Books of the Day: remembering one of North Carolina's best

Americans loved Charles Kuralt, who died twenty years ago today, but none loved him like his fellow North Carolinians.

One of the youngest radio announcers in America at the time, Kuralt attended UNC, graduated in journalism, and started winning awards for his writing. He joined CBS as a writer, then an on-camera reporter. In 1967, he took Steinbeck's book, Travels With Charley" as inspiration for a three-month series of reports on life off the interstate, in the places you have to mean to go to, or get lost to find.

He wore out six motor homes over the next 25 years doing "On the Road." From 1979 to 1994 he hosted, and set the tone for, CBS Sunday Morning, then retired. He died of lupus three years later.

Kuralt was how North Carolina people liked to see themselves- affable, bemused, convinced life was always on an upward track. He wrote a book called North Carolina Is My Home, and was buried in the UNC campus cemetery. His brother Wallace ran The Intimate Book Shop in Chapel Hill when bookstores- good or bad- were rare in the state.

We all felt we knew Charles Kuralt, and if he showed up at our door with his crew, we'd start another pitcher of iced tea.

Henry Bemis Books has three Kuralts in stock. Make us an offer! Take an extra ten percent off for the set.

 

Kuralt, Charles, On the Road With Charles Kuralt (G.P. Putnam’s, 1985, 1st ed., 20th printing, 1985). ISBN 0-399-13087-X. 92 of Kuralt’s travel pieces from 1967 onward. Hardcover, unclipped dust jacket, good condition, autographed. HBB price: $25.

Kuralt, Charles, Dateline America (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1st ed., second printing, 1979). A collection of pieces from the CBS Radio series, “Dateline America,” begun by Kuralt in 1972, with photos by Mark Chester. Inscribed on the title page,”To Larry and Linda- Best wishes! Charles Kuralt.” 10” x. 9”, hardcover, unclipped dust jacket with two tears and some other edge wear on the front dust jacket. HBB price: $25.

Grizzle, Ralph, Remembering Charles Kuralt (Kenilworth Media, 1st ed., 2000). ISBN 0-9679096-0-0. Oral historian and Our State contributing editor Grizzle assembled this collection of reminiscences by friends of the veteran CBS journalist (1934-1997). Hardcover, unclipped dust jacket, very good condition. Inscribed, “To Brother Fred, Happy Birthday and hope you enjoy! With warmest regards, Ralph Grizzle,” on the half title. HBB price: $20.

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