BOOK REVIEW: ‘How Do We Get Out of Here’

OPINION:

I could write a book review here, but I don’t feel like it. I feel more like writing a story of a friendship in commemoration of a great memoir. So begrudge me.

I get about half a dozen books a week in my little inbox here on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. When I am out of the country, which I am a lot, I get stacks. I’ve been abroad over the holiday season, so I have returned to a bit of a backlog. I love books, and I’m grateful, but I just can’t get to every single one. It doesn’t mean I’m not interested; it just means I can’t read six books in a day.

But there’s one I received that is very personal to me. It is R. Emmett Tyrrell’s memoir, “How Do We Get Out of Here: Half a Century of Laughter and Mayhem at The American Spectator — From Bobby Kennedy to Donald J. Trump.”

The title comes from something Robert F. Kennedy said to him one night, and I think it’s a brilliant choice. This is a man who has seen everything, and the conservative Mr. Tyrrell’s respect for a Democratic icon is really cool, at least in my view.

And full disclosure: I have not yet read it completely. But I’ve lived it. I’ve lived the story, at least the latter part, in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, where his family and I became great friends and have spent a great deal of time together. We’ve spent hours and hours sharing stories over drinks and meals in his home. I went to Indiana, the scene of the crime, so to speak, where he founded The American Spectator as a student at Indiana University, and we even visited the pool where he nearly became an Olympic-level swimmer. I also became friendly with his wife and family, and the staff of The American Spectator. All of them are very special, and I feel fortunate to know them. The Spectator is an American treasure. I’ve written for them a lot, and it’s always special for me to appear on their pages.

I remember sitting in Bob’s library reading drafts of different books he was working on. He wanted my opinion on all sorts of things, because that’s how thoughtful people work. They always solicit outside opinions. Now that I’m a columnist most of the time, I always check myself with an outside opinion before submitting my work. Just because you might be somewhat smart doesn’t mean you are perfect. Bob is always very careful about what he writes.

All to say this: Bob Tyrrell, much like William F. Buckley and my other favorite writer, Christopher Hitchens, spent a lot of time listening and only a little time writing. That’s because when you listen a lot, the writing comes easy. This is how I write, and many other columnists do as well. You need input. You need to quiz people in order to forge thoughts so you can make your point in a convincing and non-stupid or self-focused way. Buckley was like that. Hitchens was like that, and Bob Tyrrell is like that, as you will read in the book: a rare breed and a national treasure. His impact on our society is simply undeniable. This book makes the point clearly.

I particularly recall Bob coming home one night and calling me over for a cocktail. I always loved coming over to his library (called the Lincoln Library because one of his ancestors was part of the Lincoln administration). The library is where he writes, talks and thinks. It’s awesomely old-school. I treasure the memories. He and his wife had just met then-Prince Charles, and he was ebullient. He wanted to toast the future king, which I was glad to do.

I would offer my thoughts, but we would always wind up talking about writing. He taught me a lot. He is a very thoughtful man.

That thoughtfulness comes through in his memoir. As the title says, he had indeed been through Bobby Kennedy to Donald Trump and everything in between. The stories and the lessons are amazing. Can you imagine Kennedy asking you in your ear, “How do we get out of here?” while trying to find an exit after a long day? I can’t. But Bob does.

R. Emmett Tyrrell is a national treasure. You really need to read this book.

• Christian Josi is a veteran public affairs and media relations professional as well as a globe-trotting singer. He writes often for a variety of publications.

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“How Do We Get Out of Here”
R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr.
Bombardier Books
September 2023, 400 pages, $24.49