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4 comments about Full Swing: Hits, Runs and Errors in a Writer's Life.

1. Ira Berkow's FULL SWING could also have been featured in our Sports section - but it'd be a shame to limit its audience to sports enthusiasts alone. Berkow is a sports columnist and feature writer for the New York Times, but his journey to that point was long and hard - and is chronicled here in FULL SWING: HITS, RUNS, AND ERRORS IN A WRITER'S LIFE. From his early years as a poor student who flunked out of college in his first semester to his later passion for writing and determination to become a writer, FULL SWING charts a course through the literary and sports world which will engage and delight fans of Berkow. From his early inspirations to his tales of life at the Times, FULL SWING is a lively survey of a literary life and many achievements.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



2. When you finish reading "Full Swing," including the funny and touching final two chapters of this conversational memoir, you will feel that you know Ira Berkow well. The author, a prolific writer (17 books and many articles) and a sports columnist for the New York Times for over 25 years, has produced an honest, seamless, conversational memoir which pulls the reader into the heart of a richly led life. Anecdotes abound, many about the sports, entertainment and political figures he has known and interviewed. Berkow pulls no punches in describing his own stuttering development as a writer, growing up on the West Side of Chicago, his early career as a reporter in Minneapolis, and his later move to New York City, where he worked first for a newspaper syndicate and later as the by-liner of the "Sports of the Times" column.
   
   The book is a walk through Berkow's life, often retracing his steps, making frequent, leisurely stops to explore people, places, ideas, successes, regrets, loves both lost and found, yet managing in the course of his peregrination to tie it all together such that the reader comes to understand the inner self of this talented, introspective, honest and thoroughly unpretentious writer, and ultimately wishes he could spend more time with him.
   
   The major press book reviews have cited anecdotes and quotes from various sources, including Red Smith, the sports writer whom Berkow succeeded at the Times, Richard Nixon, Groucho Marx, and numerous others such as Willie Mays, Eddie Waitkus, Hank Sauer, Al Kaline, Pete Rose, Phil Jackson and Mohammed Ali. But it is really the stories about the non-sports personalities from his past, including those in his own family, that best describe and define Berkow as a person. One such story about his cousin, a lawyer whose career ranged from a public defender to a federal judge, and who dealt with "the most monumental and noble of causes," is central to Berkow's exploration of the significance of one's own contributions, whether they are made in the public or private sphere.
   
   "Full Swing" will appeal especially to those readers who, despite a slightly guilty conscience, always turn first to the sports pages.



3. I read a lot of it but didn't finish it. Couldn't. I was looking for stuff about sports figures from the author's era. Interesting stuff. Instead, I received mostly stuff about the author, about how he made it in life and the newspaper world, with a few bumps along the way. Not interesting, to be honest. I should get my money back.



4. This is a book that many high school students will be able to indentify with. Ira Berkow floundered as he tried to decide what to do with his life when he graduated from high school. He, like others, had people who helped him out in various ways. His father bought him a book entitled "30 Days to A Powerful Vocabulary" when he was in high school. This gift which was initially not readily appreciated became a powerful influence in expanding Ira's vocabulary when he became interested in writing. The noted sportswriter Red Smith took time to constructively criticize some of Ira's writing when requested. Most young people drift into a career, and Ira Berkow is a good example for those of high school and college age to read about whether they plan on becomming a writer or not. Another thing I liked about the book is the numerous anecdotes of people such as Muhammad Ali, Hank Sauer, Michael Jordan and others that I have not read in other books. Here is one I will pass on about our present President, George Bush. When Bush was part owner of the Texas Rangers he and his team partners threatened to move the team from the Dallas-Fort Worth area unless the residents of Texas paid for a new ballpark. A tax was set that was shared by both the rich and poor. Since there were more poor people in the area than rich, the tax was a burden mainly by those who couldn't afford to pay it. With this money, a new ballpark was built and the owners sold the team which was now worth more due to having a new stadium. When the team was sold Bush became rich with his share coming to $14 million. This from a conservative who supposedly tries to save taxpayers money. This book is a treat. It is not a rehash of stories found in other books. You will not be disappointed.

1 comments about A Capitol Journey: Reflections On The Press, Politics, And The Making Of Public Policy In Pennsylvania. (Keystone Book).

1. Vince Carocci, a longtime reporter who served as an aide to Governor Casey, has written his professional autobiography. This intertwining of remembrances with keen analysis of events makes this a superb book for those interested in recent Pennsylvania government and politics. Readers learn how Capitol reporters in the 1960s were an assortment of grouchy men (there were no female Capitol reporters) ranging from those who sought quotes to verify angles on stories they had already written to those who pretended to write about things they heard secondhand. The press then could be vicious, as noted by the famous "Shapp Denies Rumor He Had Psychiatric Treatment" headline.
   
   The author also worked as a State Senate staff aide, where he observed that political alliances were flexible and changing. Readers learn some Senators believed in the politics of revenge. The book also proposes an interesting theory that the defeat of Joe Ammerman for Majority Leader led to the decline of the Democratic Party. The claim is Ammerman would have objected to activities by then-elected Democratic leadership that led to the Republicans taking control of the State Senate in 1974. He believes the party drifted from leadership that sought to do what was the best to one that sought to do what was best for themselves. Democratic leaders even worked to defeat other Democrats. Republicans have had a near-dynasty of Senate control ever since.
   
   The 1970s, though, were a critical decade for the legislature. During that decade, it moved from a part-time office to a professional branch of government whose policymaking role became equivalent to that of the Governor. The author notes that professional legislative staffing became more important in shaping policies and subsequently the abilities of political parties to guide policies diminished. With the weakening of political parties, the legislative leaders lost some of their political clout while rank and file legislators increased their political strength. The author notes that Sen. Craig Lewis's taking the Appropriations Committee Chairmanship from the incumbent Joe Smith would have been unthinkable a few years earlier.
   
   Among important changes the author notes was the removal of the one term limitation for a Governor. Allowing a Governor a second term gave a Governor a longer period of time to work on goals plus the likelihood of such an extended presence gives the Governor greater political clout to achieve those goals. It is noted every Governor since this law was changed has been elected to two terms, thus allowing Governors to take advantage of these extended abilities. Ironically, both the legislative and administrative branches of government have become more influential in recent decades.
   
   In 1962, Rep. Bill Scranton then disavowed any interest in running for Governor. Yet, Republican political leaders (who included Scranton's mother, Marion Margery Warren Scranton) were leery of their likely nominee, Judge Robert Woodside. Scranton told party leaders he would run for Governor if all 67 Republican county chairmen would unite behind his candidacy. To his surprise, 66 did, which was close enough. Scranton ran and was elected Governor.
   
   Scranton used a clever ploy during his campaign. His Democratic opponent, Philadelphia Mayor Richardson Dilworth, has been making an issue of being unable to debate Scranton and thus would debate an empty chair. Dilworth bought television time to debate his empty chair, only to be thrown off and lose his composure on television when Scranton appeared at the last moment.
   
   Scranton was followed by Raymond Shafer as Governor. Shafer was a Republican who fought with the Republican legislative leadership, leading to the creation of an eight month budget where many budget issues were left for the next Governor. Shafer was followed by Democrat Milton Shapp, the first candidate to broadcast television ads every night for the ten nights prior to the primary and whose ads helped him be an upset primary victor twice and eventually Governor in his second attempt. The author notes that Shapp, who ran as a candidate against the Democratic Party machine, ran afoul of that same machine as it dispensed patronage to people loyal to the party but not necessarily to Shapp. The Democratic Party's image took a sharp blow with the public as almost 400 politicians were indicted during the Shapp years.
   
   The author notes the selling of patronage jobs appears to have never been traced to Shapp, but that it did exist and seems to have been fairly widespread. Republican legislative leaders took advantage of these scandals to advance their party. When Shapp willingly appeared to testify before a legislative committee, and was then handed a subpoena to testify, it was many observers' opinions, including the author's, that Shapp defended himself rather well against Republican efforts to gain political mileage off the scandals and in fact emerged political stronger.
   
   The author sees Shapp as a Governor who had good intentions who truly cared about those with economic disadvantages. Shapp may have survived the scandals, but the Democratic Party did not (and to this day has yet to totally rebound.) Republican Dick Thornburgh was the next elected Governor.
   
   The author views Thornburgh as a paradox as a Governor who expressed integrity yet was as manipulative as the very type of leader Thornburgh claimed to despise. He criticizes Thornburgh for opposing the bipartisan legislative efforts to create a prescription drug program for the elderly and then embracing the program as if it were his own. The author also believes Thornburgh supported abolishing the liquor control system less for reasons of policy but in retaliation for having his nominees to the Liquor Control Board blocked by State Senate Democrats. Further, his administration awarded a weatherization contract to a Democratic State Senator, Milton Street, who switched to the Republican Party. Finally, as the only Governor to use the official Governor's Mansion for a political fundraiser, the author disbelieves claims that Thornburgh was a Governor above politics.
   
   The author served as Deputy Legislative Affairs Secretary, Government Operations Secretary, and then Press Secretary to the following Governor, Democrat Bob Casey. The author helped Governor Casey transfer responsibility of liquor law enforcement to the State Police and create liquor control administrative judges. Economic times were difficult, and budget negotiations with the legislature once took eight months when three billion in new taxes had to be found. Fortunately, the Casey Administration was able to leave the next Governor, Tom Ridge, with a $500 million surplus.
   
   This book is a fantastic account of state government from someone who observed it both from the outside as a reporter and from the inside as a key aide. The personal observations and accounts make this one of the most insightful books on state government operations. Readers will learn and appreciate much from "A Capitol Journey."

No comments about H.G.: The History of Mr Wells.

2 comments about Are You Somebody: The Life and Times of Nuala O'Faolain.

1. This is an interesting memoir. In part it's the story of how a wonderfully bright woman finds herself. It's also an overview of how Ireland came to grips with the modern world through such artists and writers as Ms. O'Faolin and others like her. There are some portions that seem unfulfilled. For instance, her home life was horrible, but she wasn't there for the brunt of it. Her peregrinations through alcohol and ill fated romances are painful, yet she keeps them distant. Nuala O'Faolin is an honest woman who lets us know clearly where she stands as an Irish woman, but the journey isn't so well lit. However, clear writing and commitment to truth make it worth reading.



2. I thoroughly enjoyed Nuola O'Faolain's memoir. My family is Irish. Many of her recollections regarding her family, her childhood, and her Catholic boarding school are similar to those of my mother's. Anyone who loves modern Irish literature and culture should read this book. She is brutally honest about her life. This book is not a sweet Irish memoir, nor is it Angela's Ashes.

No comments about Secrets: A Writer in the Cold War.

No comments about John L. O'Sullivan and His Times.

3 comments about Buying the Night Flight: The Autobiography of a Woman Foreign Correspondent (Transaction Large Print Books).

1. Ms. Geyer reveals her life and work as a wonderful adventure. As one of the first women foreign correspondents, she was where the action was. She provides us not only with brilliant insight into the geo-political events of Vietnam, Central America, and the USSR, but makes each of her tours an adventure. Ms. Geyer is truly a gifted writer. You have so much fun reading about her adventures, you may not realize you are learning a lot about foreign politics at the same time. This is a great book.



2. I know Geogie Anne Geyer personally. We met first in Poland in the 1980's when she covered my country after the military coup in 1981. I have red her autobiography several times. I translated it to Polish in jail, when I was a political prisoner of the communists. This woman is a unique example of an investigative journalist. If she had fought in the wars, she would become a war hero. But she covers all the wars and revolutions that broke out during her mature life.What I like about Georgie Anne ("GeeGee") is her sharp mind and toughness. She always gets to the heart of the matter. But (a unique feature) she's also a lovely woman who never looses her charm. I recommend her book to everyone who is conscious of the World we live in. DAVID MARIUS DASTYCH (60),a veteran international journalist, Warsaw, Poland. E-Mail me at: starm@poczta.onet.pl Date: August 12, 2001 on Sunday



3. Let me make two things clear: "Buying the Night Flight" is a good autobiography, and it is also the account of a woman's amazing career as a trailblazer in the field of journalism.
   
   Geyer was truly a pioneer and a real lady. As a female foreign correspondent, something of a rarity back in the old days, she had to overcome a lot of obstacles. Not only was she not as respected as her male counterparts in her profession, she was also in a line of work that's very physically and mentally demanding for a woman. What's more, as one of the first female foreign correspondents, Geyer really had no one to look up to or to learn from. She had to make up a lot of her own rules as she went along. But as she marches into uncharted territories, whether it's the deep Columbian jungles ruled by the rebels, or a hostage crisis in Egypt, she proves to us time and time again in this book that not only did she succeeded in surviving each assignment with the most fascinating stories and interviews, what's more, she's always done it with class and stylish prose.
   
   What I loved most about this book is Geyer's unrelenting criticism and analyses on herself through each situation. Being pretty much the very first female foreign correspondent, Geyer is acutely aware of her limitations as a woman. But she had also learned that there are many advantages to being a woman, namely that women are more sensitive, and are actually able to get men to open up more. At the same time, Geyer is also honest about the sacrifices that she's had to make in her personal life in order to gain the achievements in her professional life. That's another element that makes this book a good autobiography, because it's such a truthful introspective on the author.
   
   Geyer is also one of those journalist who has a strong moral conviction in what she does, and is not afraid to voice her own subjective opinion on each subject. She's unabashedly American, and carries that naive, moralistic optimism which is very endearing. It makes her book a very revealing read.

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No comments about An Accidental Journalist: The Adventures of Edmund Stevens, 19341945.