This week, let’s get in our Pacers and travel back to 1978. That was the year in which Annie Hall won the Best Picture Oscar (April), the comic strip Garfield debuted (June), and the Camp David Peace Accords between Egypt and Israel were signed (September).
For some reason, it was not a good year for serial murderers. Ted Bundy was captured (for the last time) in February, the Hillside Strangler(s) claimed their last victim in February, the Son of Sam was sentenced to life in prison in June, and John Wayne Gacy was arrested in December. Everyone must have breathed a sigh of relief when 1979 rolled around…
But let’s concentrate on some good times. For a true blast from the past, pick up one of these New York Times Best Sellers for the week of February 12, 1978:
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FICTION:
1 – The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
2 – The Thorn Birds by Colleen Mccullough
3 – The Black Marble by Joseph Wambaugh
4 – The Honorable Schoolboy by John Le Carré
5 – Bloodline by Sidney Sheldon
6 – Illusions by Richard Bach
7 – The Women’s Room by Marilyn French
8 – Daniel Martin by John Fowles
9 – Dreams Die First by Harold Robbins
10 – The Immigrants by Howard Fast
11 – Beggarman, Thief by Irwin Shaw
12 – The Book of Merlyn by Terence H. White
13 – Dynasty by Robert S. Elegant
14 – Delta of Venus by Anais Nin
15 - KG 200 by J.D. Gilman and John Clive
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NONFICTION:
1 – All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot
2 – The Complete Book of Running by James F. Fixx
3 – The Second Ring of Power by Carlos Castaneda
4 – The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
5 – Coming Into the Country by John Mcphee
6 – Gnomes by Wil Huygen, Illustrated by Rien Poortvliet
7 – The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden
8 – My Mother/My Self by Nancy Friday
9 – Looking Out for Number One by Robert Ringer
10 – Inner Skiing by W. Timothy Gallwey and Robert Kriegel
11 – Essays of E.B. White by E.B. White
12 – The Book of Lists by David Wallechhinsky, Irving Wallace and Amy Wallace
13 – The Woman’s Dress for Success Book by John Malloy
14 – Arnold: The Education of a Body Builder by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Douglas Kent Hall
15 – Designing Your Face by Way Bandy
