November 15, 2005

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—The University of West Alabama will host a book signing and reception for Alabama Senator Henry “Hank” Sanders (D) on Thursday, Nov. 17 from 1-2 p.m. in the Bell Conference Center.

Sanders will sign his first published book, “Death of a Fat Man,” a fictitious novel written in the form of a letter to a four-year-old granddaughter. The 415-page work, written in vignettes, describes the “fat man’s” struggle with obesity and the impact of his weight on every facet of his live.

“I wanted to be as honest as I could be,” Sanders said. “Sometimes with fiction you can be more honest than you can when you are writing an autobiography.”

Sanders began working on the novel about 12 years ago, putting it aside after writing only a few chapters. He returned to it two years ago, as he struggled to lose weight in hopes of improving his own health and mental state.

Senator Sanders, now in his sixth term, represents Autauga, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Lowndes, Marengo, Monroe, Perry and Wilcox counties. An attorney, Sanders also writes a weekly column published in two daily and a number of weekly newspapers and distributed widely in other arenas.