So This Is Depravity

So This Is Depravity collects over 100 humorous essays from Russell Baker's long-running New York Times column "Observer." The pieces were written between 1962-1975 and showcase Baker's wit and commentary on American life during that era. Baker examines topics ranging from politics and current events to family life, technology, and changing social norms. His observations focus heavily on the absurdities of modern living and bureaucracy in mid-century America. The essays maintain a lighthearted tone while addressing serious cultural shifts of the 1960s and early 1970s. Baker's commentary touches on Vietnam, Watergate, the space race, suburban expansion, and the generation gap. Through humor and satire, the collection explores themes of progress versus tradition and questions whether technological and social advances have improved the human condition. The essays present a snapshot of an America grappling with rapid change.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Russell Baker's overall work: Readers consistently highlight Baker's wit and observational humor, particularly in his memoir "Growing Up." Many note his talent for finding humor in everyday situations without resorting to cynicism. On Goodreads, readers frequently mention his clear, unpretentious writing style. Liked: - Relatable descriptions of Depression-era family life - Honest portrayal of mother-son relationships - Humor that doesn't mock its subjects - Clear, straightforward prose Disliked: - Some readers found his political columns dated - Later works considered less engaging than early writing - Some memoir sections move slowly Ratings: - "Growing Up": 4.0/5 on Goodreads (13,000+ ratings) - "The Good Times": 3.9/5 on Goodreads (500+ ratings) - Amazon reviews average 4.5/5 across his books One reader noted: "Baker captures family dynamics with precision and warmth." Another wrote: "His columns remain relevant decades later - he saw through political theater before it became common."

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🎭 Russell Baker won two Pulitzer Prizes during his career - one for commentary (1979) and one for his autobiography "Growing Up" (1983). 📚 "So This Is Depravity" is a collection of Baker's satirical columns originally published in The New York Times, where he wrote the "Observer" column for 36 years. ✍️ The book showcases Baker's signature wit in tackling topics from politics to daily life, reflecting the societal changes and cultural landscape of America in the 1960s. 🗞️ Baker was one of the first journalists to pioneer the personal essay style in newspaper writing, paving the way for modern columnists who blend commentary with personal experience. 🎬 Beyond writing columns and books, Baker also hosted PBS's Masterpiece Theatre from 1992 to 2004, succeeding Alistair Cooke as only the second host in the program's history.