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