Between You and Me by Mike Wallace

Paperback: 292 pages
Publisher: Hyperion (May 2, 2007)

Following the death of 60 Minutes legend Mike Wallace, the first thing I did upon getting back to Louisville--following the first days of Passover being spent in Chicago--was head over to the Louisville Free Public Library to pick up a copy of this book. It was a rather quick read for me but that's also because Wallace's voice was in my head while reading.

Wallace goes in-depth on his battle with depression during the Westmoreland lawsuit and how he felt betrayed by the whole incident with getting the Jeffrey Wigand interview onto the small screen.

There are excerpts upon excerpts of a countless number of interviews that Wallace did throughout his career, starting when it was just a local show in New York. The hardcover version includes a 90 minute DVD--no doubt including clips in the recent 60 Minutes clip show to celebrate Mike Wallace's life in the news.

There's no doubt that Wallace has been missed by many since he went into retirement a few years back. There's not that many people, in news these days, that can do what the iconic newsman was able to do. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. That's what I'll say as you begin to read his book.

Peter Rader just wrote Mike Wallace: A Life, published earlier this month. Brilliant timing on the part of the publisher. It's sitting in my book pile at the moment and I expect to get to it shortly.

Grade: A