A Bold Fresh Piece Of Humanity (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
Like many, I too am an admirer of Bill O'Reilly and of the Fox News Network. I enjoy the O'Reilly Factor primarily because he is a man with common sense who cuts through the bull of Washington politics, among other assorted issues. He calls a spade a spade and does not gloss over important issues for the sake of cronyism or political bias. He lets his temper flare against both sides of the political spectrum. Irrelevant of party affiliation, if a person or a group in the public limelight is doing something unethical and corrupt, he is on them like a pitt bull, an ever watchful reporter who relies solely on the facts. How rare in this day and age. Most of the networks and newspapers are just dripping with easy questions and compliments. Look at NBC and the New York Times, for instance.Aside from the above, O'Reilly's memoir was a truly pleasant read. It was not a magnum opus of autobiographical literature. Yet, in some cases, it was better than that, because it was refreshing and not pretentious, as all too many memoirs unfortunately have a tendency to be. In his book, he reflects a lot on his dad, a good man who worked hard but did so without passion. He accepted his lot. Part of O'Reilly's book explores the pursuit of an ideal and the initiative that is involved to make that ideal a reality; it is laborious and time consuming. But if it is worth pursuing, blood, sweat and tears must be involved. I don't think Mr. O'Reilly shed tears, though. His tenacity just propelled him. Also included are his reflections on his Catholic upbringing and the one or two friends that he hung around with, causing havoc on any who dared cross their path. I laughed aloud in the chapter dealing with Sister Mary Thomas, a nun who just loved to have the challenge of having him and his friend Clem in her class: "I'm looking forward to having you two gentlemen in my class next year." Page 80. For Bill O'Reilly, "No more frightening words were ever spoken." Page 80. In the way that he describes Sister Thomas, I believe him: "If Ivan the Terrible had a sister, she would have been Sister Mary Thomas, a nun whose great regret in life was that she missed the Inquisition." Page 77. The book is filled with many witty and moving recollections that are imbued with rich life experience and wisdom. But they are not sappy and overblown, just straightforward and appreciative. On page 66, O'Reilly's report card is showcased, and the only comment written in it is: "Socializes quite freely, yet resents correction!" When asked to explain himself to his father, O'Reilly's terse answer is "I'm popular." His dad's reply was "Get less popular."A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity was a good book, a work possessing tidbits of personal memories that were roughly coalesced, each frame of thought painting a picture of the various people, values, trips, experiences, joys and sorrows that had a profound influence on Mr. O'reilly's life. It is very relatable on a human level, and I think that people on both sides of the political party would be able to see a little bit of themselves in the human truths that he offers. A worthy read. This book was engaging and very amusing, a fun read. Bill O'Reilly sets out to illustrate how the experiences of his youth shaped his views on the world today. His anecdotes are at times poignant, at other times hilarious. Certainly, anyone who grew up in the 1950's and 60's will get a kick out of O'Reilly's remembrances. But this is also a wonderful exposition on what goes into the making of character and integrity. From his childhood capers in Catholic school rooms to his early failures and successes in the field of journalism, O'Reilly's memoir makes you chuckle, but also instructs. While learning what it is that makes this man "tick", you are compelled to look inward yourself and perhaps examine what has influenced your decisions and what it is that makes you the person that you are today. This is very good writing, and truly enjoyable Read it!
What do You think about A Bold Fresh Piece Of Humanity (2008)?
A great introduction to Bill O'Reilly, who is a fantastic writer and has a pretty sharp tongue.
—misladyq1029
A very entertaing book about Bill O'Reilly.
—Tammy
