Years of Minutes: The Best of Rooney from 60 Minutes

From the trivial, mundane, and the very seriously charged issues the author has an opinion for everything and everyone. The essays may be brief, but they stiil contain Mr. Rooney's caustic tone and dry humor. The great diversity of topics made this a fast read. I found his last four years to be the most entertaining. In 2000-Whats The Symbolism? 2001-The Great Country. 2002-Libraries, and 2003-The French to be poignant and painfully truthful.

He's lovably curmudgeonly! He's a pontificator and lugubriator. He's spirited AND wrinkled. He's plucky and roseola-y. He's like your grandpa. If your grandpa was one of those guys you just could NOT stand to talk to and had breath that smelled of scotch and arse. I have a wonderful dream where Andy falls down the stairs at an unused stairwell at CBS and the lights go out. Andy weeps softly .. too proud to scream for help. Soon, his bladder takes over and the resulting smell attracts the rats. He fights them off but without his medicine his strength is sapped. Soon they are on him and Andy signs off for good.

Andy Rooney: from his modest beginnings as a midget in 'Not to Be Trusted', to his eyebrow raising turn as a buck-toothed asian man in 'Breakfast At Tiffany's', Andy Rooney has been winning over America with his plucky drive and indomitable spirit. Now the famed commentator from 60 minutes is back with a collection of delightful old man thoughts. Reading this book was like leafing through the cross-sections of a dried brain, and being held in awe by the rich colours and intricate patterns. 5 stars.

Andy Rooney is a national treasure that much of our population obviously does not care enough about by the lack of readers posting a review on this book. Regardless of your politics, Rooney is an entertaining ol' coot. A little simplistic on his views of military and inteligence spending (regardless of who was in the White House). Whether he's taking a look at the mundane (the contents of his desk) or the emotional emptiness after the 9/11 attacks, Rooney always has something poinient (spelling?) to say. Even if you never watch 60 Minutes, this compellation is a wonderful look back at Andy's years on the news magazine show that started them all. A must read.