Back to previous page June 25, 2006 Tri-Valley Herald Dublin man compiles book of advice for son What began as a scrapbook turned into a book with pearls of wisdom from Walter Cronkite and other modern-day heroes By Rebecca F. Johnson, STAFF WRITER DUBLIN — Charles Acquisto wanted to create something memorable for his son Nick's first birthday, so he began contacting people he admired seeking advice on success, love and happiness. Beginning in July 2001, he wrote to his favorite sports legends, movie stars and political leaders on his lunch breaks with the request they pass on wisdom they had learned in their endeavors by writing a letter to his son. He included a self-addressed stamped envelope and a sample page beginning "Dear Nick" to encourage the letter-writers to craft their prose in their own handwriting. "I wanted to do something different and special for him for his first birthday," said Acquisto, a health-care lawyer who lives in Dublin with wife, Terri, and Nick,now 5, Gabrielle, 2, and stepson Matthew, 16. "I wasn't sure if there would be a lot of response." Although some failed to respond, plenty of letters came in. Acquisto presented two boxes filled with binders containing them on Nick's birthday. He had kept the project a surprise from everyone until that moment. Yet it wasn't until one letter came from Richard Branson, entrepreneur of the Virgin music label and airlines, that praised Charles' idea for a "wonderful book," when the former sports journalist decided to pursue it. "I never intended it to be a book, but it did plant a seed in my mind," he said. Earlier this year, Running Press published "Wisdom to Grow On: Incredible Letters and Inspiring Advice for Getting the Most Out of Life," a compilation of quotations peppered with copies of the original letters Acquisto gathered. Henry Winkler states, "No one is better than you are, so fill your mind, your body and your spirit with the world around you"; Walter Cronkite muses, "You can be competitive and still be a good person, for success is always more permanent when you achieve it without destroying your principles"; and Arnold Palmer imparts, "Know the importance of when and how to say thank you." Many of the letters hail from Baltimore connections, the area where Acquisto grew up and some writers, such as Herb Brooks — who led the U.S. Olympic hockey team to a gold medal victory in 1980 — have since passed. While all the people included in the book achieved success in their respective fields, they are an eclectic mix of young and old, female and male, people from different professions, races and backgrounds, all by Acquisto's design. "People might not always take the same path," he said. To help those less fortunate achieve success, Acquisto decided to donate all proceeds from the book to the Good Tidings Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports youth education, recreation and arts programs. Acquisto has served on the group's scholarship committee for the past five years. To Terri Acquisto, the fact her husband chose not to profit off other people's words is testament to his character, and she is happy with the way the birthday-present-turned-book came out. "We've just got a lot of good response from our family and friends," she said. Although the book is in its second printing of 8,000 copies after selling 11,000 in its first, the 39-year-old Acquisto defines success in the fact that Nick is thriving at age 5. "To me, that was the ultimate success story — to be able to raise a family," he said. Rebecca Johnson can be reached at (925) 416-4882 or rjohnson@trivalleyherald.com. Copyright 2006 ANG Newspapers Back to previous page

©2006 Ted Weinstein Literary Management