The Hill Street Blahg

I just finished reading one of my Christmas presents. My wife, knowing how I love to read, bought me several books for Christmas and I saved the thick one for last, all 639 pages of it. The title of the book is The Prince of Darkness, by Robert Novak.

Robert Novak, a hard hitting Conservative Washington journalist, provides the reader with 50 years of American history as he covered and participated in. Novak pulls no punches regarding his strong points and doesn’t hold back from admitting his weaknesses. He openly discusses the Washington power players he covered and presents a fascinating history of the past half century in American politics. He also goes on to exposes the self-absorbed politicians he came to know as well as the politicians who made a positive difference in our lives.

Novak, born a Jew, openly discusses his excesses–smoking, heavy drinking, fighting, etc, and also is very candid concerning the things that have had an impact on his life, both personally and politically. One such event being his late in life conversion to Catholicism and the reasons why he came to love the Church.

Novak is a remarkable man and has lived what many would call a fulfilled life. He’s worked hard and played hard, and most importantly he loved what he did and he did it well. Obviously he made enemies as a result of his craft, but you can’t help but think his adversaries have a sliver of respect for his honesty and ideals. If you enjoy history and politics, the book is well worth reading.