Billy O'Reilly?

Today when I hear someone call me Danny, its usually an old timer. Bill O'Reilly penned A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity in 2008. Its title is rather pointless until you know its origin.

A word about the title. At the ripe old age of eight, Bill O'Reilly had negatively impressed Sister Lurana, his teacher at St. Bridgid's School in Westbury, New York. One day she called him A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity. He has never forgotten. His book is an attempt to reveal how he became what he is.

O'Reilly has held numerous positions in the media, has written 9 books selling in the millions, is married with two children. To learn more, check Wikipedia on the web or other sources. One thing we have in common is that he was called Billy by some of his classmates at their 25th reunion. Was he annoyed then? Not a bit.

I do suggest that you take a look at it, or perhaps even dig into it whether you are one of his avowed adversaries or a devoted fan (and he has many of both). If you want to see both friend and foe, “Google” him. When I did, after 80 pages I got this message: In order to show you the most relevant results, we have omitted some entries very similar to the 794 already displayed . . .

O'Reilly is well known today via The O'Reilly Factor. He grew up in a most humble environment maturing in the volatile '60s and '70s. His modest upbringing as a Catholic unquestionably shaped his morality as his personality and character evolved during those decades as significant changes to our traditional American culture occurred.

Bill O'Reilly attempts to explain in his story why he acts and thinks as he does which is a most difficult task but he minces no words as he does so. It is a sobering, insightful book for both friend and foe to examine.

Am I sorry I read the book? No. Seniors (and others) could relive that volatile era from the 1960's onward to better understand how the past five decades has impacted all of us. That alone is worthy of your consideration.