I didn't like the competitiveness of big-time journalism.

I wasn't a very discriminating reader. I read just about everything that came along.

I recognize that I had a good deal of good luck in my life. I came along at a time when it was pretty easy to get a job in journalism. I went to work at CBS News when I was about 22, and within a year or so was reporting on the air.

I made friends with a lot of those who could have criticized me in print and who didn't, who praised me instead.

I had a tight stomach all the time. I actually developed ulcers. I've learned better than to put all that internal pressure on myself.

The first books I was interested in were all about baseball. But I can't think of one single book that changed my life in any way.

I think I'd have done better if I had been a little more relaxed-if I had not pressed quite so hard, if I'd not lost quite so much sleep.