Its Father's Day counterpart, from another highly visible news figure, is "Big Russ and Me" by Tim Russert, an autobiography full of tough love from the author's father.

The host of "Meet the Press" presents readers' letters about their fathers in response to his book "Big Russ and Me."

It was Monday, and Mr. Russert's book about his father, "Big Russ and Me," was being celebrated.

Skip Tim Russert's new book, "Wisdom of Our Fathers" (Random House), the follow-up to his best-selling "Big Russ and Me."

Big Russ lies about his children missing to his friend Don and they leave for the camp without the Thompsons, infuriating Russ who promptly says his boys are grounded.

A perfect example of the shadow looming over the ghostwriting- industrial complex is Tim Russert's memoir, "Big Russ and Me."

In calling attention to the literary obstetrics involved in the gestation of "Big Russ and Me," let me confess to a personal bias.

It may come as a relief to television viewers around the country that Tim Russert, the intimidating host of "Meet the Press," learned everything he needed to know from Big Russ, his garbageman father.

I did when I first wrote "Big Russ and Me."

I witnessed it personally based on the avalanche of letters I got from people who read "Big Russ" - they interpreted "Big Russ" as an invitation to talk about their own dads.