The Good Times is a sequel of sorts to Baker’s classic memoir Growing Up. This part of his life covers mainly his newpaper career at the Baltimore Sun and the New York Times. Baker’s writing is familar, friendly, but shows the craft he perfected over the years working deadlines. His introspection about his own failings encourages the rest of us. “Oh, Russell, make something of yourself” his mother would tell him. Even the two Pulitzer Prizes he won probably wouldn’t have been very impressive to her. The end of the book is a discussion of Baker’s nose to the grindstone work ethic and how it contrasts with his own children’s more laid back attitude toward life. At first it bothered him. Then he realized, his was a generational attitude, one that came with the sorrow of the Depression, one that he wouldn’t have wished on his children. This book, like all of Russell Baker’s books, is a gem and a pleasure to read. ( )

Memoir that covers, roughly, the years from 1947 to 1962, when Baker was a reporter (at various levels) for the Baltimore Sun, later transitioning to the New York Times; the volume concludes when Baker was given the "Observer" column he later held for many years. There is a wealth of funny stories in the book, and Baker doesn't spare himself from being the butt of humour, though I did find his naif routine in the politics of the Times, when one of his colleagues was forced out, to be a little bit assumed. He also wears his poverty a bit like a hair-shirt at times, which means to me that he might have been rather difficult to deal with, in the chip-on-shoulder department. Still, I think this was better than the first volume (Growing Up), in that to a certain extent, Baker *did* grow up. Recommended. ( )

1990: excellent story growing up + newspaper boy to reporter
1996: 2nd part growing up — ok — family interesting @ LBJ

Russell Baker rose steadily, from newsboy to college paper, from police reporter to rewrite man, from White House correspondent to Washington columnist. In outline these stages read like a successful resume, but it is Baker's recall of detail that make the story live. Nothing was easy. Success never is. Behind every triumph lies a pitfall, behind every joy a hard lesson. Baker tells it all from the mean streets of Baltimore to a seat at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and from watching Ike fish to sharing LBJ's secrets.

This was a nice, readable, enjoyable account of Baker's early adulthood, with fun glimpses into the world of newspapers in the mid-twentieth century. Baker frames the story with discussion of his mother's ambition for him. She was always telling him he should make something of himself, and even when he achieved success he was urged to try for greater things. His drive led him to a successful newspaper career. He served in London and did a lot of Senate, White House, and campaign reporting before finally settling into life as a columnist, where he ends this portion of his story.

Baker provides wonderful descriptions of life in London, his interactions with famous people, and the workings of the print media. He also provides a bit of commentary on the differences between his generation's ambition and his children's less ambitious, more freewheeling attitudes. Although he initially bemoans his mother's constant pressure to succeed, he eventually comes to the conclusion that this work ethic is a better approach.

I liked this one and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in journalism, history, or just a good memoir. ( )

Pulitzer Prize winning reporter talks about growing up in Baltimore MD in the 50'd; his first jobs as a reporter, and the famous people that he has covered. ( )