Douglas Brinkley, Author, "Cronkite"

Our guest is author and historian Douglas Brinkley to talk about his new biography "Cronkite." The book chronicles the life of long time CBS Evening News anchorman Walter Cronkite, who was often referred to as "the most trusted man in America." Brinkley discusses Cronkite's early life in Missouri and Texas and his reporting from the front lines of World War II as a correspondent for the United Press wire service.

[@jackbuckley7816]

Cronkite came along just when television was taking-off, the medium miracle of the modern-age. Somehow, I think, the events of the time matched the man, during the 60's primarily. In retrospect & memory, it's Cronkite most of us now associate with the big events of that decade, though Huntley-Brinkley on NBC originally had the ratings edge & possessed greater household names & fame over Cronkite. ABC remained in 3rd-place for a long time, none of its anchors gaining much traction in those years. I, in fact, though a mere child/kid was oblivious to them. Of course, as noted below, my town carried only NBC & CBS. The technology used now seems rather primitive but, of course, cutting-edge in its day, especially the advent of color-coverage, a huge selling-point for watching back then. Newspapers & newsmagazines still were huge but television news gradually grew in importance & came to dominate, the visual over print. Not only was TV a new, magical phenomenon in American society but the age itself was full of wonder as well as worry. In terms of news, it allowed a nation to see & hear the same things at the same time in their own homes. Most towns & cities only had 1 or 2 networks available. The anchormen inevitably became famous, each newscast striving for ratings dominance, something to which Brinkley alludes.

[@4CardsMan]

When I worked at a small TV station, I saw Cronkite throw a fit during the Gemini 6 & 7 mission. His mike was dead. His hair was shaking. Then, I heard a voice say,"Walter". Cronkite straightened up, got professional, and started back up.

[@subversivelysurreal3645]

For we younger viewers...the first question would and should be, “ Are you related to ‘Huntley-Brinkley’ ??!!

[@robz7789]

Interestingly enough David Brinkley’s late son Allen Brinkley was also a Presidential historian and author!

[@lmargaret6342]

no

[@user-bz9lf8cf5y]

I knew the Vietnam war was going to end when Walter Cronkite grew sideburns

[@mikehiggins946]

Mr. Brinkley makes it sound like St. Joseph, Missouri is a suburb of Kansas City. This is simply not true. St. Joseph is 50 miles north of K.C. and the distance between them is virtually all farmland.

[@GymMusic-xq4nu]

This isn't history. It's a long love letter. How do you know you're getting the truth when you buy a book like this?