BOOKS . . . A DIARY OF THE CENTURY

In 67 years observing his life and era, newspaperman Edward Robb Ellis has filled his 35,000-page diary with more than 20 million words. The first volume of excerpts (Kodansha; 578 pages; $25) record practically everything Ellis said, did, thought, felt, read or saw, accompanied by copies of newspaper stories he wrote as well as letters he sent and received. "This glorious mishmash constitutes an informal history of 20th century America by an inquisitive writer," saysTIME's John Elson. "His plain Joe prose is enlivened by boundless curiosity, a wry sense of humor and a falcon-sharp eye for detail."