I Took a Lickin' and Kept on Tickin'

For fans of syndicated newspaper columnist Grizzard ( Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night ) this half-of-a-humor-book will be better than none. The first portion of his autobiography chronicles Grizzard's early medical adventures and misadventures--he was born with a defective heart--and produces a laugh in every paragraph. But when, midway through the book he describes the major cardiac surgery that came perilously close to ending his life, there is scant opportunity for smiles. The closing chapters about the power of prayer sermonize rather than entertain. This is Grizzard's 17th book. Author tour. (Dec.)