Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving

(Paperback)

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From beloved CBS Sunday Morning correspondent and humorist Mo Rocca, a rigorously researched, funny and smart (Jon Stewart) book that celebrates the dead people who have long fascinated him.

Mo Rocca has always loved obituariesreading about the remarkable lives of global leaders, Hollywood heavyweights, and innovators who changed the world. But not every notable life has gotten the send-off it deserves. His quest to right that wrong inspired Mobituaries, his #1 hit podcast. But here, in this delightful, hilarious romp through history (Booklist) he has gone much further, with all-new essays on artists, entertainers, sports stars, political pioneers, founding fathers, and more. Even if you know the names, youve never understood why they matter...until now.

Take Herbert Hoover: before he was president, he was the Great Humanitarian, the man who saved tens of millions from starvation. But after less than a year in the White House, the stock market crashed, and all the good he had done seemed to be forgotten. Then theres Marlene Dietrich, well remembered as a screen goddess, less remembered as a great patriot. Alongside servicemen on the front lines during World War II, she risked her life to help defeat the Nazis of her native Germany. And what about Billy Carter and historys unruly presidential brothers Were they neer-do-well liabilitiesor secret weapons Plus, Mobits for dead sports teams, dead countries, the dearly departed station wagon, and dragons. Yes, dragons.

Rocca is an expert researcher and storyteller who offers joy for curious minds (Walter Isaacson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Steve Jobs and Leonardo da Vinci), and with his dogged reporting and trademark wit, he brings these men and women back to life like no one else can. In our fact-challenged times, Roccas joyful tour through the didja knows of history is an unexpected antidote (The New Yorker).

Reviews

"Once again Mo Rocca delivers a funny and smart offering whilst punning off his first name." --Jon Stewart

"I'm dead keen to read it and alive with joy at not being included."--P. J. O'Rourke, author of, most recently, None of My Business

"In our fact-challenged times, Rocca's joyful tour through the "didja know"s of history is an unexpected antidote."--The New Yorker

"There's an attention to detail in Rocca's book (which he penned with college friend and current professor Jonathan Greenberg) that makes it readable in both long and short bursts....You can pick up the book for a few minutes or an entire afternoon and have a satisfying experience."-- Forbes

"[Mo Rocca's obituaries have] a rare and welcome generosity of spirit...They revisit people who died long ago but were denied full appreciation. They're exhumation as celebration. --Frank Bruni, New York Times Opinion Columnist

"Mo Rocca is like a box of chocolates; the more you taste him, the more you love him. And he just gets better and better. Read on and enjoy slowly." --Angie Dickinson, Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning actress

"Mo Rocca has given us a candy bowl of tasty morsels: tales of fascinating folks that we don't know enough about. It's a joy for curious minds, and addictive reading." --Walter Isaacson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Steve Jobs and Leonardo da Vinci

"A spicy blend of humor, irony, wit, facts, fable, and heart." --Kirkus

"Impeccably researched, this book is packed with facts that are sure to give you a leg up at pub trivia.... a delightful, hilarious romp through history. Put this book in the hands of history buffs or anyone who loves a good laugh."--Booklist

Author Bio

Mo Roccais a correspondent forCBS Sunday Morning, host ofThe Henry Fords Innovation Nation,and host and creator of the Cooking ChannelsMy Grandmothers Ravioli, in which he learned to cookfrom grandmothers and grandfathers across the country.Hes also a frequent panelist on NPRs hit weeklyquiz showWait WaitDont Tell Me!Rocca spentfour seasons as a correspondent on Comedy CentralsThe Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He began hiscareer in TV as a writer and producer for the Emmy andPeabody Awardwinning PBS childrens seriesWishbone. As an actor, Mo starred on Broadway inThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Rocca isthe author ofAll the Presidents Pets, a historical novelabout White House pets and their role in presidentialdecision-making.