Hello Goodbye Hello, Craig Brown

It’s a book that weaves together 101 meetings between some of the most iconic figures of the past 20^th century. The book is structured as a daisy chain, where each encounter leads to another, creating a captivating narrative that spans history, art, and entertainment. There’s the meeting between Groucho Marx and T.S. Eliot, where they both ended up discussing topics they weren't particularly interested in. The book also delves into more poignant moments, such as the eerie warning Alec Guinness gave to James Dean about his new car, which foreshadowed Dean's fatal accident. One of the most intriguing aspects of "Hello Goodbye Hello" is how it highlights the interconnectedness of historical figures. For instance, you can link Helen Keller to Madonna through Martha Graham, showing just how small the world of the famous can be. Brown's research ensures that each story is grounded in fact, though some readers might find a few anecdotes a bit hard to believe.

The book's unique structure, with each chapter exactly 1001 words long, adds to its charm, though I didn’t know the point. Perhaps it’s Brown displaying his skill to keep the narrative flowing despite this constraint. The book is both entertaining and educational, making it perfect for anyone interested in history, literature, or pop culture.