The One that Got Away: A Memoir

by Howell Raines

A sequel to Fly Fishing Through the Midlife Crisis finds a Pulitzer Prize-winning former New York Times executive editor evaluating the unpredictable natures of love, luck, aging, life, and mortality while discovering the ways in which fly fishing can be a metaphorical lesson about the empowerment of letting go. 125,000 first printing.

Genres: Nonfiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Patricia Tennesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great storyteller, as one would expect from a NYT journalist. A few hundred too many adjectives as if he is trying to show the reader his skills. Some of the turn-of-phrase comments were fun to read, but they did take away from the stories a bit. Many should have been edited out or cut to one adjective rather than two or three. I was surprised so many descriptions were honored by being allowed to remain.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intelligent read from an excellent wordsmith.He parallels in fascinating fashion his experiences fishing around the world with his life as a newspaper man.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

amusing first half. as lifelong fisherman, agree that the one that got away stays with us long after the fish we land. second half is self absorbing, little interest in the newspaper business. my take away. sometimes you just say f it and go fishing! glad to see my philosophy validated. yes, i realize this is way more than a fishing book.

[Tom Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Howell Raines with the same fever that he has for fishing. I believe this book contains two parts: First and foremost, his love of fishing in all kinds of exotic and non-exotic locales. The second part is about the newspaper industry and his love for it and finally his vindication for his (unjust) firing from the New York Times.

[Dan Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

He hooks a big fish, and takes us along for a long ride through bitterness and joy. This book is a mix of fishing and a defense of himself and the New York Times for the Jayson Blair fiasco - and it offers insight into both.

[David Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this one five stars because the author both entertained and challenged, though at times it was difficult.
I'm reasonably sure I can learn from this one. Definitely worth revisiting.

[Ray Savarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the prose used in writing this book. No big aha-moments philosophically, but a good read, very enjoyable.