Comedy vet Robert Klein sold out Carnegie Hall, was one of the earliest guest hosts of Saturday Night Live (co-starring with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd in the first “Cheeseburger” sketch) and hosted HBO’s first-ever comedy special. He’ll also be here Tuesday, June 14 in conjunction with the release of his memoir, The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue, which centers around his childhood in the Bronx (that’s him on the right).

An excerpt from Klein’s book is available online via Amazon. Our favorite portion:

My entire childhood was pervaded by endless warnings and pleadings and reminders of dire consequences: “Watch out for that lamp cord! If you’re going out at night, wear white so the cars can see you! Never touch a light switch with wet hands! My God, don’t cut that bagel toward your neck!”

Statistically speaking, the possibility of serving one’s head while slicing a bagel seemed remote indeed, yet Ben and Frieda Klein took no chances. Danger lurked everywhere.