Required Reading - Big Russ & Me

It's hard to believe that it has now been over a year since Tim Russert was taken from us. In the middle of the most exciting Presidential campaign of my short life, the campaign it seemed Russert had been made to cover, he was suddenly gone. On my old site I wrote at the time that "In the midst of a life changing, possibly political landscape changing election this country has lost its preeminent political-journalistic figure." Russert certainly was just that: the preeminent figure in this country when it came to politics. But he was also much more, which is why I'm going to feature his first book today as my first "Required Reading" recommendation. Although Father's Day has just passed, I'm sure if you read this book you will come out with a new found appreciation for your own father. I know I did.

"Big Russ & Me" is a memoir written by Tim Russert about, and ultimately for, his father. It takes you through Russert's life; his modest upbringing in South Buffalo, his education in the Jesuit system, his early jobs, the decision to pursue a law degree, and ultimately his latching on into the political world, ending with him at NBC. Russert tells his story through the story of his father. He explains his views on the man who he affectionately calls "Big Russ," and he shows how the further he got in life the more he appreciated all his dad did for him.

We all can use a little perspective from time to time, and this book gives you that. It causes you to rethink your views on parenthood, and to appreciate the little sacrifices that end up making such a huge difference. Russert may be gone, but many of his virtues live on. This book exemplifies how special the man was, and how fortunate we were to have him as a part of our lives.

(Click on the title of this post to be taken to Amazon.com to view or purchase this book)