Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyed The Book
Review:
Evn though the reviews are more against than for the book-I personally enjoyed it. It is honest and forthcoming. Ok Dad wasn't the perfect father, but he was dad...he was there...he loved, and the son speaks of him as more of a hero than a father figure (I found that very respectful). Remember no home or life is perfect, and at the end of the day...what you do find is love in a family like this. I highly applaud this author and his book.
Other great books to read:The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter,Nightmares Echo, Running With Scissors,Three Weeks With My Brother
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyed The Book
Review: Even though the reviews are more against than for the book-I personally enjoyed it. It is honest and forthcoming. Ok Dad wasn't the perfect father, but he was dad...he was there...he loved, and the son speaks of him as more of a hero than a father figure (I found that very respectful). Remember no home or life is perfect, and at the end of the day...what you do find is love in a family like this. I highly applaud this author and his book. <br />Other great books to read:The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter,Nightmares Echo<br />
Rating: 
Summary: I put this down after 20 pages
Review: A friend gave me an advance copy of this book about a month ago, and 20 pages into it, I put it down. Why? I couldn't bring myself to take seriously the personal didactics of one who in his professional life lends credence to the likes of James Carville and Mary Matalin. Russert's image is of one who asks the "tough" questions of his guests on Meet The Press, but has he ever addressed the issue of how lobbyists have literally taken control of our political system? Has he ever asked himself why the media is more concerned with polls and with the "horserace" of an election than with the serious issues of the day.....and why the media offers so little context regarding those issues? When Russert has Brokaw on his show and asks THOSE types of questions, I might consider him a journalist. Until then: just another Washington insider who relishes the status quo. And why would anyone want to read about the path that took him to that lamentable place in life?
Rating:
Summary: Ack! Ack!
Review: Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack!
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Gift to Big Russ
Review: Bookstores have been gearing up for Father's Day for some time now, lining their front displays with titles dad is sure to enjoy: sports, grilling, amusing how-tos. Pretty standard stuff. But once in a while a book comes along that supersedes the silly.BIG RUSS & ME, by Tim Russert, is one of these rare finds. Russert, the popular host of NBC's "Meet the Press," wrote this tribute to his father, Tim Senior, a member of what has become known as "the greatest generation." A hard-working, spiritual and devoted family man who served his country during World War II, the elder Russert represents the millions of fathers (and mothers) who sacrificed to make their children's lives better. The Russert family grew up in a blue-collar section of Buffalo, NY, where Tim Senior instilled in the author and his three sisters the qualities of discipline, respect, honesty and faith that, for whatever reason, are sometimes lacking from parents today. In the minds of younger readers, Russert might as well have written his book a hundred years ago. Imagine having to walk to school, including "sir" or "ma'am" when addressing adults, or having to do chores. It wasn't punishment --- it was expected and not open to discussion or bargaining. Writers of a certain age often recall a time and place in which television shows were broadcast in black and white, no one locked their doors, kids always had friends to play with and people watched out for one another. Compare that with today's omnipresent security alarms, motion detectors and play-dates. Russert writes fondly of his Jesuit education. Its extension of discipline helped him focus on excelling in college and law school. He worked hard to put himself through school, not just because his parents could ill-afford tuition and other expenses. As Big Russ said, you appreciate it more when you earn it yourself. The era in which he grew up was difficult: the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. had profound effects on his circle, as did the social unrest of the sixties. Through it all, however, he remained close to his father while many of his contemporaries rebelled against their parents' values. Russert is not a name-dropper. He was fortunate enough to know several people who were very influential to his maturation, and he mentions these relationships (his chapters on Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Pope John Paul II are especially warm) more in thankfulness than to inflate his own ego. His self-effacement ("I have a face for radio") seems genuine, not put-on, which makes BIG RUSS & ME even more enjoyable. The saying goes (approximately): "When I was a teenager I thought my father didn't know anything. It's amazing how much smarter he became once I got older." This is definitely not Russert's credo. Indeed, he has always sought his dad's advice and opinions; even now, in his high-powered capacity as host of one of television's venerated staples, he is not satisfied until Big Russ gives his feedback. (Not to psychoanalyze, but one doesn't get the impression that Russert, Jr. is in dire need of Senior's approval.) Being "men," it's not unusual that expressive feelings exchanged between fathers and sons are underplayed. This is one reason why BIG RUSS & ME is so welcome. And the love and respect between the generations continues through the author's son, Luke. Relationships, especially for today's parents, seem much more difficult, thanks in no small part to the myriad distractions and competitions for their kids' attention that simply didn't exist fifty years ago. All vie for the child's attention and some can be very seductive, especially when the folks want him to do something that isn't cool, like get good grades or clean up his room. Russert's apotheosis is a wonderful gift to Big Russ, an expression of love and gratitude that makes all the hard work seem worthwhile. It's even better that the old timer is still around to enjoy the accolades the book will no doubt engender. So, what did you say you were doing for your dad this year? --- Reviewed by Ron Kaplan
Rating:
Summary: I Enjoyed The Book
Review: Evn though the reviews are more against than for the book-I personally enjoyed it. It is honest and forthcoming. Ok Dad wasn't the perfect father, but he was dad...he was there...he loved, and the son speaks of him as more of a hero than a father figure (I found that very respectful). Remember no home or life is perfect, and at the end of the day...what you do find is love in a family like this. I highly applaud this author and his book. Other great books to read:The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter,Nightmares Echo, Running With Scissors,Three Weeks With My Brother
Rating:
Summary: If you read the book, write about the book!
Review: First, those one star reviews tell nothing about the book, and are only intended as personal assaults on Tim Russert as an interviewer on Meet The Press. makes me wonder if they even picked the book up, never mind read it.
That said, I found it to be a celebration of a man whose son is justifiably proud of him. Those of us whose fathers (and mothers) grew up in the depression and survived World War II understand and and admire that generation beyond words. Sometimes the writing is a little sappy, but who among us doesn't get sentimental about parents they loved and admired. Maybe I'm an easy sell because I see so much of my own father (he passed away in 1996), and maybe it is also because my son and I have a close relationship, and love and respect for each other unconditionally.
If you weren't as fortunate as Tim Russert and his father it might be difficult to relate to these feelings, but there is more, much more than that here, and whether or not you like Tim Russert personally, you have to admire his willingness to put himself out there knowing that some people will use it as an opportunity to take a swipe based not on the book but a polititical agenda.
How many of us get the chance to send such an amazing, loving tribute to our fathers, a public thank you for all he has done without ever expecting anything in return?
Thank you Tim.
Rating:
Summary: Only A Celebrity Could Get This Book Published
Review: Had this manuscript arrived in a publisher's office and been submitted by a writer who did not enjoy national fame, this book would never have been printed. I am glad the book came to me as a gift, because otherwise I would be seeking a refund. Russert might be a decent guy who appreciates his heritage, but that doesn't automatically result in a compelling story. Devoting the last chapter to the Buffalo Bills football team reflects the author's misjudgment--evident throughout the book--about what readers want from a national political commentator.
Rating: 
Summary: One Line Describes Tim Russert
Review: I am only 1/2 way through the book and feel like I'm sitting with a couple of cold ones listening to Tim tell some childhood stories. Something that some of my friends of over 40-45 yrs do on a regular basis...a few great laughs and lessons for those younger as they sit with us and listen to the tales.
One line that I just read explains how this person, Tim Russert, has become the man that he is. I just finished the story on "baseball." The line was related to his hope as a youngster to become a baseball player..."It definitely could happen." With that optimism tied to his intelligence and drive, no wonder he is as successful as he is today. Anything is definitely possible.
For those of you that criticize the writing style, get out a cold one ... gather with friends ... and listen to yourself tell stories of fun times. That is the point of the book...remember the stories and the lessons that we learned. These stories are to be shared with those that can benefit from them.
Speaking from experience, it is very difficult to write a book; let alone being on the NY Times best seller list! Congratulations to Tim Russert and his family and friends who supported him through this effort!
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Summary: A True American Dream
Review: I first heard of this book only a day before it's release last week, while Shawn Hannidy interviewed Tim Russert on his radio show. I consider myself a news hound and beleive Russert is the best at what he does. He reminds me of a ' junkyard dog' with that ' growl' look he has. After listening to the 5 CD's in two days while driving I found out alot about my own father and my life growing up in the fifties and sixties, or where the parents of those who did. Tim reads the Audio version with such feeling and emotion that you are transformed into his life, and since I was born and raised in a Jewish family and area,and married a Catholic goddess this book gave me invaluable insight to the stories she has recounted of her own family growing of in South Dakota. We both agree that among the fifty or so audio books we have listened to over the past year this makes our TOP FIVE list. This past week, as some of you know, while interviewing Colin Powell from IRAQ on MEET THE PRESS ' LIVE' an aide of the Sec't of State pushed the camera away from Powell when Tim asked him a 'delicate ' question'. Out came that junkyard dog look of Tim's and he said to The Secretary of the United Staes on LIVE NBC TV " Mr. Secretary this is quite inapprotriate". How many of the Mr. Softies like Larry King,Katie Couric, Matt Laurer,Diane Sayer,etc. would have handled that awkward situation like Tim. Like all the message's in his book state, Be prepared for anything. I would stongly recomend this book to anyone over forty. It probaly wouldn't be that interesting if you where not a ' baby boomer or a parent of one. That about 60% of us! Great writting,story telling and the value of friends and family Tim. I will continue to be a faithful Meet the Press viewer. Thanks for reminded how our parents build this country. As Brokaw wrote they really are ' The greatest generation' and as Yogi says "It over till it's over" You have many fans here in Philadelphia!
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