Customer Reviews

Charles Kuralt's America

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Charles Osgood called Kuralt "The only genius that television news ever produced." I'll go with that. People were surprised when Kuralt retired abruptly. We later learned that he was in the process of succumbing to a fatal disease. So Kuralt was not just touring America, he was saying good bye to it. It is a brilliant work.

I'd always looked forward to Kuralt's broadcasts on CBS. He made everything he talked about so very interesting. America is an intriguing book because Kuralt did something so many of us have wanted to do, take off and spend time in places we love. He decided to take a year and spend a month in a different place. Each place was well known to him, as were the people.
Kuralt spent January in New Orleans where the reader or listener is treated to a mouth watering and sensual description of a city that defies the visiter not to enjoy himself. As the reader or listener, you are given a tour through New Orleans that only someone who loves her can give. Each month finds the reader traveling to Alaska, North Carolina, Maine,Minnesota, and, of course, Christmas in New York City.
You want to take an exclusive arm chair tour of the the country? Sit down in a comfy chair with your favorite beverage and have your mind's eye captivated by some of the most vivid descriptions you"ll ever read.

I'm easy on this one. I like Charles Kuralt and I like travel books. I wrote my own travel Book "Hobo-ing America" Hobo-Ing America: A Workingman's Tour Of The U.S.A. When I compare my book to his it is easy to see the difference in personalities and "class." Charles Kuralt really writes middle class travel books. He is really not "Route 66," blue collar or working class material. But I understand. You really have to write books for those who can afford to buy them - though Jack Kerouac did pretty well nevertheless. Charles made a commercial success of his love to travel and he always does it with style, good prose and I would even say poetry. I will always read Charles Kuralt. This book is in the latter part of his career when he was older and even wiser - if that is possible.

Richard Edward Noble - The Hobo Philosopher - Author of:

"The Eastpointer" Selections from award winning column.

I did enjoy this book, but there were parts where I lost interest. Kuralt gives a lot of detail about the people he meets, but sometimes I didn't get as many details as I would have liked about the actual place he visited. In all, it is a book worth reading-- especially if you like to hear stories about individual characters.

If you've enjoyed Charles Kuralt over the years ,you'll love this book.In 255 pages we are treated to 120 stories about interesting,famous,familiar,personal,human intrest stories and just about anything you might come across if you travelled America as Kuralt did and told us about for so many years.What you should really get from this book is that there is this type of thing all around us,no matter where you go or where you live.One doesn't have to spend their coin,or line up with crowds to see interesting things or meet interesting people.Everyone has a story to tell and every place has it's unusual or interesting points of interest.I have been a long time follower of Ripley's Believe It or Not! ;and that is what Ripley did as he travelled the world to find the unbelievable,unusual,strange or otherwise interesting.
The book will provide a great read for anyone interested in people or things,whether they are young,middle-aged or in their senior years.

Poetic and inspiring, Charles Kuralt at his best

I received my book very quickly and in the excellent condition it was advertised to be in. I am very pleased with the product, the supplier, and the service.