Home and Alone - by Daniel Stern (Paperback)

About the Book

"Simply a must read for anyone who seeks a behind-the-scenes peek of some of Hollywood's classic films . . . Beginning with his film debut in Breaking Away, Daniel Stern has grown up on-screen before our very eyes. His 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. Buckle up and 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 total 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 in front of a sellout crowd. 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. Touching and hysterical, often at the same time, Stern gives readers a peek at the highs and lows of a Hollywood career, and a closer look at the movies they love and the people who make them. Inspiring as it is humorous, Stern weaves a compelling tale of an artistic hippie-child of the 60's, who by age thirteen had hitchhiked his way across the Eastern half of the U.S.A. By age seventeen he had dropped out of high school and was living on his own in New York, and by nineteen he was starting a family of his own. 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"--

Book Synopsis

Simply a must read for anyone who seeks a behind-the-scenes peek of some of Hollywood's classic films. . .

Beginning with his film debut in Breaking Away, Daniel Stern has grown up on-screen before our very eyes. His 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. Buckle up and 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 total 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 in front of a sellout crowd. 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. Touching and hysterical, often at the same time, Stern gives readers a peek at the highs and lows of a Hollywood career, and a closer look at the movies they love and the people who make them.

Inspiring as it is humorous, Stern weaves a compelling tale of an artistic hippie-child of the 60's, who by age thirteen had hitchhiked his way across the Eastern half of the U.S.A. By age seventeen he had dropped out of high school and was living on his own in New York, and by nineteen he was starting a family of his own. 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.

Review Quotes

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.

About the Author

Daniel Stern is well known for his roles in Home Alone, City Slickers, Breaking Away, Diner, Whip It, Very Bad Things, Hannah and Her Sisters, and Blue Thunder. He created the role of "The Narrator" for the iconic TV show, The Wonder Years, and directed the fantasy baseball movie Rookie of the Year. He is currently starring in Apple TV's For All Mankind and is set to direct and star in Everything's Peachy, a film adaptation of his Off-Broadway hit play. Aside from show business, Mr. Stern (DanielStern.com) is a bronze sculptor and has created numerous monumental works for cities throughout Southern California. He is also a cattle rancher, avocado farmer and a public servant. He was presented with The President's Call to Service Award from President Obama for his extraordinary volunteer work with youth and families, notably with The Boys and Girls Club. He and his wife of 45 years are the proud parents of a doctor, a musician and a California state senator, as well as a growing number of ambitious grandchildren.