Along with collected letters of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Jefferson and Wendell Willkie, Rickles’ Letters illustrates the power of eloquent correspondence and offers universal wisdom for the ages. For example:

RICKLES TO MRS. LINCOLN: Sorry you had problems at Ford’s Theatre last night, but could you get me a couple of aisle tickets for the Saturday matinee?

RICKLES TO ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER: Lose the cigar. It’s hard enough to understand you without it.

RICKLES TO CLINT EASTWOOD: How many guys could do a movie about Iwo Jima from the Japanese point of view? I got nervous; I thought you were going to let them win!

RICKLES TO SANTA CLAUS: Kiss my jingle bells.

RICKLES TO PRESIDENT CARTER: Forget your hammers and nails and Habitat House and read my book.

RICKLES TO QUEEN ELIZABETH: Is it true your husband has a day job working at a sword factory?

RICKLES TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: Cousin Herbie was doing great selling candles until you came up with the stupid idea of flying a kite.

RICKLES TO MAYOR BLOOMBERG: What do I have to do to get a cab around here?