When we become a really mature, grown-up, wise society, we will put teachers at the center of the community, where they belong. We don't honor them enough, we don't pay them enough.

I can't say that I've changed anybody's life, ever, and that's the real work of the world, if you want a better society.

I could tell you which writer's rhythms I am imitating. It's not exactly plagiarism, it's falling in love with good language and trying to imitate it.

America is a great story and there is a river on every page of it.

I was on the high school track team, believe it or not, and played baseball, poorly but passionately.

When I was a little boy I used to borrow my father's hat, and make a press card to stick in the hat band. That was the way reporters were always portrayed in the movies.

You never heard anybody ask 'Elvis who?'