Fat Man in a Middle Seat: Forty Years of Covering Politics

As a life-long political junkie, I loved all of this book, a real page turner! Jack tells it like he saw it over 40 very active years. It is especially important for young - and older - Americans to read the history of how our electoral process is changing. I enjoyed his stories of the various politicans and others he came in contact with over the past 40 years, plus his life growing up. I high recommend this book to anyone having even a tiny bit of interest in politics.

This is a must-read for anyone even slightly interested in American politics of the late 20th century. I have admired Jack Germond's straightforward, thoughtful manner for years on the McLaughlin Group, and can remember thinking how fascinating it would be to end up sitting on a plane next to him. Imagine my surprise and delight when the title of his memoirs was "Fat Man in a Middle Seat." Germond pulls no punches in his descriptions of politicians he has known, from Averill Harriman and Nelson Rockefeller to George Bush and Bill Clinton. Most of the other reader reviews here are on the mark, but I would add one important point: Germond's discussion on race relations in the US, from the civil rights era to the present, is as insightful a commentary as I have read anywhere. He went to high school in Louisiana, and travelled through the South in the 60's covering the civil rights movement. He has known the players from George Wallace to Jesse Jackson, and, as with the other people in the book, describes their personalities and motivations with great insight. I rarely re-read a book, but when I finished the book I immediately re-read the chapter, "Race and Politics."Germond's constant references to his drinking and skirt-chasing were a little distracting, but since this is a memoir from someone who tells it like it is, one should not be surprised that he included his own vices as part of the narrative.

A must read for political junkies. Jack is himself, what you see is what you get! Thoughtful, informative, intelligently written, funny, the book describes forty (count them, 40) years of covering politics. The author deserves praise for the casual manner in which he tackles such a dynamic subject--journalistm. He is definitely old school, and it shows. A must read for anyone who is interested in journalism, political history, and modern politics.

Anyone who has become a fan of Jack's through his TV appearances over the past years, as have I, will thoroughly enjoy this easy-to-read account of his 40 years of covering politics. Some very interesting insights are contained therein plus some intriguing stories that will surprise some. Jack writes much like he talks - low key, matter-of-fact, no-nonsense/bottom line assessments. A great read all the way around.

Wonderful memoir by a streetwise political reporter. The curiosity of this book is the vehemence with which Germond goes after George Bush; the details he provides do not seem to warrant his dislike of the man. In fact, after reading Germond's account of his relationship with Bush I think George and Barbara would be justified in not caring much for him. A very good book nevertheless!