Helpful Score: 1
I liked the first 3/4 of this book. Baker describes growing up poor, half-orphaned, and at the mercy of various relatives during the depression, but it never comes across as depressing or hopeless. Then he grows up and joins the military, and the last segment of the book is a search for sex. Way, way too much time is devoted to exploits, in one form or another, with women. I could have stopped reading when he goes off to college, and left off happy.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is a gem. The most entertaining memoir I've ever read. You'll learn something about America and laugh out loud in the process.
Helpful Score: 1
A good read (true story) about a boy growing up in the Depression.
Helpful Score: 1
I liked the first 3/4 of this book. Baker describes growing up poor, half-orphaned, and at the mercy of various relatives during the depression, but it never comes across as depressing or hopeless. Then he grows up and joins the military, and the last segment of the book is a search for sex. Way, way too much time is devoted to exploits, in one form or another, with women. I could have stopped reading when he goes off to college, and left off happy.
Very nostalgic glimpse of growing up in the pre-depression and depression era. Warm and funny. A nice read!
I liked the first 3/4 of this book. Baker describes growing up poor, half-orphaned, and at the mercy of various relatives during the depression, but it never comes across as depressing or hopeless. Then he grows up and joins the military, and the last segment of the book is a search for sex. Way, way too much time is devoted to exploits, in one form or another, with women. I could have stopped reading when he goes off to college, and left off happy.
A wonderful story of a family struggling to fulfill dreams and of a mother's sacrifice to help her children.
I liked the first 3/4 of this book. Baker describes growing up poor, half-orphaned, and at the mercy of various relatives during the depression, but it never comes across as depressing or hopeless. Then he grows up and joins the military, and the last segment of the book is a search for sex. Way, way too much time is devoted to exploits, in one form or another, with women. I could have stopped reading when he goes off to college, and left off happy.
Winner of the 1982 Pulitizer Prize for biography. One of the great books ever about growing up or American memoirs.
Baker's childhood memories, growing up in the Depression artfully shared with the read. A book to savor slowly.
A brief review after reading this book in 2014, " A representative of my parent's world; Great Depression, family, World War II." This is a "keeper book" for my personal library. I'm only putting this paperback on my list for pbs because I now have a good quality hardcover copy, as the result of a pbs swap.
What a wonderful read. A great story of growing up during the Depression and of a little boy who was pushed by his ambitious and driven mother to make something of himself and looking back on Baker's career, it looks like she succeeded. Highly recommended.
I liked the first 3/4 of this book. Baker describes growing up poor, half-orphaned, and at the mercy of various relatives during the depression, but it never comes across as depressing or hopeless. Then he grows up and joins the military, and the last segment of the book is a search for sex. Way, way too much time is devoted to exploits, in one form or another, with women. I could have stopped reading when he goes off to college, and left off happy.
I liked the first 3/4 of this book. Baker describes growing up poor, half-orphaned, and at the mercy of various relatives during the depression, but it never comes across as depressing or hopeless. Then he grows up and joins the military, and the last segment of the book is a search for sex. Way, way too much time is devoted to exploits, in one form or another, with women. I could have stopped reading when he goes off to college, and left off happy.
Pultizer Prize Winner. Over 9 months on The New York Times Bestseller List.
Winner of the 1982 Pulitzer Prize for biography - a beautifully written memoir of growing up between two World Wars.
Fascinating and unique story...
I liked the first 3/4 of this book. Baker describes growing up poor, half-orphaned, and at the mercy of various relatives during the depression, but it never comes across as depressing or hopeless. Then he grows up and joins the military, and the last segment of the book is a search for sex. Way, way too much time is devoted to exploits, in one form or another, with women. I could have stopped reading when he goes off to college, and left off happy.
Absolutely delightful these many years after having read it.
I liked the first 3/4 of this book. Baker describes growing up poor, half-orphaned, and at the mercy of various relatives during the depression, but it never comes across as depressing or hopeless. Then he grows up and joins the military, and the last segment of the book is a search for sex. Way, way too much time is devoted to exploits, in one form or another, with women. I could have stopped reading when he goes off to college, and left off happy.
This autobiography of Russell Baker's life is a well written script of his life of poverty stricken childhood to a Pulitzer prize winning writer. I found it entertaining and recommend it.
I liked the first 3/4 of this book. Baker describes growing up poor, half-orphaned, and at the mercy of various relatives during the depression, but it never comes across as depressing or hopeless. Then he grows up and joins the military, and the last segment of the book is a search for sex. Way, way too much time is devoted to exploits, in one form or another, with women. I could have stopped reading when he goes off to college, and left off happy.
An autobiography by Russell Baker, journalist and TV personality who introduced programs on Masterpiece Theatre. A thoroughly enjoyable book.
This was truly an enjoyable read ---- made me laugh, cry and was just great!
