Thus begins Alec Baldwin’s new book, “A Promise to Ourselves: A Journey Through Fatherhood and Divorce”, a book that details his nasty divorce and custody battle with fellow actor Kim Basinger. Baldwin goes wide however, taking a macro look at the family law system, calling it a “disgraceful mess”, and discussing fathers’ rights and the controversial diagnosis, Parental Alienation System (PAS).

While Baldwin does address the now-infamous voicemail recording in which he called his child a “rude, thoughtless little pig”, he doesn’t however sling mud at Basinger:

What stories someone’s own imagination can come up with will be far more satisfying, in that regard, than the truth. Necessity demands that I include some of the particulars of my own case, but only those germane to the book’s purpose. However, you will come away disappointed if you hope to find a bitter, angry attack against my ex-wife.

What follows will disappoint those who hoped to find a gossipy, salacious tale of a show business marriage gone bad. Tabloid publications have already put out enough such stories about my protracted divorce and ensuing custody battle. I do not feel compelled to set that record straight. Think what you will.

Kudos to him for that, but while I’m very interested in the issues he raises, I’m not sure that I’m inclined to pick up this particular book. Have you read it? Thoughts?

Here’s a lengthy excerpt.

09.24.2008 Bitter, Divorce, Fathers, In the news, Legal