Walking Wisdom: Three Generations, Two Dogs, and the Search for a Happy Life

The Chopras present some life lessons through a dog's point of view in a charming new book. As Deepak's grandson Gotham engages the neighbor's dog in a blissful game of fetch, Deepak sagely observes: "What we witnessed is play and innocence at its best," or, as Gotham put it: "Dogs innately understand not just the desire for play but also the need." Chopra takes us on a series of events affecting the Chopra households, including a hilarious cross-country plane trip with an untranquilized dog, an expensive trip to Italy, and the events surrounding an elderly relative's grave illness. Along the way, we learn the valuable lessons that man's best friend can teach us: "dogs–like the universe-don't hold grudges. They forgive and evolve." The younger Chopra even relates an incident in which his dog was a better judge of character than he was. The one sour note is a lengthy detour on Michael Jackson, whose death occurs while Gotham is on a bike trip in Italy, contributing little to the book. That aside, this glimpse into the softer side of the Chopra family should significantly expand the family's fan base. (Oct.)