A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity

Customer Reviews

• An entertaining and somewhat enlightening "thoughtography"  Sep 24, 2008 (275 of 368 found this helpful)

  Forgive me if my critique is not "pithy"
  
  I couldn't wait to read this book. I bought it this morning and left work early so I could read it. Why? Because Bill Oreilly fascinates me and I thought his memoir would give some real answers as to how this man, who truly is an American original, thinks.
  
  First off, I actually had the privilege of meeting and briefly working with Bill Oreilly. After graduating college in the early nineties, I wrote to Mr. OReilly and asked him for advice on getting a job in television. I knew nothing about him, only that he was a fellow graduate of my high school (Chaminade High in Long Island) and that he was the anchorman of some show called "Inside Edition" (which I had never even watched)
  
  To my surprise, Mr. OReilly not only responded but invited me to the studio, took me to lunch and offered me a temporary production assistant job for Inside Edition. I began a career on Wall Street shortly after my stint with Inside Edition ended, but I have always been grateful to him for helping out some kid he didn't know. He is a man of character.
  
  And let me tell you, the man is fearless in every way and he is not a phony. He is exactly like he is on screen (albeit more reserved). Which is why I wanted to read this. I wanted to know- what makes this man tick? How did he come to be the person that he is today?
  
  Does this book answer these questions? - Sort of
  
  Not really a complete life memoir(by his own admission),"Bold Piece" is a kind of "Thoughtography"-a collection a remembrances of his early life followed by essays on how they shaped his current actions.
  
  With chapter titles like "Politics" "Fear" "Saving the World" and "Standing for something", Mr. Oreilly intersperses stories of his early life with how they affected his later life dealings and adult philosophies.
  
  Does it shed light on the inner life of the man? To a degree, yes.
  
  The book has many entertaining and insightful highlights including:
  
  1) A story about a grammar school classmate named Norma was especially touching. It will make you understand his sometimes-heated anger at injustice.
  2) As a graduate of Chaminade High School, I especially enjoyed his thoughts on class warfare at the school. It is a subject rarely discussed to any effectiveness. His story about the "Levittown Sandlot- Chaminade football game" could be an entertaining Disney Movie
  3) It gives a sense of the importance of his life experiences. Unlike Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, who I doubt have EVER sought to expand their horizons, Mr. Oreilly has walked the walk. He has traveled to 70 countries, received 2 graduate degrees, and even taught at an inner city high school. His stories about a student named "Miss Jones" and his exposure to Anti Americanism while studying abroad will help you further understand his self reliance and love of country view point.
  4) His stories about friendship are especially touching. An expansion of his "Friendship Factor" chapter in his first book, he gives examples of why his friends are so important to him. The Joe Spencer - Peter Jennings story is especially moving. He really should write an entire book about the importance of friendship. It is his most astute chapter.
  
  But the big question I wanted to know -why is this man so confident and fearless?- Is never quite answered. Having grown up in his native Long Island, I have known many a person like Bill OReilly. You could magically drop them onto the far side of the galaxy and they will always espouse hard work, faith, family, and the goodness of America without the slightest doubt. After reading this book, I've come to the conclusion that Mr. OReilly simply is one of those men and probably always will be. No matter what their experiences in life, some people are just born that way.
  
  A few critiques-
  
  1) I do

• Irish Eyes Are Smiling  Sep 5, 2009 (9 of 11 found this helpful)

  Well, I am neither Irish nor Catholic, however, this book is entertaining and I not only smiled - I laughed aloud especially when reading chapter 13,"Mysteries Of The Universe" - my thoughts exactly!
  
  Bill O'Reilly, of the Factor fame, manages to appear completely confident and satisfied with himself, not only on television, but in his books. This book relates memories of the America and the world from the nineteen fifties onward which are shared by many Americans; what makes the book readable and unique are his opinions about life and people, his excellent education, good broadcasting jobs, awards, and the value of truthfulness all spiced with his brand of humor and bluntness.
  
  I recommend this book for the insights, the laughs, and the refreshing mix of humor and thoughtfulness. I suspect this isn't the "end of the story" and another will be forthcoming as the aging bold fresh piece of humanity continues to enjoy his debates and projecting his fair and balanced viewpoints (his words) so we can agree or disagree!

• A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity  Aug 23, 2009 (6 of 7 found this helpful)

  Took it on vacation. and it was just right. Not too light or too heavy (content, not the weight of the book). would recommend it.

• O'Reilly's Roots  Aug 10, 2009 (6 of 7 found this helpful)

  The book tells us from where this iconic independent hails and does so with the wit, insight and windmill jousting that we have come to expect from the author. There aren't enough stars to rate this work!

• Bold and Fresh  Aug 2, 2009 (6 of 7 found this helpful)

  Just finished A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity and I must say that Sister Lurana got it right. Bill is both bold and fresh and his take on politics is also bold and fresh and I really identify with him. He tells it like it is, apologizes to no one (nor should he) for his opinions. Keep it up Bill. There are those of us who really appreciate your views. We aren't Democrat or Republican. We are Independant thinkers, just like you, who want whats best for our once great country. I know that with more people like you, we can once again be A GREAT AMERICA.
  
  Buy this book. You will not regret it and you will learn much.