THE RIGHT WORDS AT THE RIGHT TIME

Thomas, author of the popular Free to Be... series, realized there'd been one unforgettable moment in her life when the right words at the right time had made all the difference. She was a teenager with her first acting role in a summer stock production, and reviewers kept comparing her to her father, Danny Thomas. His answer? "When thoroughbreds run, they wear blinders," i.e., run your own race. Figuring that other innovative, successful people might have a "custom-made catchphrase" they've remembered all their lives, Thomas asked for their stories. The results are impressive, offering pieces from politicians, comedians, athletes, intellectuals, artists, businesspeople, foreign correspondents and more. Almost all the contributors are household names, including Jimmy Carter, Muhammad Ali, Paul Newman, Gloria Steinem and Whoopi Goldberg. Most focus on inspirational advice from a parent, teacher or favorite author, although a few take the opportunity to review highlights of their own careers. There's much ado about listening to one's inner voice, being true to one's own self, and more than a few references to Sinatra's "I Did It My Way." Still, even the dull entries are mercifully brief. A good handful—Chuck Close, William Goldman, Matt Groening, Quincy Jones, Amy Tan, Tom Wolfe—have written fine essays that could stand well on their own. And some of the advice, like Shaquille O'Neal's mom's "Later doesn't always come to everybody," is worth the cover price. Royalties will help fund the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. (May 1)

Forecast:This has "graduation gift" written all over it. Its timing is perfect and will start Atria (Pocket's new imprint, of which this is the first title) off to a roaring start.