Growing Up

Russell Baker, who won the Pulitzer Prize in 1979, deserves to be a national treasure on the basis of this book alone. It traces his youth in rural Virginia, from the death of his father when he was only five through his growing up years between the wars. The rest of the book is a paean to his mother, a strong-willed optimist who never accepted defeat as an alternative to success. Her unfailing faith in the talents of her young son were not misplaced. This is an iconic and magical piece of literature, a story of courage and love, of the bonds of family in spite of tension and disagreement.Wonderful both as a story and as a piece of writing.

Russell Baker's charmingly written "Growing Up" takes us through the stages of his eventful life, from his early rural boyhood, through the hard times of the Depression when he lived with his widowed mother and a houseful of her relatives in New Jersey, to the World War II years and beyond. His tone throughout is modest and unassuming, and each stage is presented according to his maturity level as he grew up. His mother's high expectations set a high bar for Baker through his growing up years, and must have contributed to his successful eventual career at the New York Times. "Growing Up" is carefully crafted by this experienced writer, yet reads as if he had effortlessly put together this a seamless memoir. The many characters come to vivid life with all their virtues and foibles, and Baker's narrative flows smoothly from beginning to end. A great read!

This book - some 348 pages of easy reading - first published in 1982, has received about all the kudos a book can: Ann Landers loved it, the New York Times critic, likewise (though Baker's long time tenure with the New York Times as a Pulitzer Prize winning correspondent probably guaranteed that!), the 'Book of the Month' people blessed it with their vote, publishers continue to reissue it (at least 9 times), and book stores continue to stock it. This book's enduring popularity can't be some accident! The dust cover promises either humor or pathos on every page and I think that's close to accurate. So do yourself a favor! Read this book! It will lift your spirits and improve your disposition. Also, here's a note for some of the previous reviewers: Baker was born in 1925, so this book is not about growing up in the early 1900's, or in the 19th century, or about serving in WWI (Baker served in WWII). Also, Baker has published other books, including "The Good Times" (1992) and Looking Back" (2001).

Russell Baker's story from childhood to an adult is undoubtedly one of the very best of this genre--a classic that will be read long after Baker has been taken from this earth. I am biased, perhaps, because Baker and I share the same year of birth and some similar experiences. Baker's story is also very much the story of one of the "greatest generation," the generation who suffered in poverty during the Great Depression, then became part of the 12 million American men who enlisted or were drafted to fight--and help win--the Second World War. Baker did not get overseas, but the accounts of his Naval flight training will bring smiles and nods to all of those who underwent the long training ordeal before getting one's wings. But Growing Up is also a story of Baker's mother, an indominable woman so very typical of her generation, and who had the handicap of losing her husband when Russel was five years old. His mother's grit, her frugality, her determination to see that her children, particularly Russell, would "make something of himself" is endearing and will strike a familiar chord with many of us who grew up during those years. The book is beautifully written, wonderfully evocative of time and place, and filled with vignettes of some of the colorful Baker clan who shared part of Baker's growing years. The whimsical humor of a Baker column that ran for so many years in the New York Times is present here, much of it directed towards himself and his fumbles and bumbles. Equally amusing and honest are his tales of his Navy time, his failed attempts at seduction, and a hilarious account of a weekend drinking binge that prepared him for a check ride--he was was on the verge of washing out of the cadet program--that astounded his check ride flight instructor.This is a book for the night bookshelf, to be picked up again and again for pure enjoyment.