Charles Kuralt's America

It's hardly surprising that the former host of "CBS Sunday Morning" would be a natural on tape. Nor is it surprising that he's the perfect companion on a year-long trek around America. Starting in New Orleans in January and ending in New York City in December, he has chosen an ideal spot to visit for each of the 12 months. At each one he does whatever is appropriate: sailing in Maine, hot-air ballooning in New Mexico, fishing in Alaska. And he talks. How does he find all those characters who so well represent the areas in which they live? Listening to them is a treat. And listening to Charles Kuralt himself is a low-key, ongoing education. J.C. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

October 2, 1995
Upon his retirement from CBS News, veteran American traveler Kuralt (A Life on the Road) decided to ``revisit my favorite American places at just the right time of year'' and not worry about work. Kuralt is not in search of crises or epiphanies; he values nature and good food, neighborliness and craftsmanship, quaintness and quirkiness. Though no literary match for American chroniclers like Calvin Trillin, the affable Kuralt does, in un-fancy style, convey his enthusiasm and his engagement. Thus he eats well in New Orleans, hangs out with the ``elaborately tolerant'' folk of Key West and wanders the gardens of Charleston, S.C. Alaska's panhandle still takes his breath away, and Minnesota's lake country brings him peace. He records the Down East wit of Maine humor, visits a town meeting in democratic Vermont and even celebrates his Greenwich Village neighborhood in New York City. His portraits of people may be snapshots, but there seem a lot of decent folk left in our land. Literary Guild alternate; author tour.