A collection of seventeen wonderful short stories showing that two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks is as talented a writer as he is an actor. WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION FROM THE AUTHOR 'Impressive' The Times 'Funny and pitch perfect' Sunday Express 'I blink, bubble and boggle in amazed admiration' Stephen Fry 'These stories are a hit' Financial Times A small-town newspaper columnist with old-fashioned views of the modern world. A World War II veteran grappling with his emotional and physical scars. A second-rate actor plunged into sudden stardom and a whirlwind press junket. Four friends travelling to the moon in a rocket ship built in the backyard. These are just some of the stories that Tom Hanks captures with great affection, humour and insight - the human condition in all its foibles.