We can probably go ahead and add this to next year's Gift Guide for People Who Still Read Books: Dick Cheney is writing a book about his many, many heart surgeries (and five heart attacks). The former vice president is co-authoring the book with his cardiologist, Dr. Jonathan Reiner, and his daughter, Liz Cheney.

"It explains and talks about all the developments in cardiology by going through my own case," the former vice president said Monday during a brief telephone interview. "I'm alive today because of the tremendous advances that have been made."

The book will chronicle Cheney's heart through the years, starting with his first heart attack in 1978 and his four other heart attacks in the 34 years since. No word if the book will cover other incidents involving Cheney's bad heart, like the time he shot his friend in the face with a shotgun or the time(s) he helped engineer the disastrous invasion of two countries.

Cheney says his current health is "nothing short of a miracle" because two years ago he was in "end-state heart failure." But now he's "better than [he's] been in years," so much so that he can hang out in rivers killing fish.

"I spent a lot of time on the river this summer," he said, "and enjoying the finer things in life."

How nice. Also of note: Cheney says the new book will be "non-political," which probably means it won't include any discussion about how his government-provided health care helped to save his life. Too bad.

[Image via AP]