One More Time: The Best of Mike Royko

The best, from one of the best ever!

I always find it hardest to write reviews for books that I like unconditionally. The genius of this work just seems... too obvious for words.Royko has a good eye for unsung heroes, as in "Mighty Teddy Still the Champ." First describing a "twenty-eight-year-old muscle-head" who earns six figures, he contrasts this with an talented, gritty, but unknown Chicago softball star who played about 250 games a year for 20+ years.Royko also has a keen eye for absurdity, as in "Don't Let Food Bug You," where he describes actual legal definitions for acceptable defect levels. "Don't ask me why they allow fewer insects in apple butter than in raisins, but more rodent hairs," he comments. "I guess it's a matter of taste."Royko has an obsession with justice and bluntly cuts through the absurdity of government beaurocracy, as in "A Faceless Man's Plea," the story of a veteran whose request for help in restoring his blown up face are replied to in form letters from the VA.Perhaps most impressively, whenever it seems that Royko gets backed into a corner, he fights back with humor- and ALWAYS wins. On of the high points for me is "High Rise Man," where Royko responds to criticism that he is drifting away from his working class roots. "As an amateur anthropologist, I was familiar with the ways of Two Flat Man, Bungalow Man, Tavern Man...," he claims. "I decided to follow the example of Margaret Mead, the late social anthropologist, whose method was to be part of the tribal culture she studied."

Like Daley the elder, Royko IS Chicago. And packed with a surprising amount of relevance for today. And SUCH a writer!!!

I'm pushing 80, a retired elementary teacher, and well remember using a few examples of Rokoy's columns, that appeared in our local paper, to help my group of gifted students understand satire. In discussions with my grand daughter, I realized she was having same issue with a writing assignment. I went on line and purchased this, laughed so much I had to order the other. Now, I cannot part with either one, want to share with friends in my "snowbird" village, so had to buy another copy to give my grandchild! I read and giggle, and I have only been to Chicago twice, and neither time did I get out of the car! This is great humorous reading no matter where you live or where you have been! Enjoy

Royko was a brilliant columnist who described the Chicago of the era with wit and accuracy. His column when MLK was shot is moving and right on. Wonderful reading. If you love Chicago you will love this book.

Before purchasing this book I had never read a Mike Royko column. I am not from Chicago and I do not recall seeing his column in the newspapers I read.The book is a treat. Mike Royko wastes no words. Many of Royko's columns in the book are about life's absurdity, which Royko notes with biting satire. At other times he is sentimental. As another reviewer noted, the piece Mike Royko wrote after the death of his first wife was very moving. Amazingly Mike Royko had no educational background to be a writer. He taught himself via on the job training.I did note some possible inconsistencies in the columns in the book. This is not a criticism. Mike Royko had a debater's ability to argue either side of an issue. Also, people are entitled and frequently should change their opinions based upon new facts and thoughts.I highly recommend this book. The introductions or commentaries to each decade of Mike Royko's career written by Lois Wille add significantly to the book.

I remember when I was a kid and we moved to Chicago in 1969 from Wyoming. Within a few years, I would hear my parents and their friends talking and laughing over the recent newspaper columns written by Mike Royko.I relived this period as I read this book, as he covers a wide range of subjects, from politics, to sports, and current affairs of that time period. His story telling and satirical style are unmatched. I feel I was transported back in time. My 24 year old daughter also loved this book.

Brought back wisdom that is as relative now as it was back then. Mike was such a good writer to help put any circumstance into perspective. Enjoyed this book.

初めてマイク・ロイコのコラムを読んだのは、井上一馬さんの翻訳「男のコラム」でだった。以来、その痛烈な官僚批判、弱い者（カブスは最近弱くないけど...）を守らずにはいられない正義感、そして何よりも人間そのものを愛する彼の魅力に取りつかれた。これは、ロイコの追悼記念出版とも言うべき一冊で、97年に亡くなったロイコの友人、知人が彼の既発表コラムの中から各年代ごとに最高傑作を選んで編んだマイク・ロイコの最高傑作集である。ロイコのコラムを読んだことがないのであれば、まずは井上一馬さんの素晴しい翻訳を楽しんでいただきたい。次にロイコのウィット溢れる文章をぜひ原文で読んでみたくなった人、ロイコのコラムをもっと沢山読んでみたくなった人には、なによりもまずこの一冊をオススメする。一編一編のコラムは短いものであるし、ロイコの英語は比較的平易なことでも知られているため、ペーパーバック初挑戦という人にもお勧めしたい。

I really enjoyed this book of Mike Royko' s humorous and sometimes brave newspaper articles as a Chicago journalist. He had a great style of writing - I learned a lot about Chicago and admired his ethics and story telling.

I used to make a point of reading Mike Rothko whenever I was in Chicago. I'm sure the horde of #Whatevers would be on him like a plague (which they are) today. I miss him. It's great to be able to revisit his wonderful columns in this book.

Got it. Love this man. We need a new columnist just like him.

Good