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Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life's Challenges

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As someone who has always had a love affair with words, the story told by the talent of CBS News Correspondent Byron Pitts in his autobiography STEP OUT ON NOTHING is one that I can truly appreciate. With all of the advancements we have made in 2009, the epidemic that is illiteracy is something we have tolerated and ignored for way too long.
Pitts' story is important because it shows what can happen when you unleash your inner greatness and allow it to develop. It also highlights the old adage that no man is an island and whether it is your blood family or those who adopt you into their fold, that we have to work together---and oh the things we can accomplish when we do.

I commend Pitts for taking us into his life and letting us know how he became the man that he is today. By doing so, he can encourage others that may come from a similar place in life to not feel as though today is a part of the end but instead is only the beginning.

I read this book after hearing Byron Pitts speak about his struggles as the child of a single mom growing up in a poor section of Baltimore. It is no spoiler to say that this respected journalist struggled to overcome stuttering and had to face the fact that as a teen he was functionally illiterate.

This is Mr. Pitts's story about starting over again as a reviled "basement boy" in remedial classes and his ensuing struggle to overcome severe learning difficulties. At a time when little was understood about how children learn to read, he was given a "reading machine" whose microfiche slides he spent hours memorizing. Combining determination with faith -- not to mention the force of nature that was his mother -- Mr. Pitts achieved his greatest dreams, graduating from college and eventually working at the pinnacle of broadcast journalism, CBS's 60 Minutes.

Despite Mr. Pitts's immense likeability, it is truly his mother Clarice who steals the show. Endlessly energetic, tireless in her advocacy of her children, deeply loving and utterly convinced of the power of prayer, Mrs. Pitts pushes her son to achieve more than he ever thought possible. He writes humorously about her infamous temper. Overwhelmed by the demands of college, he considers dropping out. She writes him a letter that starts: "Dear Mr. Brain Dead, Have you lost your **** mind?"

This book is Mr. Pitts's paean to his mother, as well as to all the adults who "stepped out on nothing" but their faith in him. He writes lovingly of high school teachers and coaches, college professors and roommates, priests and pastors -- everyone who had a hand in getting him where he is today. I've never read the words of someone so deeply grateful and so devout in his faith. It is the rare publisher who allows an author to write boldly about his or her Christian faith. "God held me in the palm of His hand. His Son, Jesus Christ, died so I might live." Yes, Byron Pitts says this.

Still, I felt the narrative suffered somewhat from the outpouring of gratitude. The story flags as the accolades pile on; the old saw that a journalist should show and not tell could have been put to better use here. And, I was puzzled by the silence about his family. He mentions his wife and children a few times, but you learn nothing about them, not even their names. I enjoyed the stories of his work as a reporter, and of course it is his work that ties in most closely to his struggles with literacy. But bypassing his family seems an odd omission for an author who is so eager to credit the influence of those closest to him. Nevertheless, everything the author does tell us is uplifting and life-affirming. It's all that a good book should be and proof that literacy can be the key to great things.

Frankly, I don't watch 60 minutes (little TV time), and I didn't know who Bryon Pitts was - okay, that's out there. I'll watch today. I heard rave reviews about the book on the Tom Joyner Show on the way to work one morning and I purchased this bio the next day because I am especially interested in literacy and how persons overcome seemingly unbeatable academic, familial, and developmental odds.

I usually read several books at a time; but this one is captivating; making it difficult to put down. Without attempting to be a professional book reviewer, I can say that the writing was rich, visual, auditory, - engaging and gripping. It is not a sappy bio - tales of his mother Clara see to that. What a woman! This is a very realistic bio graphically recounting the good and the not so good; so it might not be suitable for grade school children. Accounts of the war in Iraq are vivid. Very insightful is his revelation of how adult children of divorce think about and deal with estranged parents.

This book is so inspiring that I think I'll likely be rereading it. An unexpected outcome; I have a newly found respect for journalist embedded with the military after reading Pitt's bio.; as a parent, I understand more of the dynamics of bullying, and the life impact of divorce and parental influences. I cannot say enough good things about the book; except to say you've got to read it.

Byron Pitts shares the guttural truth of his lifelong pursuit of excellence with such familiarity it is as if he is speaking to you face to face. The pain and joy of his journey to achievement is an inspiration for the ill-prepared learner, dedicated teacher and steadfast parent. The added bonus of interweaving faith as the fuel for his tenacity and looking glass for his reality provides a strong beacon for those facing their own academic struggles. I highly recommend "STEP Out on Nothing" as a must read for all first year college students, or adults in transition.

Associate Dean
Division of Student Success
Nyack College

When you watch people on TV (actors, reporters, etc.) do you ever think of the struggles they might have had to overcome to get to where they are? Me either. I've always assumed with most actors/singers that it's more who you knew vs what you do. There are rare exceptions of course, you hear about their inspirational stories and it's always wonderful to hear that someone who has achieved fame truly deserves and appreciates where they are in their life.

I never have thought about the person behind the screen when I get my news. The reporters. Those people who speak so wonderfully, who go into these dangerous places to bring us a shot of something we'd never see otherwise, who go out and find stories that need to be heard, need to be told. You would never think that someone who was illiterate, who stuttered, would grow up to be this face that we see bringing us our news on possibly the biggest news program in our televised history.

This story is so inspirational. One that I actually think I'll save for Jordan to read in a couple of years. If you have ever doubted yourself in any way this book is for you. Byron has the best attitude. I don't know how he did it. I've let smaller problems in my life drag me down. He just kept plugging through. The final straw for me would have been the college professor who told him to give up. I probably would have. I know I would have. Or at least dropped that class. He does get angry, but he turns that anger into something else. Buoyed by his faith and the people around him, he keeps going, keeps working towards his goal. It was so neat to read how he learned how to read, how he overcame stuttering (would you have ever guessed that he did?), even stories of blatant racism and how he reacted to them. What an amazing man. A situation that would have led other kids (of all colors) to the streets, he never once went that way. I don't think his mother would have tolerated it if he had tried. I think I love his mother. Tough, outspoken, full of love, and with a faith (in God and her son) that never wavered. She sounds like such a wonderful person!

It was just really a great book about overcoming obstacles and going from your dreams. All of us doubt ourselves for one reason or another but instead of letting those doubts overwhelm us, instead of believing that about ourselves, we need to follow Byron's example and follow our goals, go after our dreams.

I wish I had his attitude.

Thank you so much to AME, INC. for sending me a copy of Step Out on Nothing: How Faith and Family Helped Me Conquer Life's Challenges to read and review. Wonderful book!

I met Mr. Pitt during a book signing on October 29, 2009. Initially, the plan was get a sneak peek & leave without purchasing a book. Well, Mr. Pitt "steps out on nothing," but candor, spirit & grace when telling his story and reeled me straight in. He is geniunely passionate about wiping out illiteracy and brought me to tears several times during his reading.

Some of his experiences took me back to my childhood and the problems we had with my brother (special class, suspensions, fighting, etc. in grade school) who finally learned how to read at age 51, so I purchased the book. Had I have known back in the 70's that my brother was crying out for help there would have been more intervention on my part.

I am so excited about this book and plan on using it during Parent Workshops. I purchased the book again today, so I could write this review.

So, Let me just say, "My GOD, my God you truly are using this brother to reach the masses and I thank you!" This book should be read by all without exception. If you get it today and use it as a template to help parents/family & friends understand struggling readers then I see great advances in achievement for our youth. I also believe great strides will be accomplished to help generations who thought all was lost - help is on the way to victory over illiteracy with this book!

- Kimberly N. Castaneda

Step Out on Nothing is a page turner that has all the ingredients of a great book! I experienced a range of emotions when reading this book. I was wowed, inspired and just left feeling good after reading Step Out on Nothing. What a powerful story of hope and overcoming adversity. Mr Pitts is an awesome storyteller and that this is his own story is even more amazing. As a Chair of a Special Education Team for Baltimore City Schools, Mr Pitts' story is so relevant to the lives of the students I service. His book is one that I have shared with many of my team members, students and their parents. I admire Mr Pitts' humbleness in acknowledging those who helped him on his journey, particularly his Mother, WHAT A WOMAN! As an African American male from inner city Baltimore, a product of divorce, poor, a stutterer and to top it off... functionally illiterate, Mr. Pitts' story could have been a recipe for disaster but for faith and family. Byron, thank you for not only sharing your candid account of the impact of illiteracy but for also imparting that one can Conquer Life's Challenges!

I found Step Out on Nothing to be an enormously moving and nuanced story. CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts writes that there were many people who "stepped out on nothing" to help him confront the considerable obstacles in his early life. Although this book is written for adults, I read many passages aloud to my children. How Byron Pitts turned life's obstacles into "stepping stones" is a story filled with life lessons for all of us no matter our age or our own specific struggles.

Watching Byron Pitts today cover news stories around the world, it's hard to fathom that this polished journalist was illiterate for most of his childhood. Step Out on Nothing illuminates the many problems of illiteracy - and the effort and strength to overcome illiteracy - in a most personal and memorable way. I closed the book feeling great admiration for Byron Pitts - for the child he was and for the person he is today- for his mother and family, and for all who refused to allow a little boy, a teenager, and a young man, to fail or fall short of his potential.

This book grabs you from the very beginning. I laughed and cried as I read it. I have assigned it as part of the College Remedial Reading class that I teach and I have my 12 year old reading it as well. I am inpired by the author's faith and persistence as well as his mother's resolve never to give up. The story has inspired me to be a better teach, mother and to pursue my dreams.

and I'm happy I did!
Byron's story is one that needs to be shared with the world. His true story of overcoming the challenges of illiteracy and stuttering as an adult to become a 60 minutes correspondent is one usually reserved for Hollywood. Step Out On Nothing is an eye opening lesson about an often overlooked problem facing millions of Americans. The more people know about this story, the less the burden will be on those whose struggle. Buy this book, even if you're not a person of faith. Everyone has a person in their life that struggles or has been told 'you can't', Step Out On Nothing for that person and help them realize their dreams.