Home and Alone

by Daniel Stern Narrated by Daniel Stern

Overview

Daniel Stern's connection with audiences is cemented in movies like Home Alone and City Slickers, and in his debut memoir, Home and Alone, he is the Everyman narrator on a ride into the human side of Hollywood. Experience what it's like driving Robert Redford in his Porsche at 100 mph, or stripping down for a nude scene in front of a group of strangers. Share the out-of-body moments of flying alone with Mel Gibson on his jet to Las Vegas and smashing a fake mustache onto Gary Busey's face while cursing him out on the pitcher's mound of Wrigley Field. Join him in his triumphant stories like conquering his dyslexia as the voice of The Wonder Years, and his terrifying ones like being sued for $25 million by CBS and Columbia pictures. His insights into marriage, children, parents, and parenting are not only hilarious, but packed with subtle wisdom. But the real surprises are in Stern's off-screen roles as a bronze sculptor, cattle rancher, avocado farmer, and public servant. The hard work and commitment he has put into his on-screen successes are applied with the same intensity to every aspect of his life. From creating monumental public art projects and founding a Boys & Girls Club to visiting troops in Iraq and learning to birth a cow, he has lived it all. Home and Alone is for anyone who needs reminding that nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it.

Editorial Reviews

Loudon Wainwright

Danny is a real renaissance guy—actor, director , sculptor, playwright, producer, philanthropist—as well as a loyal friend and family man par excellence. In his highly entertaining memoir Home Alone with Daniel Stern his nibs takes us on a wild and crazy ride. His book is a funny, irreverent , moving and insightful look at an amazing life thus far.

Paul Reiser

Let me say this: I have read a lot of memoirs and Danny Stern’s is by far the most recent! But more than that, Danny is one of the wisest, most open-hearted and talented guys I’ve ever known and not surprisingly, his story is filled with so many great stories - funny, smart, touching and insightful. Read it for yourself and see. You will thank me.

Ernie Hudson

. . . This book is a wonderful peek behind the curtain into the brilliance that is Danny Stern. Danny’s story is inspiring and a must read for anyone learning to trust the Universe to guide them to the place where everyone says is impossible, but in your heart, you know was always meant to be.

Joe Pesci

Aside from his incredible acting talent, I have grown to know Daniel as a loving and caring family man, a passionate artist and humanitarian. I am proud to call Daniel my friend, and wish him the very best with his new book.

Kevin Bacon

. . .I loved this page turner of a memoir. It’s so fun to follow Danny on this crazy journey to pursue his art. And while so many before and after him have chased the same dream no one has done it quite like Daniel Stern. I think readers will be surprised by the twists and turns of his life and his art, but also be moved by his devotion to his family and to the greater good.

Rob Reiner

If you’re interested in Danny Stern’s life, I suggest you read this book. If you don’t care about him, read it anyway. Lotta good stories about famous people.

Billy Crystal

One thing about Danny is he’s always home, but never alone. His brilliant talent as an actor has been on display for decades, but it's the creative drive and curiosity and stretching of his many talents that will inspire readers as he opens up about his remarkable life. . . I could keep going but why? Read this wonderful memoir by a real Renaissance Man.

Rita Wilson

It is no surprise that Danny Stern has written a book as delightful, thoughtful and funny as he is. His extraordinary professionalism, as the actor we all know and love, has translated into his work as a memoirist. You will love him even more now.

Laurie Metcalf

Danny Stern has the heart and mind of an artist. His empathy, curiosity and creativity make him an incredible scene partner and fantastic friend. I always love hearing about his latest artistic endeavors, including his autobiography! Congratulations, Danny!

John Logan

Danny Stern is a genuine showbiz survivor. He's seen it all, been through everything, worked with the best (and the worst) in our business and emerged with his dignity, soul and sense of humor intact. He's also one of the kindest and funniest men I've ever met. It's a madcap journey Danny's been on and I'm glad readers will now get a chance to share it with him. So dive in with my statuesque friend and enjoy!

Library Journal

05/01/2024

Actor, director, and artist Stern shares amusing and insightful stories about his life and his many years working in show business. Readers will be grabbed immediately by his nostalgic descriptions of growing up in 1960s suburbia. He learned he was dyslexic when he was a child. His accounts of moving to New York City (alone and as a teenager) to begin an acting career are gritty. Stern is known for his roles in Home Alone, Breaking Away, and City Slickers; his long career has provided opportunities to work with many famous people on various productions. His work in movies, plays, and TV supplies the backdrop for many anecdotes, written in an engaging and friendly tone. His collection of good, bad, and usually comical encounters with a laundry list of celebrities, including Joe Pesci, Robert Redford, Donald Trump, Barbra Streisand, and more, will entertain readers. VERDICT Stern's life, from a dyslexic child to a successful movie actor, is fascinating. Mixing behind-the-scenes insights from iconic movies with witty accounts of interactions with Hollywood A-listers creates a top-notch celebrity memoir.—Kathaleen McCormick

Kirkus Reviews

2024-01-30
The actor discusses his career on the stage and in film, and his life focusing on the value of art and public service.

Now 66, Stern, perhaps best known for his roles in Home Alone and City Slickers, is no longer "the precocious teenager who moved to New York as a seventeen-year-old, at least ten years younger than all of my friends, the youngest dad at all my kids’ school events.” As he discusses his childhood in Maryland, his introduction to the theater, and writing a musical version of Lord of the Flies, the author's love of the work shows through on every page—as does his family’s legacy of a strong work ethic (his mother told him, “I don’t care what you do but you are out of this house when you turn eighteen”). Realizing that “academics were not going to get me anywhere,” he committed to acting. After some early stage work, he began working in films, appearing in a number of critically successful projects in the late 1970s and early ’80s, including Breaking Away and Diner. Stern analyzes key moments in the development of his craft, as well as the twists and turns of a very public life, which included work with the USO and the experience of being sued for $25 million over a TV show. Although readers may pick up the book to learn more about Hollywood, his focus on his work-life balance brings some of the most memorable passages, from his narration and directing work in the TV series The Wonder Years (which included no on-screen billing), which helped him overcome his childhood dyslexia, to his experience working with the Boys & Girls Club and his lifelong focus on public service.

A fascinating and funny look at the life of a famous actor who found further fulfillment through giving back.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940192694305
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	07/09/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged

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