The Times of My Life: And My Life with the Times

This book begins in Germany, where the author was born in 1930. The account of how he and his parents got out of Hitler's grasp is vivid and breathtaking, and alone is worth the price of the book. Then his account of growing up in New York, his education in high school and college, and how he became connected with the New York Times is of sustaining interest, as is his account of his career there. I thought it equally as good as Katherine Graham's Pulitzer-prize-winning account of her career, and all it told of the Washington Post.

Mr. Frankel focuses his keen journalist's eye on himself and his work, producing a fascinating account of his own life, the evolution of journalism, and recent history. His vision for society, and the journalist's role in it, makes this book a must-read for any informed citizen in a liberal democracy. His perspective on events, honed by years at The Times, is amazing.

Max Frankel conveys both personal insights and moving descriptions in his story that spans his escape from Nazi Germany to his reign as top dog at America's most influential newspaper. With gripping insight, clear writing and a passion for accurate, ethical journalism, Frankle weaves a tale that is hard to put down. A true page-turner that makes you think, told with self-depricating honesty any journalist would be proud to emulate.

Mr. Frankel's vivid, lively writing takes the reader on a time machine right to the scenes he describes. Mr. Frankel excels as he shares the fear, pain, pride, and accomplishments he experienced during some of the most tumultuous periods in United States and world history. A must-read for anyone interested in history, journalism or social science. I consider myself fortunate to own an autographed copy.

My sole reason for reading this is that it is part of my book of the month club. I came to read this with great anticipation about how he progressed throughout his career and how he got himself there. While the author does not delve greatly upon his personal ambitions and what drives him to be the top editor of a premier newspaper, he does recount with exceptional clarity and prose his life from Berlin to America and his journeys abroad. A fantastic book.