The beloved commentator and trusted public figure well known for his wisdom shares his thoughts on topics--ranging from relationships to science to life in general--in a heartwarming book written for his great-grandson but perfect for readers of all ages.

''When you are a great grandfather you will experience something so much more powerful and meaningful than being a father or a grandfather, that you will look at the march of generations with new eyes.'' When his great-grandson Alexander was born in 2002, Hugh Downs suddenly gained a rare perspective on the world -- he had seen the evolution of American culture through five generations (his parents', his own, his children's, his grandchildren's, and now his great-grandson's). Once Downs realized the extraordinary amount of love he experienced for his brand new descendent, as well as the profound connection he felt between them, he decided to write him a letter, to be read at different stages of Alexander's life. Letter to A Great Grandson offers wisdom, advice, and speculation about how life was, how life is, and how life may be in the future. As one of America's most trusted commentators, Downs is a grandfather figure to many, and his words will resonate with readers everywhere, at any age. Letter to A Great Grandson presents a completely new system for categorizing life. Downs has divided it into seventeen stages, ranging from infant, to post-puberty minor, to "young old," to ancient, and everything in between. This unique organization allows him to offer specific thoughts on each stage, making the book pertinent to all age levels, ideal for reading over and over again during different periods in life. Downs discusses the common problems and achievements in each stage, and along the way offers his characteristically erudite and conversational thoughts on relationships, science, sex, education, careers, literature, and life in general. He also includes touching tidbits from his own childhood, and those of his family, illustrating that sometimes one must look back, in order to look forward. Though Letter to A Great Grandson is not a how-to book, it does teach by example. It stresses the importance and joy of sharing your thoughts and feelings with the children in your life, and of actively maintaining family connections -- before it is too late. This makes it a wonderful model for great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents alike. Considering the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren (and great-grandparents and great-grandchildren), surprisingly few books address this important relationship. When this vital, n0 heartwarming subject matter is combined with Hugh Downs's unique wisdom, wit, and warmth, the result is a book that will truly be treasured.

A charming, wise and idiosyncratic series of twelve letters which give advice to the author's grandson on what it means to become a man. The letters cover fundamental, sensitive and profound matters such as the body and the physical world; smoking, alcohol and drugs; healing the body; character; culture; the role in society; the nature of men and women; relationships; sex; family and fatherhood; and religion. The book also reflects on why the unexamined life is not worth living, with the final substantial letter offering a radical approach to the philosophical and spiritual questions that all of us are likely to ask at some point in our lives. Although the book primarily addresses the needs of young men moving towards adulthood, much of its content would be of equal interest to young women. In addition, the book contains a generous appendix with suggested reading, film and music lists. Grandfathers will find this a useful handbook for discussions with grandchildren; parents will get a wider perspective of the problems their children are likely to face and what they are feeling; and if you are a young man, you are lucky indeed to have this book as a companion.

In letters filled with love, good advice, and old-fashioned common sense, Charlton Heston tells his grandson, Jack, and his readers, those things worth passing from generation to generation: lessons on sportsmanship, honesty, friendship, the outdoors, and a love of good books. Photos throughout.

A collection of more than thirty letters written by celebrities to their grandchildren gives an intimate look at the writers' own lives and how they foresee the challenges of the next generation, in a book whose proceeds benefit the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children.

Letter to My Great-Grandchild Complete this beautiful watercolor, illustrated journal with all the memories and wishes you would like to share with your Great-Grandchild. Ample space for photos, family history and stories, what life was like when you were young and so much more...