Connecticut Characters: 101 Memorable Profiles is a collection of the most popular profiles and colorful accounts written by long-time columnist Randall Beach. His columns were written over a span of 40 years and are fondly remembered by many New Haven Register readers. When Randall began writing the column, some of his newsroom colleagues dubbed the subjects “creep of the week” because often the subjects were so odd and eccentric. But none of them were “creeps;” they simply had a different way of looking at the world and of living. He always strove to give them dignity along with recognition. His writings always strike an affectionate tone and are often humorous, but never mocking. The individuals that he wrote were from all over Connecticut––well beyond the New Haven area. The collection focuses on some well-known people, such as former Yale University President A. Bartlett Giamatti, but mostly the profiles are of people, some colorful, who are part of the fabric of the state. It’s a remarkable and fascinating collection of profiles about people from all different walks of life around Connecticut.

Anyone who has lived near New Haven, Connecticut, in the past 40-plus years has surely heard of Toad's Place. With a capacity of 750, Toad's has served as the perfect spot for musicians who prefer smaller venues. U2 played one of their first US concerts there, on their Boy tour. In 1978, Bruce Springsteen was in New Haven and arrived at Toad's unannounced, and got up and played. The surprises kept coming and the club was attracting big names, as well as up-and-comers. In 1989, the Rolling Stones played a surprise show on a Saturday night, giving 700 fans the night of their dreams. Nothing could have been better--the Rolling Stones in downtown New Haven was unimaginable! That is only a taste of the stories that are uncovered in this book. Randall Beach and Toad's owner Brian Phelps recall the legendary shows and behind-the-scenes stories.