'Here's the Deal - Don't Touch Me' by Howie Mandel

Fans of Howie Mandel already know that he's a funny guy, but he's also dealing with some serious issues. Here's the Deal - Don't Touch Me offers a glimpse into daily life with OCD and ADHD, but adds Mandel's off-beat and self-deprecating sense of humor into the mix. The result is an honest and meaningful collection of stories and memories that will make you laugh, pull at your heartstrings, and walk away with a lot of respect for Mandel and his family.

Howie Mandel is many things to many people: husband, father, son, comedian, game show host, friend, celebrity. He's also a man who battles every day with OCD and ADHD. How does someone with such a public life deal with these often-debilitating conditions? According to his book, Here's the Deal - Don't Touch Me, he handles it with a combination of humor and therapy.

Many celebrity bios serve up plenty of fluff and little substance, but Mandel's book is just the opposite. From descriptions of what's going on in his mind at the very moment he's writing, to painfully honest admissions from various stages of his life, Don't Touch Me is a candid and raw look into Mandel's past and present.

Fans have known for a long time that Howie Mandel is afraid of germs, which is the reason he greets contestants on Deal or No Deal with a fist bump rather than a handshake. Reading his book, however, it quickly becomes clear that Mandel's OCD runs far deeper, often causing paralyzing moments that he must work through in order to function.

Mandel walks us through his hospitalization in January, 2009, and explains the exact cause and subsequent follow-ups. He describes his emotions and reactions during other pivotal moments of his life, and gives us examples of just how terrifying his OCD can be.

Such serious subject matter could easily become heavy reading, but Mandel has written this book with his trademark humor, providing true laugh-out-loud moments and lots of one-liners. You'll find yourself rooting for him as he describes the various highs and lows of his career, and, ironically, many times you'll want to just give him a big hug.

Here's the Deal - Don't Touch Me feels like a conversation in which the author is seeking both understanding and acceptance, while at the same time entertaining us with great stories from his personal and professional life. It is also a touching tribute to his wife, kids, and parents, who have supported Howie Mandel unconditionally. This is an excellent book for people who love Deal or No Deal, are fans of any of Mandel's comedic works, those who suffer with OCD/ADHD, and those who enjoy reading biographies with substance.