Helping Hands

Two-time Oscar® winner Denzel Washington is one of Hollywood's biggest stars, sexiest leading men, and most respected actors. Now he unveils his newest talent—author.

His first book, A Hand to Guide Me, co-written with Daniel Paisner, is a compilation of inspiring stories of 74 people whose lives have been guided by mentors—a subject he knows a lot about.

As a 6-year-old growing up in Mount Vernon, New York, Denzel found guidance from the Boys & Girls Club of America. Without their help, Denzel says he could have easily fallen into a life of drugs, crime or even jail.

"Of my three best friends [growing up], one is dead who did at least 15 to 25 years [in jail]. One was in the system for 28 years," he says. "All of them were in the system but me—and not that I'm any better, but it's the grace of God. It just wasn't for me."

Denzel credits the Boys & Girls Club for setting him on the right path and is now a spokesman for the organization. Sixty-five percent of the proceeds from sales of A Hand to Guide Me will go to support their causes.