Who knows what provides the wake-up call for a kid. I believe that potential has to be inside a person to begin with in order to be brought out, but it is often found in the most unlikely young people. We should not give up on these kids. Meeting the right people, being tested by some hard times, receiving encouragement, and having a little luck can make all the difference in the world. Sometimes even that streak of rebellion and hardheadedness can mask a sense of individualism and adventuresomeness that can serve a person well and take them to some very interesting places. Don’t be too hard on the rebel without a clue. Maybe the less he does today, the more he’s going to do tomorrow.
Acknowledgments
I want to express my appreciation to Sean Desmond of Crown Publishers for having the concept for this book and believing that my stories about growing up in a small town would bring a smile and a warm feeling to a lot of folks. Also, thanks to my agent, Mel Berger, for his steadfast friendship and guidance.
In writing this book, I relied upon friends who so often have been there for me before, including Ed McFadden. He gave me wise counsel in shaping and editing the manuscript. Here I also include Alex Castellanos, whose insights and ideas have always served me well. A special thanks to Bobbie Murphy, my assistant for many years, who did everything from research and typing manuscripts to serving as my “humor meter” while she read my stories.
I am deeply indebted to Sarah Knestrick; to my children, Tony, Betsy, and Daniel; to the people I grew up with in Lawrenceburg; and especially to Mom, Dad, and Ken, all of whom created the bittersweet memories I write about and inspired a small-town boy to reach beyond his grasp.
Finally, I want to express my love and gratitude to my wife, Jeri, who not only served as my best sounding board, but helped and encouraged me in this endeavor. It is a trip I could not have made without her.
Copyright © 2010 by Fred Thompson
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Crown Forum, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
www.crownpublishing.com
CROWN FORUM with colophon is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Thompson, Fred.
Teaching the pig to dance: a memoir / Fred Thompson.—1st ed.
1. Thompson, Fred, 1942 Aug. 19– 2. Legislators—U.S.—Biography.
3. U.S. Congress. Senate—Biography. 4. Presidentional candidates—
U.S.—Biography. 5. Lawyers—Tennessee—Biography. 6. Actors—U.S.—
Biography. 7. Lawrenceburg (Tenn.)—Biography. I. Title.
E840.8.T475A3 2010
328.73′092—dc22
[B] 2009053528
eISBN: 978-0-307-46030-1
v3.0
Teaching the Pig to Dance Page 16