Tuning In
by Sally Stone

©2001 King Features Synd., Inc.

When television first entered American life in the 1940s after World War II, doomsayers predicted that it would lead to the end of reading. As it happened, the publishing industry has grown geometrically over the last 60 years, thanks, in large part, to TV.

The medium has introduced people to books they might never have looked into, by such writers as Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, G.K. Chesterton and the Bard himself, William Shakespeare. Whenever one of their works is produced for television, people rush to buy their books or borrow them from the library. So, kudos to TV for helping to keep both the classics and current books rolling off the presses.

What has also happened over the years is a continuing run of books about television. Here are three you might want to give to someone, or put on your own bookshelf:

•"The Emmys: The Ultimate, Unofficial Guide to the Battle of TV’s Best Shows and Greatest Stars" by Thomas O’Neil and Peter Bart. A must for TV fans. ($24.95.)

(Note: To find a book of special interest to any TV fan on your gift list, log on to barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com and search under Television.)

•For seniors, Sid Caesar has released a follow up to last year’s "Sid Caesar Collection." His new video, on both VHS and DVD, is "The Sid Caesar Collection: The Fan Favorites." Check out his Web site, www.SidCaesar.com, for ordering information.

•For "Star Trek" fans, there’s "MIND MELD: Secrets Behind the Voyage of a Lifetime" (DVD and VHS), with William Shatner (Captain Jim Kirk) and Leonard Nimoy (Commander Spock) sharing thoughts about the show and their longtime friendship. To order, log on to Shatner’s Web site: www.williamshatner.com.

Happy Holiday viewing.