Remembering Charles Kuralt

Commissioned by his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to gather and compile an oral history of fellow alum Charles Kuralt, Grizzle produced this sweet, lovely homage to the traveling CBS news correspondent. Having interviewed nearly 100 people for the book--including Kuralt's first girlfriend, his best friend from sixth through 12th grades and colleagues like Walter Cronkite and Andy Rooney--Grizzle is quick to point out that this is not a biography but a chronologically arranged collection of verbal reminiscences, keen glimpses into the life of a remarkably optimistic man. A newsman himself, Grizzle does not dissect and analyze every sticky detail of Kuralt's life and career, but honors and celebrates a journalist who represents, for him, the best in the business. All of the people he talked to report their high regard for Kuralt's maturity, seriousness and gift with words. Even as a boy, Kuralt had a resonant voice, considered himself a reporter and dreamed of heading up the New York Times. Grizzle devotes a chapter to each person with whom he spoke and links every anecdote with an insight from Kuralt's collection of personal letters and articles, A Life on the Road. For fans of On the Road who still admire--and miss--Kuralt's faith in humanity and the simple pleasures he enjoyed and shared, this is a welcome commemoration. 95 b&w photos. (July)