The Next Big Story: My Journey Through the Land of Possibilities (Celebra Books) [Hardcover]

Soledad O'Brien (Author), Rose Marie Arce (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 2, 2010 | Series: Celebra Books

An intimate look behind the CNN journalist's most compelling reporting moments and how it has shaped her perspective on America's future.

"Story is our medium. It's how we connect emotionally with our viewers. And it's how we make sense of our world...When we talk about a 'big story,' we're really talking about what resonates with people, what matters to them...And I think when it comes to our national narrative, what we need to realize is that we're all contributing to the story, that we can affect where this country is going."

From top CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien comes a highly personal look at her biggest reporting moments from Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in Southeast Asia, the devastating Haiti earthquake to the historic elections and high profile interviews with everyday Americans. Drawing on her own unique background and consciousness as well as her experiences as a journalist at the front lines of the most provocative issues in today's society-and particularly from her work as host of the acclaimed series Black in America and Latino in America-O'Brien offers her candid, clear-eyed take on where we are as a country and where we're going.

What emerges is both an inspiring message of hope and a glimpse into the heart and soul of one of America's most straight-talking reporters.

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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

O’Brien is the child of a black Cuban mother and white Australian father, and her mixed-race heritage informed every step of her personal and professional voyage, one that took her from an isolated suburban Long Island childhood to the catbird’s seat at CNN’s anchor desk. Acknowledging the distinctive sensibility she brings to her coverage of the day’s most divisive and dramatic events, O’Brien chronicles her early years in broadcast journalism as well as her present position as one of cable news’ most respected correspondents. To reveal how her story affects her approach to the people and subjects she covers, O’Brien shares a worldview that is rooted in diversity and communicated with compassion. By breaking down cataclysmic events such as hurricanes, tsunamis, and earthquakes into individual episodes of suffering, strength, and survival, O’Brien swiftly transforms the overwhelming into the understandable. Impassioned yet intimate, O’Brien’s electrifying memoir demonstrates her instinctive responsibility to present each crisis as a sacred opportunity to illuminate and educate her viewers. --Carol Haggas

Review

 The 10 Best Black Books of 2010 (Non-Fiction):
4. The Next Big Story by Soledad O'Brien with Rose Marie Arce

 "a personal journey in overcoming adversity as well as a historical resource, with behind-the scenes commentary on the events and people that make this inspirational story a "big" one. " - Rosa Alonso, My Latino Voice

"O'Brien's experiences reporting on disasters, particularly Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti, unfold in riveting detail...." --The New York Times Sunday Book Review

"The Next Big Story is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at reporting and an intimate account of Soledad O'Brien's personal journey. It's a terrific read that is both inspiring and thought-provoking."
-Anderson Cooper

"Soledad is a living example of achieving the American dream. Because a door opened to her family, she has been able to accomplish so many things. Her life story shows that opportunity can create success...and success can create a sense of responsibility that can create opportunities for others. Soledad has paid it forward, cares deeply about the disenfranchised, and brings her unique personal experience to whatever story she may be covering."
-Katie Couric

"A moving memoir which does justice to the effervescent spirit and unbridled intellectual curiosity of a truly empathetic soul my faithful readers already know just might be the brightest person I've had the privilege of interviewing."
-Kam Williams

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Celebra Hardcover; 1St Edition edition (November 2, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451231376
• ISBN-13: 978-0451231376
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #275,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #56 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Public Affairs & Policy > Cultural Policy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The background story of an intelligent, caring TV journalist. November 27, 2010

By Dennis7Cook

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've always liked Soledad and this book opens a door onto what drives her and makes her a caring, thoughtful person and journalist. The book traces her story from a sometimes puzzled mixed-race child growing up in a Long Island NY town, through her discovery of her true calling to be a news reporter and journalist, a series of not-quite fulfilling TV news jobs, to her unique position at CNN, telling stories about people with feeling, compassion and depth. The descriptions of her news coverage sometimes have flash-backs to her childhood with her family prompted by some situation she is describing. The final chapters about her coverage of the Haiti earthquakes are poignant, especially the reaction of her oldest daughter who accompanied her on one of her trips there. A very well-written book about the whirlwind life of this unique woman.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Admire Her, But. . . February 28, 2011

By Middle-aged Professor

Format:Hardcover

I read this story without difficulty. She writes it like a news story narration. The entire book comes at you in the present tense. And in short declarative sentences. She is raised a mixed race child in white Long Island. She faces discrimination, and she tells about how this felt in moving and enlightening ways. She goes on to Harvard, a driven overachiever, and then on to a career in journalism. Her drive, ambition and success are all impressive, and yet seem a little sad. She has not come through life unscathed; the memoir she writes in her seventies, with a little more introspection will be more interesting. I look forward to it. The book moves on to big stories she covers: Katrina, Black in America, Latino in America, Haiti. The vignettes that are effective on television are less compelling in a memoir. They start to run together and lack the depth their tragedy and importance merit. The book is not as good as the film, so to speak. Still, she creates an accessible entree into important subjects. I salute her.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of a kind. November 18, 2010

By B King

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I pre-ordered, received and read this book in 2-days. Honestly, I could not put it down once I started reading it. Soledad is one of my favorite journalists because she's intelligent, not afraid to ask the "tough" questions, as well as being absolutely beautiful. She handles situations with poise, charm and charisma. This book embodies all the qualities that I really like in her, but also gives you an indepth look at her journey. She has lead an extremely interesting life and made the most of her opportunities, those she was given and those she has created. The writing is seamless and she does a phenomenal job of capturing the moments, and her perspective, while telling the story, as it unfolds. Often times, I felt as though I were there. In my opinion, every person will be greatly enriched by reading this text. Great Job Soledad!!!! I can't wait to read the next one.