Tim Russert, We Heartily Knew Ye: Wonderful Stories from Friends Celebrating a Great Life

by Rich Wolfe

Friends and colleagues of Tim Russert share their favorite stories about the beloved Meet the Press host. This is the first book about Russert published since his death on June 13, 2008. Contributors include some of Russert's closest friends--from high school at Canisius Prep in Buffalo through college at John Carroll University and law school at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and into his career in TV. Their funny and poignant stories give the rest of us a look the man behind the TV celebrity and show how Tim Russert earned his well-deserved reputation as a true nice guy in a tough business.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Biography

254 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2008

Reviews

[Missy]

I'm not sure how to rate this. I am not even half-way through and I doubt I'll finish the book. I picked this up for a few dollars at Walgreen's one day interested to learn more about Tim Russert. I had long been impressed by him and his optimism and knowledge. I was shocked when I heard he suddenly died and I thought of him several times during last year's election, thinking how unfortunate for all of us that he missed it. He always added so much to an election year. The book is a collection of stories told by his friends and acquaintances that show us what he was like in public and private. As I had hoped and suspected, he was the real deal. Always kind, enthusiastic, making time for those close to him, going out of his way to help others succeed and living life to the fullest. An impressive life. For Tim Russert I give 5 stars. For the organization and style of the book? One star. Granted, it was published by the author but would it be asking to much to find a good editor? Some things were so off-subject I had to remind myself who I was reading about. Each "chapter" was a different person's recollections, but then suddenly it shifts without warning and you are reading along only to find that the last page or so was a different person talking and I found myself going back to figure out where it shifted to sort out who is who. Very confusing. I don't know what happens later in the book because the disorganization was too much of a distraction. I flipped through the photos and called it good. Fortunately, the consensus throughout each essay I read was that Tim was just all around a great person.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't going read this at first, except that my grandmother recommended it. I thought it'd be just a compendium of eulogies; hagiography on a talented and wonderful man. I tend to gravitate toward more salacious offerings on more complex personalities. Still, his universal praise and how he earned it as well as his determined, competitive spirit along with a genius for promotion and college pranks/tricks made this a fun read

[Ashley Hobgood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had this book out of curiosity. I liked learning about Tim Russert from his friends and colleagues who knew him. I thought the book was somewhat interesting. It was okay but not a favorite.

[Marge · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you don't read this book in one or two sittings it is a wonderful tribute to a good person.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on Tim Russert. I realy enjoyed the way it was put together.The author hadfriends of Mr. Russert tell their stories of him and how they knew him and memories of him from their point of view. I am still reading this book but what happens is alot of the stories that are related to him begin to repeat in each persons memory. Because of this after reading two thirds of the book I have made this bathroom reading because of the short chapters it is good for this.Irealy enjoy the book and how it's put together but there is some repetion of stories because of that.

[Joann · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were any sort of a Tim Russert fan this is a must read. I read Big Russ and Me prior to Tim's Death. This winter when I read this book I didn't want to let Tim go. Wonderful Stories from Tim's friends celebrating A Great Life.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gift from my son. I so miss this man with such a passion for politics! I will never forget his white board with "Florida, Florida, Florida" written on it...the year we moved to Florida! Election night has never been the same for me.

[Martin Bihl · Rating 1 out of 5]

reads like a rough draft (and a sloppy one at that) and except for the excerpt from Richard Stengel's 1985 Rolling Stone profile, is eminently forgettable.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great thoughts on a man who died too early.