cover image Papa, My Father: A Celebration of Dads

Papa, My Father: A Celebration of Dads

Leo F. Buscaglia. Slack, $12.95 (125pp) ISBN 978-0-688-08929-0

Popular TV personality and lecturer Buscaglia is certain to attract readers to his latest, a memoir infused with the genuine sentiment of his previous bestsellers ( Personhood , Loving Each Other , etc.) and rich in stories of an enviable family. The author recalls growing up with Papa, Rocco Bartolomeo, an Italian immigrant, and his wife Rosina in Los Angeles. The book is a paean to Papa, ``the near saint,'' who was uneducated but a great teacher to his children on vital matters, especially on how to love. Buscaglia learned also lessons on ecology from Papa the gardener, wine-making, combatting bigotry, appreciating democracy and, not least, how to have fun. The father who died at age 88 lives for the reader in his son's reminiscences of a rare human being. Illustrations not seen by PW. First serial to Redbook; BOMC alternate. (June)