Description: Veteran newsman and Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert is known for his direct and unpretentious style and in this charming memoir he explains why. Russert's father is profiled as a plainspoken World War II veteran who worked two blue-collar jobs while raising four kids in South Buffalo but the elder Russert's lessons on how to live an honest, disciplined, and ethical life are shown to be universal. Big Russ and Me, a sort of Greatest Generation meets Tuesdays with Morrie, could easily have become a sentimental pile of mush with a son wistfully recalling the wisdom of his beloved dad. But both Russerts are far too down-to-earth to let that happen and the emotional content of the book is made more direct, accessible, and palatable because of it. The relationship between father and son, contrary to what one would think of as essential to a riveting memoir, seems completely healthy and positive as Tim, the academically gifted kid and later the esteemed TV star and political operative relies on his old man, a career sanitation worker and newspaper truck driver, for advice. Big Russ and Me also traces Russert's life from working-class kid to one of broadcast journalism's top interviewers by introducing various influential figures who guided him along the way, including Jesuit teachers, nuns, his dad's drinking buddies, and, most notably, the late New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, whom Russert helped get elected in 1976. Plenty of entertaining anecdotes are served up along the way from schoolyard pranks to an attempt to book Pope John Paul II on the Today Show. Though not likely to revolutionize modern thought, Big Russ and Me will provide fathers and sons a chance to reflect on lessons learned between generations. --Charlie Williams
Details: Book arrived in timely fashion and excellent condition. It was given as a gift to a friend who has commented favorably on its content
Review Summary: My wife's favorite book
Date: 2008-11-02
Details: Just great and so down to earth. What ALL kids need to learn about interacting with dads and moms and vice-versa. GOD is huge in the books.
Review Summary: a fan
Date: 2008-10-08
Details: still have not read book but was a tim russet fan...this book was a must have
Review Summary: Big Russ and Me
Date: 2008-09-29
Details: Big Russ and Me was in the condition described. The book came in a timely manner.
Cheryl
Review Summary: Heartwarming
Date: 2008-09-28
Details: We enjoyed this book very much. Listening to Tim Russert's voice made it feel like you were sharing stories with an old friend. His appreciation of his humble beginnings and up bringing are very evident. You can see why so many people connected with how he delivered the important world happenings and made it relevent to all. A great story of how simple a fathers love can be. Do not turn it off until you hear the epiloge, very tender, especially now.
out of 141 Reviews
