"Mother Knew Best" by Elsa and David Hornfischer is a wonderful collection of wit and wisdom from the moms of successful and famous people.

Mother Knew Best is an inspiring and heartwarming collection of 101 wisdom, support, advice and wit from mothers of famous celebrities like FD Roosevelt, Nelson Mandela, Elvis Presley and Mother Teresa.

The book is in the form of anecdotes and quotations, provides insights of the mothers who nurtured and loved their children through life challenges, to eventually become successful people. It is categorized into seven basic virtues, namely, ambition, courage, devotion, faith, perspective, responsibility, and self-discipline.

Mother Knew Best is a perfect gift for moms, be it Mother's Day, birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion. The Hornfischers carefully chose with care the people they have included. The mother of Martin Luther King, Jr. is heard ("you must never feel that you are less than anybody else") or of Elvis Presley's ("Son, take this guitar – you're not going to get a rifle"), and other great moms … a joyous celebration of motherhood.

Ambition

Ambition is a strong desire for attainment, often equated to drive, high spirit or aspiration. Mothers encourage their children to make something of themselves, to practice more and to never give up. There is an ambitious mother encouraging and supporting her child's efforts.

Famous children include Frank Lloyd Wright, Booker T. Washington, Colin Powell, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Henry Fonda, Norman Vincent Peale and Douglas MacArthur

Courage

Celebrity stories involve mothers whose children learned their lessons well, building upon them a foundation during difficult times. These mothers exemplify and demonstrate courage by word and action. Others go to extreme sacrifices to provide opportunity for their children.

Famous children include Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, Henry Kissinger, Geraldine Ferraro, Hans Christian Andersen, Andrew Jackson and Carl Sandburg

Devotion

There is often a devoted mother behind a successful person. It's been said that a child who grows up with devotion is on the road to success. A mother is dedicated to her children's growth and development, and provides affection and loyalty.

Famous children include Elvis Presley, Leonard Bernstein, Dr. Charles Mayo, Bill Cosby, Sigmund Freud, F.D. Roosevelt, Duke Ellington and Judy Garland

Faith

Faith is rooted in a personal belief system, and whether a mother introduces her child to belief in a God, or beauty of nature, she provides a source of lifelong faith. This section features both religious and secular faith, standing as a major source of inspiration to famous children.

Famous children include Muhammad Ali, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, R.L. Stevenson, Diana Ross, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton

Perspective

Perspective is all about a focused and clear view of things and people that help a life of purpose and direction. Instead of being negative in approaching situations, some mothers see value and beauty in little things, appreciate blessings, and inject humor to life.

Famous children include Rachel Carson, W.C. Fields, Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope, Will Rogers, Harry Truman, Meryl Streep and Shirley Temple Black

Responsibility

When a mother provides an environment of openness and acceptance, a child is likely to be honest, and to take responsibility for his/her actions. Mothers foster responsibility in their children's conduct to make them successful decision makers.

Famous children include H.W. Longfellow, J.F. Kennedy, Mark Twain, David Letterman, Lauren Bacall, Patsy cline, Louisa May Alcott and Harry Houdini

Self-Discipline

Disciplined people control their behaviour and their thoughts. A disciplined life is often based on practice, to attain excellence. In these stories, mothers inspire their children to achieve excellence by learning self-control, in turn, possessing a willpower to succeed.

Famous children include Christa McAuliffe, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ginger Rogers, Albert Einstein, Jimmy Carter, Dale Carnegie, Henry ford, Martina Navratilova, Bill Gates and Margaret Thatcher