In 2006, I got a book published called Foxes in the Henhouse, which was a political diatribe about how Democrats had been losing elections by ignoring significant segments of the American population.

The book was doing well enough – up to the 1,300th best-selling book in America - good in light of the fact that there were over 250,000 books published in the US that year.

I hadn’t seen anything yet.

On my book tour, my publisher booked me on Tim Russert’s TV show that reviewed books. Russert was host of NBC’s popular Sunday program Meet the Press, and landing a spot with Tim was the gold standard for authors – and he gave me the entire hour.

Russert was highly respected for his jovial demeanor and his meticulous preparation.

Upon arriving at the studio, Tim welcomed me and kindly said he loved my book. He was holding it and I noticed dozens of sticky notes marking dozens of pages in the book.

This was important because most interviewers would’ve had a junior staffer read the book and prepare questions for the interviewer.

Not Russert.

Sure enough, before we went on camera, Russert began citing chapter and verse from sections of the book. He had good questions and even better insight. I’d be in for a good interview.

But Russert went one step further. “I particularly loved what you said about your Mom in the acknowledgements,” he said.

I was kind of stunned, “Tim, no one reads the acknowledgements.” To which he replied with his trademark grin, “I always read the acknowledgements.”

What Tim was referring to, was my mention of my religious mother’s deathbed fear that she wouldn’t get into heaven and my assurance that if she didn’t, no one else would either.

Just before we went on the air, Russert, without arrogance just matter-of-factly, said “You will sell a lot of books after this appearance.”

He was right. Within days of the show, mine was the 42nd best-selling book in America.

Tim died several years later – far too young. He’s sorely missed.