First published 2008
Bill O'Reilly returns to his childhood in 1950s Westbury, New York, where an exasperated nun branded eight-year-old William a "bold, fresh piece of humanity" after one too many classroom disruptions. O'Reilly examines the working-class Irish Catholic world that shaped his worldview, from the strict discipline of St. Brigid's School to his family dinner table debates. He chronicles his path from restless student to news correspondent covering wars across five continents, showing how his traditional values crystallized through decades of reporting. O'Reilly applies his characteristic directness to his own story, revealing the experiences that forged his controversial opinions and confrontational style. The memoir connects his blue-collar roots to his rise as a polarizing media figure, exploring how a mischievous kid from Long Island became one of television's most watched personalities. O'Reilly balances self-examination with humor, acknowledging his flaws while defending the principles that drove his career. This personal account reveals the man behind the pundit.
Genres: autobiography, memoir, biography-memoir, catholic
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, self-examination
Setting: Westbury, New York, St. Brigid's School
Period: 1950s
256 pages · Hardcover · Broadway Books