The Right Words

When Marlo Thomas was an 18-year-oldwords" stories. The result is Thomas' new book, "The
up-and-coming actress, she was devastated whenRight Words at the Right Time, Vol. 2: Your Turn!"
journalists began debating whether she'd ever be as(Atria Books, $25), a moving collection of 101
good or popular as her famous father, TV star Dannyunforgettable stories in which everyday Americans
Thomas. She went to him in tears, insisting that sherecall the pivotal moment in their lives when words
wanted to change her name.made all the difference.
"I raised you to be a thoroughbred," Danny told hisLike the tale of a Gulf War veteran, whose life was
daughter. "They wear blinders and run their own race.transformed by two words spoken to him by a young
That's what you have to do: run your own race."stranger at Burger King. Or the aimless mechanic, who
That single comment inspired Thomas' wildly popularfound salvation in a Help Wanted ad. Or the bereaved
2002 best-seller, "The Right Words at the Right Time,"fiancé of a 9-11 victim, who found hope in a note
a collection of first-person stories about the power ofleft by a schoolgirl, pinned to a teddy bear.
words by such icons as Paul McCartney and OprahRoyalties from sales will benefit St. Jude Children's
Winfrey.Research Hospital, which was founded by Danny
After the book's release, people from across theThomas.
country approached Marlo to share their own "right