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Look for Me There: Grieving My Father, Finding Myself
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Updated with new afterword from the author.
In Look for Me There, Luke Russert traverses terrain both physical and deeply personal. On his journey to some of the world’s most stunning destinations, he visits the internal places of grief, family, faith, ambition, and purpose—with intense self-reflection, honesty, and courage."—Savannah Guthrie, coanchor of Today
“Look for me there,” news legend Tim Russert would tell his son, Luke, when confirming a pickup spot at an airport, sporting event, or rock concert. After Tim died unexpectedly, Luke kept looking for his father, following in Tim’s footsteps and carving out a highly successful career at NBC News. After eight years covering politics on television, Luke realized he had no good answer as to why he was chasing his father’s legacy. As the son of two accomplished parents—his mother is journalist Maureen Orth of Vanity Fair—Luke felt the pressure of high expectations but suddenly decided to leave the familiar path behind.
Instead, Luke set out on his own to find answers. What began as several open-ended months of travel to decompress and reassess morphed into a three-plus-year odyssey across six continents to discover the world and, ultimately, to find himself.
Chronicling the important lessons and historical understandings Luke discovered from his travels, Look for Me There is both the vivid narrative of that journey and the emotional story of a young man taking charge of his life, reexamining his relationship with his parents, and finally grieving his larger-than-life father, who died too young.
For anyone uncertain about the direction of their life or unsure of how to move forward after a loss, Look for Me There is a poignant reflection that offers encouragement to examine our choices, take risks, and discover our truest selves.
Updated with new afterword from the author.
In Look for Me There, Luke Russert traverses terrain both physical and deeply personal. On his journey to some of the world’s most stunning destinations, he visits the internal places of grief, family, faith, ambition, and purpose—with intense self-reflection, honesty, and courage."—Savannah Guthrie, coanchor of Today
“Look for me there,” news legend Tim Russert would tell his son, Luke, when confirming a pickup spot at an airport, sporting event, or rock concert. After Tim died unexpectedly, Luke kept looking for his father, following in Tim’s footsteps and carving out a highly successful career at NBC News. After eight years covering politics on television, Luke realized he had no good answer as to why he was chasing his father’s legacy. As the son of two accomplished parents—his mother is journalist Maureen Orth of Vanity Fair—Luke felt the pressure of high expectations but suddenly decided to leave the familiar path behind.
Instead, Luke set out on his own to find answers. What began as several open-ended months of travel to decompress and reassess morphed into a three-plus-year odyssey across six continents to discover the world and, ultimately, to find himself.
Chronicling the important lessons and historical understandings Luke discovered from his travels, Look for Me There is both the vivid narrative of that journey and the emotional story of a young man taking charge of his life, reexamining his relationship with his parents, and finally grieving his larger-than-life father, who died too young.
For anyone uncertain about the direction of their life or unsure of how to move forward after a loss, Look for Me There is a poignant reflection that offers encouragement to examine our choices, take risks, and discover our truest selves.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2023
961 people are currently reading
6300 people want to read
About the author
Luke Russert
4 books83 followersLuke Russert is an author and an Emmy Award winning journalist who served as an NBC News correspondent from 2008 to 2016 primarily covering American politics.
After leaving media, Russert embarked on a three year, six continent travel expedition that took him to nearly seventy countries. Published by Harper Horizon, his first book, Look For Me There, is a reflection of his deeply personal internal journey across many diverse external places.
Elin Hilderbrand, the number one New York Times best selling author of "Summer of '69" said of the book, “Luke Russert’s story of heartbreaking loss and hard-earned self-discovery captivates from start to finish. This is the memoir of the year, if not the decade.”
After leaving media, Russert embarked on a three year, six continent travel expedition that took him to nearly seventy countries. Published by Harper Horizon, his first book, Look For Me There, is a reflection of his deeply personal internal journey across many diverse external places.
Elin Hilderbrand, the number one New York Times best selling author of "Summer of '69" said of the book, “Luke Russert’s story of heartbreaking loss and hard-earned self-discovery captivates from start to finish. This is the memoir of the year, if not the decade.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 556 reviews
May 4, 2023
I almost hated this book. For most of “Look for Me There,” Russert comes off as an entitled, bratty, white frat boy who has the opportunity to travel the world — something most of us can only dream of doing. If I could have thrown an audiobook against the wall, the chapter on Sri Lanka would have done me in. “He’s such an asshole,” I kept thinking. It turned around for me during Russert’s remembrances of his trips to the Holy Land. For the first time I felt he bared his soul, dug deep to show how this particular episode of his travels was, in fact, life changing. I’m glad I stuck it out.
June 17, 2023
Very disappointing. Russert went to so many places yet had shallow descriptions of nearly each one. By the end he comes across as an over-privileged man-child who seems very difficult to like.
May 11, 2023
Like other reviews I’ve read, I struggled to care about this entitled “kid” for much of the book. I actually put it down for a few days, uncertain whether I wanted to finish. Then I heard an interview with Luke on “The Catholic Guy” show. Luke came across so likable I decided to finish! Wow! So glad I did! Excellent example of a well-done self examination! Thank you, Luke! Your dad would be proud!
May 20, 2023
3.5
I loved Tim Russert and still morn his untimely death. Obviously, so did his son, Luke. I had to read this book.
The beginning of the book reiterated Tim's death. I was in tears. Luke took on Tim's mantle, working for NBC news, trying to demonstrate that he deserved the spot covering national news without working his way up. After 8 years, and a conversation directed by the then Speaker of the House, John Boehner, Luke resigns his position and heads off to determine where he belonged in this world and how to do it without his dad. He heads to exotic places, sometimes accompanied by his mom, and eventually discovers, his dad is never too far away.
Luke is a wonderful writer.
I loved Tim Russert and still morn his untimely death. Obviously, so did his son, Luke. I had to read this book.
The beginning of the book reiterated Tim's death. I was in tears. Luke took on Tim's mantle, working for NBC news, trying to demonstrate that he deserved the spot covering national news without working his way up. After 8 years, and a conversation directed by the then Speaker of the House, John Boehner, Luke resigns his position and heads off to determine where he belonged in this world and how to do it without his dad. He heads to exotic places, sometimes accompanied by his mom, and eventually discovers, his dad is never too far away.
Luke is a wonderful writer.
June 24, 2024
DNF. Written by Tim Russet’s son but it was too politically biased for me to read further.
September 5, 2023
Though subtitled 'Grieving My Father, Finding Myself,' this book felt more focused on the latter. It read more as a travel diary of another young, privileged male trying to "find himself" by traveling alone FOR MONTHS. If only we all could afford to take such a sabbatical.
I recall being required to watch Meet The Press for government class in high school, so I was familiar with the author's father and, having lost my father in Feb 2022, I thought maybe there'd be something relatable here or insightful about grief, but there was not.
So, while there were a few instances where Luke tied his travel experiences to the death of his father, this felt definitely more about finding himself in solo traveling, drinking and women, including a tiny existential crisis about his social media postings and presence. 🙄
I recall being required to watch Meet The Press for government class in high school, so I was familiar with the author's father and, having lost my father in Feb 2022, I thought maybe there'd be something relatable here or insightful about grief, but there was not.
So, while there were a few instances where Luke tied his travel experiences to the death of his father, this felt definitely more about finding himself in solo traveling, drinking and women, including a tiny existential crisis about his social media postings and presence. 🙄
June 17, 2023
I think his heart was in the right place writing this, but it just felt like he desperately wanted to write something incredibly profound and it just wasn’t. I feel bad criticizing his healing journey. I’m sure it was very profound to him, but on paper / in audiobook it came across as a string of platitudes. Maybe it was that I didn’t like how he read the book in this audiobook version.
April 11, 2023
I don't really like to rate memoirs. You know? There was a lot to like about this one - an interesting journey for a young man who lost his famous father and feels a little lost. I don't read much non-fiction, but this one seemed interesting. Because I'm forced to - I'm rating it 3.5, rounded up to 4.
I loved the first part of the book where the focus was on Luke's relationship with his father and the way the grief affected him. He decides to take off and leave his current life and expectations behind. I can totally see where that needed to happen.
He describes his travels in detail - in the beginning - and then it sort of falls off as he becomes more confused about his future and the journey he is currently on. If feels a little - privileged, poor me - but even he admits that. And this is his journey so it's not really for me to judge. I will say that there were a few references to girls that had me a little disappointed. Especially to a girl he strings along while sleeping with another girl on his travels. But, like I said - this is his journey and he is revealing his own personal journey so...
I enjoyed this book - the first half much more than the second though. I could relate to the grief and the career crisis from my younger years. It sounds like he is back on track with a purpose and for that I'm really happy for him. The love for his father is more than evident - and I did really like that he developed a stronger love for his mother when he was able to experience the things she loved. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for the ARC to read and review. Pub date: 5/2/23.
I loved the first part of the book where the focus was on Luke's relationship with his father and the way the grief affected him. He decides to take off and leave his current life and expectations behind. I can totally see where that needed to happen.
He describes his travels in detail - in the beginning - and then it sort of falls off as he becomes more confused about his future and the journey he is currently on. If feels a little - privileged, poor me - but even he admits that. And this is his journey so it's not really for me to judge. I will say that there were a few references to girls that had me a little disappointed. Especially to a girl he strings along while sleeping with another girl on his travels. But, like I said - this is his journey and he is revealing his own personal journey so...
I enjoyed this book - the first half much more than the second though. I could relate to the grief and the career crisis from my younger years. It sounds like he is back on track with a purpose and for that I'm really happy for him. The love for his father is more than evident - and I did really like that he developed a stronger love for his mother when he was able to experience the things she loved. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for the ARC to read and review. Pub date: 5/2/23.
May 17, 2023
“Simply put: I’ve feared letting down those who expect so much from me. I’ve feared failing in a job and life that chose me, and I’ve feared not living up to the family name. I’ve feared the disapproval from my parents’ cohort, the best and the brightest of my hometown.”
Luke Russert was at a point in his life where he had it all, a sexy job in political journalism, life on The Hill, he knew all the right people and had all the right connections. On paper, it checked all the boxes of success. His life was set, just as choreographed. But his soul wasn’t set. Wise words from former House Speaker John Boehner nudged something in him and he eventually tossed all the certainty of his current life away to explore the world.
”I think about my future, about marrying somebody deemed “worthy” by DC society, seeing my kids go to the same high school as I had, then attending the same galas I’m attending now, getting older, never leaving, ending up in the same cemetery as my dad. It suddenly feels terrifying.”
It is gag inducing to read how his “before” life was structured in so many ways, right down to who he dated. He sized up potential love interests not in the pure ways but from whether she would be presentable at galas, could she shake hands correctly, would people in his parents cohort approve?
These parts of the book are both eye opening and interesting. It surely had something to do with why he bailed. But it is just as much about someone trying to find himself while he confronts the grief he never got to sit with as it is lessons in history and humanity. His willingness to give up the sure thing to go for the unknown. That same willingness in exploring his sometimes painful family dynamics with his mom. His mother is an accomplished, and Emmy winning, journalist who approached life in a much more adventurous way than both Luke and his dad. She joined him for some of his travels. The relationship between them isn’t always smooth and he explores that history and how it’s still there in the present. His views of how she parented differently than his beloved dad and how it affected him are laid bare. I don’t know if traveling together helped change his perspective - what hurts hurts - but it did give him insight he might never have had otherwise.
”Taken aback from watching her at work, I size her up. For someone in her seventies, she has not lost a step. Her energy is greater than mine. For the first time in memory, I want to be like her. I want to have this spirit to jump right in. It’s something my father never had. He was measured and cautious—nothing was left to chance. Mom is exciting, a true badass. She trusts in her abilities and is curious to get the full story, no matter how raw. I see her with new eyes.”
The places he visited and the people he met along the way balance the book out. They were fascinating to me from a historical perspective. Snippets of many places that are radically different than America but told from the perspective of a young American who, while more educated and worldly than the average American, can act pretty American in the worst ways at times. The flip side of that is he really does understand much of the painful history he confronts in his travels and brings nuance to it.
“A small portion of the museum is dedicated to the experience of American POWs. The history here is extremely propagandized. Pictures of American POWs playing basketball, eating Christmas dinner, drinking beer, and getting medical treatment hang on the surrounding walls. One plaque reads, “Americans were humanely treated while Vietnamese suffered.” History is written by the winners.”
There’s a lot to take away from this book. The author spoke about his journey and writing it when he was a guest on one of my favorite podcasts. But what sold me on reading it was a review here on GR. At one point the reviewer basically called him a self indulgent, white privileged jackass based on the chapter about his time in Sri Lanka. Surprisingly, the author responded with kindness and humility.
This was a quick read for me. I couldn’t put it down. I had tears in my eyes when I finished. Maybe it was the whole story or maybe it’s being a mom with kids not too far away from the age he was when his life was permanently altered, and seeing it from that lens. Either way, I’m rooting for him from here on out.
A bonus is he has an instagram where you can see many of the pictures he took during his travels. Hoping to find the one where he stumbled upon his ex and her husband in Red Square since it didn’t make the book. 😍
Luke Russert was at a point in his life where he had it all, a sexy job in political journalism, life on The Hill, he knew all the right people and had all the right connections. On paper, it checked all the boxes of success. His life was set, just as choreographed. But his soul wasn’t set. Wise words from former House Speaker John Boehner nudged something in him and he eventually tossed all the certainty of his current life away to explore the world.
”I think about my future, about marrying somebody deemed “worthy” by DC society, seeing my kids go to the same high school as I had, then attending the same galas I’m attending now, getting older, never leaving, ending up in the same cemetery as my dad. It suddenly feels terrifying.”
It is gag inducing to read how his “before” life was structured in so many ways, right down to who he dated. He sized up potential love interests not in the pure ways but from whether she would be presentable at galas, could she shake hands correctly, would people in his parents cohort approve?
These parts of the book are both eye opening and interesting. It surely had something to do with why he bailed. But it is just as much about someone trying to find himself while he confronts the grief he never got to sit with as it is lessons in history and humanity. His willingness to give up the sure thing to go for the unknown. That same willingness in exploring his sometimes painful family dynamics with his mom. His mother is an accomplished, and Emmy winning, journalist who approached life in a much more adventurous way than both Luke and his dad. She joined him for some of his travels. The relationship between them isn’t always smooth and he explores that history and how it’s still there in the present. His views of how she parented differently than his beloved dad and how it affected him are laid bare. I don’t know if traveling together helped change his perspective - what hurts hurts - but it did give him insight he might never have had otherwise.
”Taken aback from watching her at work, I size her up. For someone in her seventies, she has not lost a step. Her energy is greater than mine. For the first time in memory, I want to be like her. I want to have this spirit to jump right in. It’s something my father never had. He was measured and cautious—nothing was left to chance. Mom is exciting, a true badass. She trusts in her abilities and is curious to get the full story, no matter how raw. I see her with new eyes.”
The places he visited and the people he met along the way balance the book out. They were fascinating to me from a historical perspective. Snippets of many places that are radically different than America but told from the perspective of a young American who, while more educated and worldly than the average American, can act pretty American in the worst ways at times. The flip side of that is he really does understand much of the painful history he confronts in his travels and brings nuance to it.
“A small portion of the museum is dedicated to the experience of American POWs. The history here is extremely propagandized. Pictures of American POWs playing basketball, eating Christmas dinner, drinking beer, and getting medical treatment hang on the surrounding walls. One plaque reads, “Americans were humanely treated while Vietnamese suffered.” History is written by the winners.”
There’s a lot to take away from this book. The author spoke about his journey and writing it when he was a guest on one of my favorite podcasts. But what sold me on reading it was a review here on GR. At one point the reviewer basically called him a self indulgent, white privileged jackass based on the chapter about his time in Sri Lanka. Surprisingly, the author responded with kindness and humility.
This was a quick read for me. I couldn’t put it down. I had tears in my eyes when I finished. Maybe it was the whole story or maybe it’s being a mom with kids not too far away from the age he was when his life was permanently altered, and seeing it from that lens. Either way, I’m rooting for him from here on out.
A bonus is he has an instagram where you can see many of the pictures he took during his travels. Hoping to find the one where he stumbled upon his ex and her husband in Red Square since it didn’t make the book. 😍
June 23, 2023
The book opens with Tim Russert’s untimely death of a heart attack. I remember clearly hearing this news on the Radio and it stopping me in my tracks.
As an immigrant to the United States, I still find myself trying to understand the political and power systems- 33 years after arriving in Maryland from Europe. Tim Russert hosted “Meet the Press” on Sundays and I never missed it. He was a brilliant and relentless questioner who had a way of translating even the most convoluted answers given to him by his guests into language the rest of us could understand.
He was smart and disciplined- but I remember occasionally detecting a mischievous twinkle in his eye when I successfully cajoled an especially slippery guest into stating their position. Russert loved his job and I loved watching him do it. I learned so much from him and I trusted him. One of the guests at his wake was quoted saying what I would have said when asked by the author to share what Tim Russert meant to him:
“Your dad taught me American politics. Because of him, I could understand what was happening in my new country. I loved that man.”
I loved that man too. I remember thinking HOW can he NOT be the one to help me navigate the 2008 Presidential Race? I abandoned my Sunday tradition of “Meet The Press” after a couple of half-hearted attempts to get used to the new host.
I loved Tim Russert. I did not love this book, written by his only son- despite the fact that I’d been following his career closely and was definitely looking forward to the book. While I enjoyed some of the travel stories, they mostly felt formulaic- a privileged white American tourist, often acting a little too much like the stereotype. He often sounded spoiled- which I think was his attempt to make himself vulnerable to the reader. The writing didn’t grab me and the only place I felt like I connected with Luke Russert was when he’d share anecdotes about his complicated relationship with his demanding mother. I wonder what she thought about the way she was portrayed? Towards the end, when he finally stops running away from his pain and grief, he finally became more real. Picking up his running shoes and heading out to Rock Creek Park to tamp down his anxiety made him relatable to me. Closing the book with a spiritual journey to the Holy Land, i was never entirely sure that he found the closure he sought.
In the end, I realized that all of his bravado and sarcasm was hiding a grieving man who didn’t know how to process his feelings and was stuck at age 22, his age when his dad died. I understand the book wasn’t written for me, a random stranger who loved his dad and wanted to hear more about him.
Luke wrote the book as a way to stop running away from his pain and maybe, to find a little bit of closure. I congratulate him on doing this work.
As an immigrant to the United States, I still find myself trying to understand the political and power systems- 33 years after arriving in Maryland from Europe. Tim Russert hosted “Meet the Press” on Sundays and I never missed it. He was a brilliant and relentless questioner who had a way of translating even the most convoluted answers given to him by his guests into language the rest of us could understand.
He was smart and disciplined- but I remember occasionally detecting a mischievous twinkle in his eye when I successfully cajoled an especially slippery guest into stating their position. Russert loved his job and I loved watching him do it. I learned so much from him and I trusted him. One of the guests at his wake was quoted saying what I would have said when asked by the author to share what Tim Russert meant to him:
“Your dad taught me American politics. Because of him, I could understand what was happening in my new country. I loved that man.”
I loved that man too. I remember thinking HOW can he NOT be the one to help me navigate the 2008 Presidential Race? I abandoned my Sunday tradition of “Meet The Press” after a couple of half-hearted attempts to get used to the new host.
I loved Tim Russert. I did not love this book, written by his only son- despite the fact that I’d been following his career closely and was definitely looking forward to the book. While I enjoyed some of the travel stories, they mostly felt formulaic- a privileged white American tourist, often acting a little too much like the stereotype. He often sounded spoiled- which I think was his attempt to make himself vulnerable to the reader. The writing didn’t grab me and the only place I felt like I connected with Luke Russert was when he’d share anecdotes about his complicated relationship with his demanding mother. I wonder what she thought about the way she was portrayed? Towards the end, when he finally stops running away from his pain and grief, he finally became more real. Picking up his running shoes and heading out to Rock Creek Park to tamp down his anxiety made him relatable to me. Closing the book with a spiritual journey to the Holy Land, i was never entirely sure that he found the closure he sought.
In the end, I realized that all of his bravado and sarcasm was hiding a grieving man who didn’t know how to process his feelings and was stuck at age 22, his age when his dad died. I understand the book wasn’t written for me, a random stranger who loved his dad and wanted to hear more about him.
Luke wrote the book as a way to stop running away from his pain and maybe, to find a little bit of closure. I congratulate him on doing this work.
October 7, 2023
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to My Aunt for gifting me this book back in July for My Birthday to help me to cope with losing My Dad a year and a half ago.
Im familiar with The Russert Family since My Dad used to watch Meet The Press for years on Cbs before Luke's Dad passed away so i was anxious to read this to see how i would like it and if anything in this book would connect with me and it definately did.
I loved how this talked about how deep and emotional Grief can be after losing a Father as ive been feeling that way since November 7th 2021.
My Favorite Quote from this book are:
"Our grieving will be dignified. Our attention will go toward honoring Dad's legacy." (Most of you who know how hard ive taken losing My Dad know why this quote speaks so strongly to me)
Overall a Wonderful Non-Fiction Memoir about Grieving a Parent and trying to find yourself while dealing with it. I hope Luke writes more books like this in the future!!
Review:
Thank you to My Aunt for gifting me this book back in July for My Birthday to help me to cope with losing My Dad a year and a half ago.
Im familiar with The Russert Family since My Dad used to watch Meet The Press for years on Cbs before Luke's Dad passed away so i was anxious to read this to see how i would like it and if anything in this book would connect with me and it definately did.
I loved how this talked about how deep and emotional Grief can be after losing a Father as ive been feeling that way since November 7th 2021.
My Favorite Quote from this book are:
"Our grieving will be dignified. Our attention will go toward honoring Dad's legacy." (Most of you who know how hard ive taken losing My Dad know why this quote speaks so strongly to me)
Overall a Wonderful Non-Fiction Memoir about Grieving a Parent and trying to find yourself while dealing with it. I hope Luke writes more books like this in the future!!
June 3, 2023
Annoying read
Despite Luke claiming that he is not entitled, he often acts like an ugly American brat. Like Luke, I have traveled the world. Alas, he is just the kind of tourist that I would have steered clear of. His compulsion about being on time is especially irking. This good old boy would have been better off sticking to his tv gig and not listening to John Boehner. There is some good travel writing, but I cannot recommend this book.
Despite Luke claiming that he is not entitled, he often acts like an ugly American brat. Like Luke, I have traveled the world. Alas, he is just the kind of tourist that I would have steered clear of. His compulsion about being on time is especially irking. This good old boy would have been better off sticking to his tv gig and not listening to John Boehner. There is some good travel writing, but I cannot recommend this book.
May 19, 2023
So much to say about this beautifully written memoir.
When I heard about this book coming out, I was nervous to read- I also lost my Buffalo Bills loving, charismatic, loving father unexpectedly in my early twenties.
The first chapter was so emotional and I was tearful over how much I could relate to Luke’s emotions at that time. You can feel his shock, unknowing, and need for something more out of life that he is now aware-is sometimes denied to even those most deserving.
Luke goes on to tell stories in beautiful detail about how he navigated his grief, learned and grew as a person through travel. This was so relatable and comforting to read.
Luke is aware of the privilege he has in his life to be able to travel. However, privilege and financial freedom is not equivalent to emotional/spiritual freedom nor emotional/physical health and this he has to work for throughout the book.
You can tell Luke feels travel in his SOUL. I loved the detailed way he describes his experiences and how he felt found, lost, and found again through his travels. And that is such an accurate picture of grief. I also loved hearing of the “god winks” (signs from a loved one who has passed on). Those are so personal but I love to hear of others experiencing those.
If you have had to navigate through unexpected grief/loss, I would highly recommend reading as this memoir has been the most comforting/relatable account I have yet to come across.
Thank you, Luke. This is a beautiful tribute to your dad, mom and yourself. He would be proud.
P.S. our dads have the best view from Heaven once those Bills finally win a Super Bowl.
When I heard about this book coming out, I was nervous to read- I also lost my Buffalo Bills loving, charismatic, loving father unexpectedly in my early twenties.
The first chapter was so emotional and I was tearful over how much I could relate to Luke’s emotions at that time. You can feel his shock, unknowing, and need for something more out of life that he is now aware-is sometimes denied to even those most deserving.
Luke goes on to tell stories in beautiful detail about how he navigated his grief, learned and grew as a person through travel. This was so relatable and comforting to read.
Luke is aware of the privilege he has in his life to be able to travel. However, privilege and financial freedom is not equivalent to emotional/spiritual freedom nor emotional/physical health and this he has to work for throughout the book.
You can tell Luke feels travel in his SOUL. I loved the detailed way he describes his experiences and how he felt found, lost, and found again through his travels. And that is such an accurate picture of grief. I also loved hearing of the “god winks” (signs from a loved one who has passed on). Those are so personal but I love to hear of others experiencing those.
If you have had to navigate through unexpected grief/loss, I would highly recommend reading as this memoir has been the most comforting/relatable account I have yet to come across.
Thank you, Luke. This is a beautiful tribute to your dad, mom and yourself. He would be proud.
P.S. our dads have the best view from Heaven once those Bills finally win a Super Bowl.
April 1, 2024
If I could give zero stars I would. I'd hoped for heart warming stories and insights gained through self-discovery, travel and personal connections. Instead it was stale, uninspiring and rambling narrative of the excursions of an, essentially, boring guy. A guy who lived a coddled, affluent life of abundance full of worldwide travel. Then, at 31, realizes he needs to find himself and decides even more travel is the way to do it. Not backpacking on a budget but traveling in comfort on mommy and daddy's dime. Not taking the road less traveled but, instead, visiting major tourist destinations.
Aside from the constant jabs at conservatives and plugs for liberals the worst parts were his unbridled excitement over touching a famous soccer player (insert eye roll), complaining about his mother like a whiny little boy and cheating on his girlfriend with the rationalization that he doesn't want to be on his deathbed regretting a missed opportunity. Gross. Not to mention his sacred "wish" (because heaven forbid he use the word prayer) at a sacred temple was that the Buffalo Bills win a superbowl in his lifetime. Seriously? The narration is staccato, stumbling and awkward to the point of being robotic at times. You'd think a news correspondant would be better at reading aloud. Especially a book he wrote himself. The story, what there is of it, is all about him getting Instagram "likes" ... momentary admiration from people you don't even know who are on to the next thing in 2.5 seconds. This book is an absolute a waste of time.
Aside from the constant jabs at conservatives and plugs for liberals the worst parts were his unbridled excitement over touching a famous soccer player (insert eye roll), complaining about his mother like a whiny little boy and cheating on his girlfriend with the rationalization that he doesn't want to be on his deathbed regretting a missed opportunity. Gross. Not to mention his sacred "wish" (because heaven forbid he use the word prayer) at a sacred temple was that the Buffalo Bills win a superbowl in his lifetime. Seriously? The narration is staccato, stumbling and awkward to the point of being robotic at times. You'd think a news correspondant would be better at reading aloud. Especially a book he wrote himself. The story, what there is of it, is all about him getting Instagram "likes" ... momentary admiration from people you don't even know who are on to the next thing in 2.5 seconds. This book is an absolute a waste of time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2023
The book kept my interest. However, it’s a sad book.
December 13, 2023
This book has been on my radar for a bit, knowing it would be difficult. My father passed two years after Tim, so I’ve always felt it was “too soon” to read this type of book.
The author’s journey of traveling the world while re-examining his life and his purpose after doing what was expected of him for so long was heartfelt, genuine, honest, and at times, tough to read. I could relate to sailing without a rudder, not knowing how to live other than what’s expected of me, and struggling for direction.
The travel stories were numerous and great. His time in Japan and thoughts of Hiroshima and its devastating destruction were the most impactful. If we could end 80K lives at the blink of an eye back then, the potential impact in today’s world is unimaginable.
As a side note, if the Buffalo Bills ever win the Super Bowl, Tim and Luke will be top of mind.
The author’s journey of traveling the world while re-examining his life and his purpose after doing what was expected of him for so long was heartfelt, genuine, honest, and at times, tough to read. I could relate to sailing without a rudder, not knowing how to live other than what’s expected of me, and struggling for direction.
The travel stories were numerous and great. His time in Japan and thoughts of Hiroshima and its devastating destruction were the most impactful. If we could end 80K lives at the blink of an eye back then, the potential impact in today’s world is unimaginable.
As a side note, if the Buffalo Bills ever win the Super Bowl, Tim and Luke will be top of mind.
May 22, 2023
I have really mixed feelings about this one (couldn't decide between 3 or 4 stars). I couldn't stop listening, and I loved his travel stories. I could feel his loss and angst trying to find his way. I can't imagine living in the shadow of a legendary father. But there came a point in the book (in Sri Lanka) when I really had my fill of him - and then some. I do hope he finds his way though.
July 19, 2023
Overall, this was an entertaining and thoughtful read. I agree with others who said that the author became insufferable in Sri Lanka. Actually, I became frustrated with him quite a bit earlier in the book (I won't say when because of spoilers). I am glad I stuck with it until the end because he did develop some self-awareness, and this was, after all, a memoir. He was honest about himself even when it wasn't pretty. Isn't that what a good memoir should be?
May 21, 2023
A honest evaluation!
This is a book that will make you reflect on your own life! I was raised in a catholic family, but don’t practice religion anymore. But it gave me a good base in understanding how to be a good person.
Experimenting, being open, learning and growing like Luke shared made me also a better person without religion in my life!
This is a book that will make you reflect on your own life! I was raised in a catholic family, but don’t practice religion anymore. But it gave me a good base in understanding how to be a good person.
Experimenting, being open, learning and growing like Luke shared made me also a better person without religion in my life!
December 12, 2023
Brutal. I’d give 0 stars if I could. I thought this would be an inspirational story but it was a grown man whining away for chapters on end. He lacks a sense of reality and is blinded by his own privilege. Even the way he writes about his own mother is so condescending. Woof! Wouldn’t recommend.
October 31, 2023
I didn't read this memoir looking for my wanderlust to be activated, but that's just what happened. Author Luke Russert is the son of the well-regarded and famously even-handed journalist, Tim Russert, and this is the story of his growing up & into himself following the death of his beloved father.
Luke felt a lot of pressure from a lot of sources, (including himself most of all) to try to fill his father's shoes. His real coming of age occurred when he finally set those expectations aside, settling into what he believes he is really meant to be doing: traveling & writing about it. His mother, a force herself both journalistically & personally, enjoyed going on trips with him but still pressured him to settle into a more mainstream job. He went through periods of self-pity, floundering & berating himself for his lack of clarity. I've seen criticism of the junior Russert for his privileged attitude, but privilege is what he comes from & actually, I appreciated his honest self-reflection. It takes vulnerability to open your heart & look less than stellar on the page, including falling prey to the lure of social media & trolling for likes, but he does just this.
I couldn't be happier for Russert that he's found his calling. Writing on the places worldwide he has visited is where he shines; this traveler was reminded she's still got lots of amazing spots on this earth to try to get to. If you are okay reading about the travails of a wealthy young man, lucky in many ways, who still struggled to find his place & worth in this world of ours, I recommend this memoir.
Luke felt a lot of pressure from a lot of sources, (including himself most of all) to try to fill his father's shoes. His real coming of age occurred when he finally set those expectations aside, settling into what he believes he is really meant to be doing: traveling & writing about it. His mother, a force herself both journalistically & personally, enjoyed going on trips with him but still pressured him to settle into a more mainstream job. He went through periods of self-pity, floundering & berating himself for his lack of clarity. I've seen criticism of the junior Russert for his privileged attitude, but privilege is what he comes from & actually, I appreciated his honest self-reflection. It takes vulnerability to open your heart & look less than stellar on the page, including falling prey to the lure of social media & trolling for likes, but he does just this.
I couldn't be happier for Russert that he's found his calling. Writing on the places worldwide he has visited is where he shines; this traveler was reminded she's still got lots of amazing spots on this earth to try to get to. If you are okay reading about the travails of a wealthy young man, lucky in many ways, who still struggled to find his place & worth in this world of ours, I recommend this memoir.
October 8, 2023
This is a meh addition to the find-myself-on-travel genre of stories. In this book, the author acknowledges that his background as the son of famous and wealthy parents led to his unearned opportunities...while at the same time, he even still uses those unearned opportunities to get a book published by an imprint of HarperCollins. I reckon without that privilege, he'd have instead needed to publish this on Kindle Direct Publishing. I don't fault him for taking advantage of that privilege. I'd have done the same. I could, however, have done without the pompousness, like referring to his hairdo as a "prep-school haircut." Barf.
I don't think this book is really about anything, though it is a reminder that the human organism needs his or her parents. When one dies even when the person is an adult in his early 20s, that loss can still F him up for a decade, as it seems to have done for the author. It seems he has overcome that grief, and if writing this book helped, then I'm all for that catharsis.
I don't think this book is really about anything, though it is a reminder that the human organism needs his or her parents. When one dies even when the person is an adult in his early 20s, that loss can still F him up for a decade, as it seems to have done for the author. It seems he has overcome that grief, and if writing this book helped, then I'm all for that catharsis.
May 21, 2023
My dad (a Tim Russert fan) suggested I read this book while I am currently on sabbatical and deciding what I want in the next chapter of my career. I think I was hoping for more emotional depth from the author and I found myself wanting Luke to tell me more about him than the history of the places he visited. He did more of this toward the end (Russia! Catherine! Salvation!) but that was lacking for me in this book - - perhaps because of what I am currently looking for in my life.
I have read and listened to many memoirs and this might be the first I wished had not been read by the author. I found his tone and style of reading somewhat aggressive and difficult to listen to, more news reporter in a war zone than memoirist (think Michelle Zauner or Kathryn Schulz). I suppose this is an accurate reflection of the author’s background, career experience and perhaps lack of emotional depth, but I think I would have enjoyed this more had I read it vs listening to the audiobook.
I have read and listened to many memoirs and this might be the first I wished had not been read by the author. I found his tone and style of reading somewhat aggressive and difficult to listen to, more news reporter in a war zone than memoirist (think Michelle Zauner or Kathryn Schulz). I suppose this is an accurate reflection of the author’s background, career experience and perhaps lack of emotional depth, but I think I would have enjoyed this more had I read it vs listening to the audiobook.
June 30, 2023
I loved this book! I may be a bit biased as I loved Tim Russert’s books in addition to his tv reporting. I was sad when he passed. This story told by Luke felt very real and transparent. He didn’t try to put any spin to always make himself reflected in a good light. His story felt very human and relatable. He shared thoughts and feelings we all struggle with - what is our identity, our purpose? Are we living for ourselves or others? I did listen to the audio version and felt like I was hearing from a friend. Thank you for sharing such a personal journey. And while I am a faithful Packers Fan, I will this once end with Go Bills!
Bonus - it makes me want to see more of the world (but definitely not on a youth hostel budget! 😀)
I hope he writes more and look forward to reading his work!
Bonus - it makes me want to see more of the world (but definitely not on a youth hostel budget! 😀)
I hope he writes more and look forward to reading his work!
May 4, 2023
Good Read
Luke is a gifted writer and seamlessly weaves together a travel journey with his personal journey starting with his Dad's death. Feelings and emotions come across very well.
While he frequently describes himself as a child of privilege, he is the only child of extremely accomplished parents. Anyone would be intimidated by the challenge of striking one's own path under their shadow.
His love for his Dad is beautifully described throughout the book. I had a very difficult relation with my Dad as a teen and young adult, but became very close to him later in life. I realized how lucky I was that my Dad was 73 (still young) when he died. If he had died at 58 like Tim Russet, I would have missed the opportunity to build that close relationship with my Dad.
Luke is a gifted writer and seamlessly weaves together a travel journey with his personal journey starting with his Dad's death. Feelings and emotions come across very well.
While he frequently describes himself as a child of privilege, he is the only child of extremely accomplished parents. Anyone would be intimidated by the challenge of striking one's own path under their shadow.
His love for his Dad is beautifully described throughout the book. I had a very difficult relation with my Dad as a teen and young adult, but became very close to him later in life. I realized how lucky I was that my Dad was 73 (still young) when he died. If he had died at 58 like Tim Russet, I would have missed the opportunity to build that close relationship with my Dad.
May 11, 2023
I am a big news junkie. Loved Tim Russert. Read both his books and remember watching Luke’s eulogy for his father on TV. Because of this I am a big fan of Luke at msnbc and followed him on instagram. Knew he was working on this book from SF ( where I live) so yes I bought the audible the day it came out.
Big Tear jerker first chapter.
Wow. But then this pivots …What a great travel writer Luke is. Found myself going to look at his instagram to find the pictures. But there is a lot in this . Some highlights/comments
*Mom telling him to go to Bolivia
“You won’t get anywhere sitting on the sidelines. You can do it. “ love this encouragement.
Early chapter traveling with his mother is Raw and honest. Also love the tip of the importance of going to the mall. Brave of him to say. so honestly about how hard his mom was on him. Maureen orth - so impressive as a journalist herself. But how he writes about his mom through the entire book, her sense of adventure and interest in other cultures is inspiring to my 55 year old self.
*Valentine’s Day wave of grief in New Zealand. remembering his dad. Stacking the rocks. Lucky 7.
*Entire chapter on Vietnam. The history/conflict top place I want to go after Luke’s descriptions
*the entire Sri Lanka chapter Luke really comes across as a privileged ass….the mom in me was a bit disappointed but knew there was likely a bow ahead. His voice actually changes in the audible to sound like an ass.
*the opening day baseball story with his Dad I cried. As a huge baseball person fan ( Sf giants ) I totally understand.
*travel lessons like being comfortable with uncertainty. Being present right now. He portrays often with his stories. Luke talks about being at peace with aloneness and solo travel but there is a sense of loneliness often through book. Especially the last 1/3 of book.
*his visit to the Middle East at the end of book is special Like how he discussed some his family ghosts. and you see him make progress with working through grief of his fathers death. Enjoyed all his faith/catholic reflections through the book
Thank you Luke for sharing your honest vulnerable journey. We are all a work in progress. Loved how he speaks positively of SF ( we need more of that these days in the national news. ). Wishing you peace☮️
Big Tear jerker first chapter.
Wow. But then this pivots …What a great travel writer Luke is. Found myself going to look at his instagram to find the pictures. But there is a lot in this . Some highlights/comments
*Mom telling him to go to Bolivia
“You won’t get anywhere sitting on the sidelines. You can do it. “ love this encouragement.
Early chapter traveling with his mother is Raw and honest. Also love the tip of the importance of going to the mall. Brave of him to say. so honestly about how hard his mom was on him. Maureen orth - so impressive as a journalist herself. But how he writes about his mom through the entire book, her sense of adventure and interest in other cultures is inspiring to my 55 year old self.
*Valentine’s Day wave of grief in New Zealand. remembering his dad. Stacking the rocks. Lucky 7.
*Entire chapter on Vietnam. The history/conflict top place I want to go after Luke’s descriptions
*the entire Sri Lanka chapter Luke really comes across as a privileged ass….the mom in me was a bit disappointed but knew there was likely a bow ahead. His voice actually changes in the audible to sound like an ass.
*the opening day baseball story with his Dad I cried. As a huge baseball person fan ( Sf giants ) I totally understand.
*travel lessons like being comfortable with uncertainty. Being present right now. He portrays often with his stories. Luke talks about being at peace with aloneness and solo travel but there is a sense of loneliness often through book. Especially the last 1/3 of book.
*his visit to the Middle East at the end of book is special Like how he discussed some his family ghosts. and you see him make progress with working through grief of his fathers death. Enjoyed all his faith/catholic reflections through the book
Thank you Luke for sharing your honest vulnerable journey. We are all a work in progress. Loved how he speaks positively of SF ( we need more of that these days in the national news. ). Wishing you peace☮️
October 9, 2023
Look For Me There is the memoir of Luke Russert, son of the late Tim Russert perhaps best known for his work on the tv show Meet The Press. When Tim Russert died of a cardiac arrest in 2008 at the age of 58, the loss was very much felt by Russert's family. Having always looked to his father for guidance, Luke feels cast adrift after the loss and after a stint as a media persona himself. Russert had always encouraged his son to see the world, and so our author decides to do just that. This is that tale.
At times this book is very touching, and as someone who lost his own father a little over a decade ago, I could relate to much of the loss felt by the author. At the same time, too, the author is not the most likeable character. He takes his inheritance and decides to travel around the world - South America, Asia, Australia, Africa, this is a serious world tour. Sometimes this is financed by his inheritance, sometimes by his mother. On a couple different occassions, our author is kind of a dick to his mom. Yeah, it's kind hard for me to like you when you're traveling the world, seeing things I will never get to see because I'm working / providing for my family while our author is in picturesque settings and being an asshole to his mom.
The worst part of the book for me was when the author totally becomes numb to the people around him, the challenges of their lives, as he seems to be travelling the world - not really to experience new things, learn new thing, etc - but to get Instagram likes. There's a part in the book somewhere over halfway through when the author is in Japan (I think) and he decides to go see (and then write about) an otter he follows on Instagram. I could NOT care less. I thought this was going to be about "grieving my father, finding myself" not about becoming instagram famous with a hashtag otter hashtag famous otter hashtag who gives a shit.
In the end, the author goes to Jerusalem which reinvigorates his Christian faith when he finds a Buffalo Bills yamaka (his father's favorite sports team) at a roadside stall. He sees all these things, correctly or incorrectly, as signs from his late father. I'd like to think he's right, and I am overall happy for him. But I don't think he realizes just how priviledged he is. To have the life of the globetrotter with family at home to watch his dog, and a name and parents that grants him access to all kind of opportunities that you and I do not. The book spans something like eight years, which no, he's not travelling the entire time, but it kind feels like he is. He's certainly not settling down, focusing on his career, starting a family, the way that many people do in there 20s and 30s. If he's happy, great! Good for you, Luke Russert! But for most of this book, it really doesn't seem like he is.
At times this book is very touching, and as someone who lost his own father a little over a decade ago, I could relate to much of the loss felt by the author. At the same time, too, the author is not the most likeable character. He takes his inheritance and decides to travel around the world - South America, Asia, Australia, Africa, this is a serious world tour. Sometimes this is financed by his inheritance, sometimes by his mother. On a couple different occassions, our author is kind of a dick to his mom. Yeah, it's kind hard for me to like you when you're traveling the world, seeing things I will never get to see because I'm working / providing for my family while our author is in picturesque settings and being an asshole to his mom.
The worst part of the book for me was when the author totally becomes numb to the people around him, the challenges of their lives, as he seems to be travelling the world - not really to experience new things, learn new thing, etc - but to get Instagram likes. There's a part in the book somewhere over halfway through when the author is in Japan (I think) and he decides to go see (and then write about) an otter he follows on Instagram. I could NOT care less. I thought this was going to be about "grieving my father, finding myself" not about becoming instagram famous with a hashtag otter hashtag famous otter hashtag who gives a shit.
In the end, the author goes to Jerusalem which reinvigorates his Christian faith when he finds a Buffalo Bills yamaka (his father's favorite sports team) at a roadside stall. He sees all these things, correctly or incorrectly, as signs from his late father. I'd like to think he's right, and I am overall happy for him. But I don't think he realizes just how priviledged he is. To have the life of the globetrotter with family at home to watch his dog, and a name and parents that grants him access to all kind of opportunities that you and I do not. The book spans something like eight years, which no, he's not travelling the entire time, but it kind feels like he is. He's certainly not settling down, focusing on his career, starting a family, the way that many people do in there 20s and 30s. If he's happy, great! Good for you, Luke Russert! But for most of this book, it really doesn't seem like he is.
June 23, 2023
Luke writes beautifully about his father. His pain radiates through the pages and I was extremely moved by his profound loss. I enjoyed the initial chapters, but found myself well and truly pulling faces by the time Luke reaches Sri Lanka. Luke is simultaneously aware of his privilege, and the “rich, white, American male” trope, but entirely fits that stereotype. He reveals his insensitive, petulant, obnoxious and irritating nature multiple times during the book. His disregard and dismissal of the Sri Lankan driver’s traumatic Boxing Day Tsunami survival was particularly gross. I relate to spirituality but the descent into pilgrimage and shouting to the heavens just took the book further south. He seems incapable of comprehending just how privileged he is. A shame it took such a departure from it’s initial pages.
June 26, 2023
3.5 stars! For much of the book I enjoyed traveling with Luke, I felt his pain of grieving and finding/ looking for himself. About 2/3 in I felt I was reading a different story that I didn’t understand, he became a different person- non-caring, rude, self serving. I’m happy he found himself somewhat at the end but not sure if he is truly happy which is sad. Many have lost parents at an early age and struggle, most without the ability to take 3 years of travel without financial difficulties. This was a must read because I’m from Buffalo and his dad was so well respected and loved
February 17, 2025
My father passed away on Christmas. I was looking for a book to help with grief, and found this one. The title seemed like exactly what I needed.
The first chapter was well written and hit home with my feelings. The title being “Look for me there. Grieving my father, finding myself” seemed like it would be filled with overcoming grief. What I found was other than the first and last chapter - it was all about Luke finding himself through travel. It was more a travel guide than overcoming grief in my opinion.
The first chapter was well written and hit home with my feelings. The title being “Look for me there. Grieving my father, finding myself” seemed like it would be filled with overcoming grief. What I found was other than the first and last chapter - it was all about Luke finding himself through travel. It was more a travel guide than overcoming grief in my opinion.
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