A Life Full of Days: A Memoir [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Chalmers Dale (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2003

These were the most exciting times in television history. This personal narrative - fascinating, difficult, ironic and funny - tells of an ordinary life filled with extraordinary moments. Emmy Award-winning CBS News producer Chalmers (Chum) Dale, examined and documented the human condition in over 300 shows. His work took him around the world, introducing him to many of the most distinguished citizens and celebrities of our time, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Bob Hope. This compelling memoir, written in an approachable, conversational style, also tells of Chum's lonely struggle in leading a double life: A search for a true sexual identity during adolescence, WW2 military service, a short teaching career, and a ten year marriage with two children. His existence begins to make sense when he meets his significant other of forty-two years and starts piecing his life together. Through these enduring experiences, Chum's story also explores the compassion and understanding he brought to his assignments at CBS - shows that 'made a difference' for millions of viewers.'LIFE CAN ONLY BE UNDERSTOODBACKWARDS:BUT IT MUST BE LIVEDFORWARDS'Soren Kierkegaard

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in 1925, Chalmers Dale grew up in Haverford, Pennsylvania. After serving in the US Navy for two years in the Pacific Theater during World War II, he taught and coached athletics at The Montgomery Country Day School in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania from 1946 to 1950, attending the University of Pennsylvania at night. From 1951 to 1991, he was employed at CBS Television in New York City, starting in the shipping room, and becoming, ten years later, a producer/director/writer of Cultural and Religious programs in the News Division. He produced more than 300 drama, art and music, and documentary programs, world wide, exploring the state of the human condition and the role of religion in people's lives. He has received two Emmy Awards and numerous citations. He retired in 1991 and devotes much of his time to environmental concerns, particularly involving the Hudson River, on whose shores he resides.

Product Details

• Paperback: 468 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse; illustrated edition edition (September 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141072607X
• ISBN-13: 978-1410726070
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,806,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good days... bad days, August 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A LIFE FULL OF DAYS: A MEMOIR (Hardcover)

The author tells his story in an honest but tasteful way. Seems like he did some cool things over the years even if it did take him a while to figure out who he was.

There are interesting reflections on music, sports, urban and suburban life in the 20th century and especially TV. The guy was on hand as TV became basically what it is today.

This book'd make great reading for young people in a similar position: figuring out their sexuality and family while trying to make the most of thier time.

His style is unpretentious and relaxed. I felt like I was sitting around one afternoon having a chat. There are photos.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Life Full Of Days is a sincere and genuine memoir., April 13, 2005

By 

J. Weaver - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Life Full of Days: A Memoir (Paperback)

A Life Full Of Days ( Publisher: Authorhouse (May 1, 2003) ISBN: 141072607X) is a sincere and genuine memoir by Chalmers (Chum) Dale. Chalmers Dale is a (now retired) Emmy award-winning CBS news producer whose journalism career brought him face-to-face with distinguished citizens ranging from Martin Luther King Jr. to Bob Hope.

While reading A Life Full Of Days, I couldn't help but hear the song The Long And Winding Road by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

"The long and winding road that leads to your door
Will never disappear
I've seen that road before it always leads me here
Leads me to your door..."

In his memoir Mr. Dale speaks from a life that has lived on both sides of the tracks -- A man who in his search for his true self and his honest sexual representation while living a double life as a gay man in a "straight" world. From a confused young man to WW2 military service to a ten-year marriage with two children, Chalmers endures to find his true self. Chalmers Dale does an exceptional job at sharing with us his 'personal' meaning of life and living that life as "who he is" and not what society dictates "who he should be".

A Life Full Of Days is an important book with a more important message. As the author says, "Was it time to stop kidding myself and recognize that I was a homosexual? The answer was yes." Chalmers Dale's story is one that will reach and enlighten everyone who reads it but especially this book puts his life out there for young people to see and possibly to "...ease some pain they feel during adolescence, with sexual confusion nagging at them." Mr. Dale's life and story also explores the compassion and understanding he brought to his assignments at CBS -- shows that "made a difference" for millions of viewers."

A Life Full Of Days is the verse and soul of a life and author who so perfectly sums everything up in a quote by Soren Kierkegaard that says, "LIFE CAN ONLY BE UNDERSTOOD BACKWARDS: BUT MUST BE LIVED FORWARDS." In this outstanding and well-written memoir this particular reader traveled "The long and winding road" that was and is the life of Chalmers "Chum" Dale. Thank you Mr. Dale for your story and your life. Hopefully many will read A Life Full Of Days, a book, that leads to your door.
John Weaver -Editor BooksandAuthors.net

5.0 out of 5 stars An absorbing read, November 17, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Life Full of Days: A Memoir (Paperback)

A Life Full Of Days is the personal memoir of Emmy award-winning CBS news producer Chalmers (Chum) Dale, and entails the globe-spanning journalism that brought him face-to-face with distinguished citizens ranging from Martin Luther King Jr. to Bob Hope. Recounting his life from a confused childhood to his adult determination to seek out evidence of the human condition for all to see, A Life Full Of Days is an absorbing read and a highly recommended addition to community library American Biography collections.