Charles Kuralt's America [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Charles Kuralt (Author, Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1995

Grammy Nominated!

"I keep thinking I will find something wonderful just around the bend."

Ever since October 1967, when he set off in a battered motor home to explore America and talk to its people, Charles Kuralt has been one of our premier chroniclers--a man who has helped us see and celebrate our country in a way we never had before.

After retiring from CBS News in 1994, he set out to spend a perfect year in America-traveling to his twelve favorite American places, in just the right month for a visit to each. With his well known warmth, humor and insight, he shows them to us now in "Charles Kuralt's America."

From Montana in September and Alaska in June to winter in Cajun country and North Carolina mountains in spring, Kuralt's accounts are filled with people, stories and experiences. Suffused by a poet's love of language and rich in the spirit and flavor of this infinite and varied land, "Charles Kuralt's America" is, like its author, a national treasure.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Former CBS newsman Kuralt's tales from the road spent 17 weeks on PW's bestseller list.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

After serving 37 years as a reporter at CBS, Kuralt retired and set out on a trip to see his favorite American locations at their best. During the course of a year, he traveled across the country and stopped, for example, at Charleston, South Carolina, for the azaleas in March and Woodstock, Vermont, for the fall colors in October. In this journal, the author records the people, places, and pets he encountered. One of the most interesting chapters in the book is the final one, set in Manhattan, Kuralt's hometown, in December. Kuralt describes small-town New York, a large city composed of tiny, personal neighborhoods. This pleasant, genial book will be of interest to Kuralt fans. Recommended for public libraries.
Caroline Mitchell, Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; Abridged edition (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067179745X
• ISBN-13: 978-0671797454
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,459,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Books on Cassette > Travel
  • #53 in Books > Books on Cassette > History > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is an excellent journey for the senses., January 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Charles Kuralt's America (Hardcover)

The book "America" by Charles Kuralt is an exciting journey from one corner of America to the other, and from one part of Kuralt's life to another during "a very special year." Memories of "On the Road" are easily evoked as you start your adventure among the uniqueness of New Orleans. Areas sampled along the way vary from the seacoasts of Maine and California to the mountains of North Carolina and the vibrant streets of New York. The reader discovers the warmth and beauty of our nation as shown in the diversity of people and activities that Kuralt revels in during his magical year. This book may be of special interest to those who are not intimate with the USA, and can be used as a starting point for planning one's own journey of discovery and delight. I heartily recommend this trek through America.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching and Inspiring, November 28, 2000

By 

"kristimk" (Honolulu, Hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Charles Kuralt's America (Audio Cassette)

This is one of the best books ever! It was a gift given to me a while ago, and I have listened to it several times. I actually own it on audiocassette, and I think that this is one of those books that are better listened to and experienced that way than through reading. The sound of his voice adds so much expression and emotion to his recounts, and the stories are entertaining with an underlying "life lesson" in each. His appreciation and admiration of the world are simply, absolutely beautiful.

You simply cannot pass up such a wonderful book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Makes you feel like you were there, September 9, 2001

By 

ANDREW MCHENRY (Emporia, KS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Charles Kuralt's America (Paperback)

When Charles Kuralt retired from CBS he decided to do something enjoyable.... spend a year vacationing at his favorite places in the country. He selected twelve places, and spent one month in each place in it's peak season: January in New Orleans, October in Vermont, August in Maine, etc. Each chapter gives a 20-30 page account of his experiences in each individual location.

Good: Kuralt is just an excellent writer. After reading each chapter you feel like you've visited each place yourself. In my opinion his most interesting visits were Twin Bridges, Montana; Ketchikan, Alaska; Key West, and New Orleans. He gives brilliant, flavorful descriptions of the sights, sounds, smells, and personalities he runs into in each part of the country.

Bad: Kansas wasn't included in his travels. Also, it would be interesting to see how someone from my generation would do a book like this. Kuralt's perspective seems more geared towards his own generation. But that certainly didn't keep a young buck like me from enjoying it.

Opinion: This book is a great retreat for those of us who would like to travel to the wonderful places this country has more often but have neither the time nor the resources to do so.