Everyone’s favorite Class War Enthusiast John Edwards–okay, maybe he’s tied with Lou Dobbs these days–sent me a little note yesterday morning to remind me that his wife Elizabeth has a new book out this week, Saving Grace: 

Dear Shawn, Americans face challenges that our parents and grandparents never dreamed of — terrorism, the war in Iraq, good jobs being shipped overseas, working hard and still living in poverty. Sometimes it’s easy to forget what’s most important — home and family.

Now, I’ve picked on Edwards a lot, but I have to say I admire his willingness to call out our sissy grandparents. I mean, when I hear all this whining about the Great Depression I just want to say, “Ever heard of Enron? Y’all never even dreamed of how bad we got it.” Who in the 1930s ever worked hard and still lived in poverty? And what are World War II, Korea and Vietnam when placed alongside Iraq? Grandparents…they just don’t get it! They’re still totally worth keeping around, though, because home and family are most important. 

That’s why I wanted to take a moment to write you about Elizabeth’s new book, “Saving Graces: Finding Solace and Strength from Friends and Strangers.” Elizabeth’s book is about how people and the relationships we create — with friends, family, colleagues, even strangers — make life worth living.

Great. This is really going to take the wind out of my sails just as I sit down to write You’re Better off Alone: Strangers Who Only Want to Mug You, Friends Who Just ‘Borrow’ Money and How You Too Can Find Solace in an Off-The-Grid Bunker.

Elizabeth is the love of my life and I’m so lucky to have had her by my side for all these years. Her book had a few surprises for me. I did not think she’d include her impressions from our first date (mixed) or that our son Jack was born with hair the same as mine — never out of place. But it’s all there — our good times and our bad times.

Whoa, John, show a little humility when it comes to that hair, pal. I mean, it’s definitely great and when I stare at its perfectly aligned strands I begin to see Intelligent Designers’ point and, indeed, feel the presence of Gawd, but you should let other people point that out. When you say it, it just sounds like you and the kid are bragging. Remember, barring a Constitutional Amendment, people with bad hair will still be able to vote in 2008 and outreach can never start too soon. (I am starting the petition process for the Amendment, though, and I think we’ve got a shot. But it’s a black op. You need to keep your hands–and hair–clean.) And what is wrong with Elizabeth? Mixed impressions on the first date? Didn’t you take her to Wendy’s? Wait, that was the first anniversary. Still, didn’t she see the genetic possibilities encoded in that wondrous hair?

Anyway, that’s enough of that, except to say there’s no word on whether Saving Graces $24.95 cover price will be reduced in the Other America.