SAM HARRIS reads from HAM: SLICES OF A LIFE

Ham: Slice of Life: Essays and Stories (Gallery Books)

ham (noun) [haem] 
1 the hind leg of a hog, salted, smoked, and cured 
2 second son of Noah 
3 somebody who performs in an exaggerated showy style 
-always hamming it up

Just when you thought you knew everything about ham, you discover that ham is also: 
4 a reason to laugh about everyday life, and 
5 an irresistible collection of humorous essays from a man who was born to entertain us.

In sixteen brilliantly observed true stories, Sam Harris emerges as a natural humorist in league with David Sedaris, Chelsea Handler, Carrie Fisher, and Steve Martin, but with a voice uniquely his own. Praised by the Chicago Sun-Times for his "manic, witty commentary," and with a storytelling talent the New York Times calls "New Yorker- worthy," he puts a comedic spin on full-disclosure episodes from his own colorful life.

What better place to find painfully funny material than in growing up gay, gifted, and ambitious in the heart of the Bible belt? And that's just the first cut: From partying to parenting, from Sunday school to getting sober, these slices of Ham will have you laughing and wiping away salty tears in equal measure with their universal and down-to-earth appeal. After all, there's a little ham in all of us.

Sam Harris's diversified career has run the gamut from multi-million-selling sinder and songwriter to Tony-nominated actor to writer, director and producer. After winning over a weekly audience of more than 25 million viewers as the first winner of Star Search, Sam has toured extensively in concert. He resides in Los Angeles with his husband and their son.