Cronkite

For decades, Walter Cronkite was known as "the most trusted man in America." Yet this very public figure, undoubtedly the twentieth century's most revered journalist, was a remarkably private man. Drawing on unprecedented access to Cronkite's private papers as well as interviews with family and friends, Douglas Brinkley now brings this American icon into focus as never before.

Brinkley traces Cronkite's story from his roots in Missouri and Texas, through the Great Depression and World War II, to his coverage of presidential elections, the space program, Vietnam, and the first televised broadcasts of the Olympic Games. Cronkite was also the nation's voice for many of the most profound moments in modern American history, including the Kennedy assassination, Apollos 11 and 13, Watergate, the Vietnam War, and the Iran hostage crisis.

Epic, intimate, and masterfully written, Cronkite is the much-anticipated biography of an extraordinary American life, told by one of our most brilliant and respected historians.

“Walter Cronkite exemplified the glorious age of trusted journalism. In this deeply researched and brilliantly analytic biography, Douglas Brinkley captures his essence. He treats Cronkite as not just an icon, but as a real human with passions, loves, and occasional enmities. Its a fascinating and valuable tale.” < b=""> Walter Isaacson <>

“Douglas Brinkleys absorbing and well-researched book recaptures the high solstice of American television journalism and the man who most exemplified that moment. It also illuminates, behind the scenes, a Walter Cronkite that millions of Americans thought they knew, but, as Brinkleys book now shows us, didnt.” < b=""> Michael Beschloss <>

“Exhaustively researched and beautifully written, Cronkite is a classic. Douglas Brinkley has written his best book yet. This is a fascinating story that will be read for years to come.” < b=""> Debby Applegate <>

“In this absorbing and sensitively-written biography, Douglas Brinkley has captured not only the life and momentous decades of a uniquely American legend, but also the heartbeat of a nation in its times of both triumph and tragedy.” < b=""> Ronald Steel <>

“This sweeping narrative of Walter Cronkites life is irresistibly told, beautifully written, and deeply researched. Douglas Brinkley has produced one trustworthy biography after another, each one commanding widespread respect and admiration. And this is one of the very best.” < b=""> Doris Kearns Goodwin <>

“The personal and professional life of Walter Cronkite is an American treasure - and we should all be grateful to Douglas Brinkley for telling it so well.” < b=""> Tom Brokaw <>

“A sweeping and masterful biography.” < b=""> < i=""> Newsweek <> <>

“A superb biography. . . . If only we had Walter Cronkite today.” < b=""> Tina Brown, < i=""> Newsweek <> <>

“Cronkites career has vast scope, and cumulative effect of this book is illuminating, not only about the man himself but also about the way he filtered history for a nation.” < b=""> Janet Maslin, < i=""> The New York Times <> <>

“With the style and precision worthy of his subject, Douglas Brinkleys biography of the late Walter Cronkite gives the icon his due. . . . A keen, fair-minded book.” < b=""> < i=""> The San Francisco Chronicle <> <>

"Like all of Brinkley's books, Cronkite thrives on the author's preternaturally smooth prose and stellar organization." < b=""> < i=""> The Austin American-Statesman <> <>

"Informative and engaging. . . . Brinkley transforms the two-dimensional image into a three-dimensional person in his sterling new biography." < b=""> < i=""> The Hollywood Reporter <> <>

“A majestic biography. . . . Cronkite is evidence that a job can be done just about perfectly. That goes for the man and this exceptional biography.” < b=""> < i=""> The New York Times Book Review <> <>

“An ambitious and deeply researched biography. . . . Cronkite magically transports the reader to a bygone era. . . . Recounted here in detail, with scholarly grasp and smooth narrative flow, are the familiar milestones and more obscure regions of Cronkites life.” < b=""> < i=""> The Boston Globe <> <>

“Informed, wide-ranging, clear, accessible. . . . This richly detailed and impeccably researched biography brings you into a vivid life,. . . . A thorough, even-handed and illuminating work that goes beyond image and myth about the broadcast legend for a full, frank and fascinating portrait.” < b=""> < i=""> Newsday <> <>

"Cronkite is meticulously reported and sourced and is alternately admiring and critical." < b=""> < i=""> The Richmond Times-Dispatch <> <>

“A tremendous read. . . . Brinkleys book brings this man intimately to light, in all his petty maneuvers and all his grandeur. I gobbled up every page.” < b=""> Robert MacNeil, < i=""> The Washington Post <> <>

Douglas Brinkley presents the definitive, revealing biography of an American legend: renowned news anchor Walter Cronkite.

An acclaimed author and historian, Brinkley has drawn upon recently disclosed letters, diaries, and other artifacts at the recently opened Cronkite Archive to bring detail and depth to this deeply personal portrait.

He also interviewed nearly two hundred of Cronkites closest friends and colleagues, including Andy Rooney, Leslie Stahl, Barbara Walters, Dan Rather, Brian Williams, Les Moonves, Christiane Amanpour, Katie Couric, Bob Schieffer, Ted Turner, Jimmy Buffett, and Morley Safer, using their voices to instill dignity and humanity in this study of one of Americas most beloved and trusted public figures.

Douglas Brinkley is a professor of history at Rice University and a contributing editor to Vanity Fair. The Chicago Tribune has dubbed him "America's new past master." His most recent books are The Quiet World, The Wilderness Warrior, and The Great Deluge. Six of his books have been selected as New York Times Notable Books of the Year. He lives in Texas with his wife and three children.