The Joys of Basic Training, 1951

Becoming a Soldier in a Time of War

When Bill Clinton was preparing to take over as president of the United States, he got a lesson from Ronald Reagan on how to salute. Back then, it was unusual to have a president without military experience. Today, it’s unremarkable. Neither Barack Obama nor Mitt Romney has served in uniform. While I would never vote for a candidate merely because he served–other factors weigh much more heavily–I believe that both presidential nominees today lack a measure of personal experience that would benefit any commander-in-chief. You learn a lot in the …

Hawking the Tabloids at Age 10

When the Country Went to War, My Brother and I Went to Work

In 1940 my brother and I went into the newspaper business. I was 10 and Raul was eight. Father had made us a wagon out of plywood. It was an …

My Getaway Car

War Reels, Liquor Store Holdups, and My Exploits on the Rails

World War Two, which started when I was 11 years old, was a difficult time for my family. Housing became scarce, particularly for a household of ten. I was the …