Who the Hell is Bob?: The Man Behind the Magic

This is a book you absolutely can't put down until you've reached the final page . . . Skillful author Steve Rudman has woven a seamless saga of the improbable and inspiring life of Bob Walsh -- replete with humor, heartbreak, intrigue, humanity, and triumph -- in diverse, unequal, and unpredictable doses. While not a biography in the traditional sense, the book chronicles the seemingly endless and entertaining episodes in which Walsh was the catalyst and central figure. It's especially very timely because of the many years that Walsh spent dealing with operatives in the very Russian/Middle East countries that are the focus of America's anti-terrorism activities today. And Rudman's treatment of Walsh's extensive entrepreneurial and humanitarian efforts in the region are laid upon a rich quilt of historical perspective. The book also is a poignant profile of a man who litterally "walked with giants" in an amazing array of fields -- even as he was often villified in his very own hometown of Seattle, Washington. No one who eagerly devours the easily digested pages will be unfulfilled. Rather than one of the plethora of "how-to" books, this is a "how-did" book that will leave every reader, at once, intrigued and more informed and inevitably inspired. Trite as it may be: If you only read one book this year, make it Who The Hell Is Bob? I promise you won't be disappointed!

A great behind the scenes book about many people and events of the last 40 years, all tied together by their connection with Bob Walsh. Lots of interesting stories from all over the globe. A very good read!

Out of nowhere comes a compelling, multi-faceted tale, a nominal biography of Bob Walsh, an extraordinary, ordinary fellow who answers to "Who the Hell Is Bob?"The author Steve Rudman has adopted the third person voice in a novelistic style to tell his non-fiction tale. He infuses it with action and suspense; sometimes we are left hanging for a chapter or two in anticipation, while other events transpire. Any one who starts this book late in the day is sure to miss a couple of bedtimes, before reaching the final pages.The book is replete with stories of events that charm, amuse and inspire. One shares in the wry perspective of a notable cleric whose beverage of choice was Black Jack neat. One learns of the early tribulations of Regis Philbin and of the warm-hearted, gentle side of the acerbic Mr. Blackwell, the tart-tongued bete noire of the presumptuously fashioned. In chronicling the ten-year effort of Lynne Cox to swim across the Bering Strait from the U.S. to the then U.S.S.R., a feat effectuated by Bob Walsh, author Rudman personalizes this myth-like quest of the solitary individual pitted against the natural elements, the limits of personal endurance and cold-war politics. (Walsh's staff was totally befuddled when the request for assistance in obtaining approval of this swim filtered in unofficially from the State Department via the U.S. Information Agency.) This narrative is so gripping in the end that we - the readers - feel as if we are swimming with her as she finally sights the Russian shore.A theme of the book, implicit in all the tales, as well as in the life of the main character Walsh, is that belief plus action plus confidence plus persistence can equal success. The author Rudman does not editorialize, but implicit throughout is this simple thesis stated in his preface; it's not until we have learned about a bone marrow transplant; open heart surgery involving a physical anomaly rarely encountered; an adoption in Tbilisi, Georgia; a missile-launching from Russia toward the U.S.; how an Armenian arms dealer saved a Seattle team providing earthquake relief in Armenia from boarding Pan Am 103 in London bound for Lockerbie, Scotland; and other unbelievable, but quite real, incidents that we realize we've been ushered along a wild rocky ride against the odds.An element of serendipity at first appears to drive the events in this book. It soon becomes apparent, however, that aspects of character, as well as a humanitarian penchant, more consistently represent Walsh's approach. Successes, failures, some abbreviated efforts -- all are reported in an entertaining manner by the author. At times the portrayal of Walsh may seem almost harsh in its realism, but this accuracy of reporting ultimately enhances the significance and poignancy of the story.Overall, these are very much life-affirming tales right out of the heart of the best of human experience -- paeans to determination, courage, perseverance and, in some cases, just plain

Out of nowhere comes a compelling, multi-faceted tale, a nominal biography of Bob Walsh, an extraordinary, ordinary fellow who answers to "Who the Hell Is Bob?" The author Steve Rudman has adopted the third person voice in a novelistic style to tell his non-fiction tale. He infuses it with action and suspense; sometimes we are left hanging for a chapter or two in anticipation, while other events transpire. Anyone who starts this book late in the day is sure to miss a couple of bedtimes before reaching the final pages. The book is replete with stories of events that charm, amuse and inspire. One shares in the wry perspective of a notable cleric whose beverage of choice was Black Jack neat. One learns of the early tribulations of Regis Philbin and of the warm-hearted, gentle side of the acerbic Mr. Blackwell, the tart-tongued bete noire of the presumptuously fashioned. In chronicling the ten-year effort of Lynne Cox to swim across the Bering Strait from the U.S. to the then U.S.S.R., a feat effectuated by Bob Walsh, author Rudman personalizes this myth-like quest of the solitary individual pitted against the natural elements, the limits of personal endurance and cold-war politics. (Walsh's staff was totally befuddled when the request for assistance in obtaining approval of this swim filtered in unofficially from the State Department via the U.S. Information Agency.) The narrative of the swim is so gripping in the end that we - the reader - feel as if we are swimming with her as she finallly sights the Russian shore. A theme of the book, implicit in all the tales, as well as in the life of the main character Walsh, is that belief plus action plus confidence plus persistence can equal success. The author Rudman does not editorialize, but implicit throughout is this simple thesis stated in his preface. It's not until we have learned about a bone marrow transplant; open heart surgery involving a physical anomaly rarely encountered; an adoption in Tbilisi, Georgia; a missile-launching from Russia toward the U.S.; and how an Armenian arms dealer saved a Seattle team providing earthquake relief in Armenia from boarding Pan Am 103 in London bound for Lockerbie, Scotland; and other unbelievable, but quite real, incidents that we realize we've been ushered along a wild rocky ride against the odds. An element of serendipity at first appears to drive the events in this book. It soon becomes apparent, however, that aspects of character, as well as a humanitarian penchant, more consistently represent Walsh's approach. Successes, failures, some abbreviated efforts -- all are reported in an entertaining manner by the author. At times the portrayal of Walsh may seem almost harsh in its realism, but this accuracy of reporting ultimately enhances the significance and poignancy of the story. Overall, these are very much life-affirming tales right out of the heart of the best of human experience -- paeans to determination, courage, perseverance and, in some cases, just