Michael Mattocks and John Prendergast, co-authors of Unlikely Brothers, recently sat down for a conversation with Today Show host Ann Curry at McNally Jackson, a bookstore in the Soho neighborhood of Manhattan. Like the book, the talk touched on Michael and John’s unlikely brotherhood and friendship, which has spanned a quarter century.
The two men swapped stories of shared trials and misadventures, inviting attendees into an intimate conversation between old friends. The audience found it amusing when Michael recounted the boredom of his first library visit with John, while talking about the book he had just written. The conversation became emotional when Ann asked Michael what he thought his life would be like without John. After much thought, and with a tear in his eye, he replied, “A whole lot worse. A whole lot worse.”
John then followed that it was Michael who showed him it was possible to be a great husband and father, regardless of your past. The way Michael loved his wife and sons gave John hope.
Ms. Curry opened the floor to questions, and every question was thoughtful and spurred new threads of the conversation that ultimately revealed how, although they were unlikely brothers, Michael and John were indeed family, with a bond that continues to strengthen to this day.
CSPAN2’s Book TV will air a recording of the event twice this weekend. Tune in at 7 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, Aug. 13 or 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14.