From AudioFile
This work is a companion to Russert’s memoir of his father, BIG RUSS AND ME. After publishing that bestseller, the author received some 60,000 letters and emails from people who described their fathers–excerpts from which comprise this book. Most of the writers are positive about their fathers; all reveal depth of feeling. Russert narrates, as well as reading a number of the letters. Most are read by several unnamed men and women. Russert’s performance reflects his experience as a broadcast journalist: He is clear and undramatic, though his reading is quite heartfelt. The various readers are more dramatic, with one woman affecting a Southern accent. All portray the sincere love that these letters express. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine– Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine –This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From Booklist
Surprised by the overwhelming and heartfelt reception to Big Russ and Me(2004), Russert follows that memoir of his relationship with his father with a collection of letters he received recounting relationships between fathers and their sons and daughters. Russert, host of NBC’s Meet the Press, received 60,000 letters and e-mails from readers with their own touching memories of filial love. Interspersed throughout, Russert recollects moments as a son and as a father, as well as conversations with famous figures, including Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and news reporter Maria Shriver, about their fathers. But the contributors are decidedly ordinary Americans, many with recollections that highlight generational differences of a time when fathers were less than demonstrative. Many recall taciturn fathers who couldn’t bring themselves to tell their children they loved them but showed it in myriad ways. Many write of lessons learned about honor from fathers. A man recalls going to a New York Giants game with his father, who passed up an opportunity to sell extra tickets to scalpers and instead sold them–at cost–to another father with his son. Women recall how ties to their father set the tone for later relationships with men. One contributor recalls her father’s tolerance as she and her sisters practiced applying makeup on him, going so far as to paint his toenails. Once again, Russert celebrates the relationship between fathers and their children in this heartwarming book. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association.