Listen Legally to Popular Titles Full Audiobooks in Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Quizmaster

Subtitle: The Life and Times and Fun and Games of Bill Cullen

Author: Adam Nedeff

Narrator: Peter Bierma

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-03-13

Publisher: BearManor Media

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Question: What do Bob Barker, Dick Clark, Pat Sajak, and Alex Trebek have in common? Answer: Bill Cullen hosted more game shows than all of them combined. And all of them have referred to Bill as the best game show host of all time. Quizmaster: The Life and Times and Fun and Games of Bill Cullen is the remarkable story of a "a kid with polio" who became a mechanic, truck driver, photographer, pilot, disc jockey, and the finest master of ceremonies that a game show could ever have. Adam Nedeff is a freelance writer originally from Vienna, West Virginia, now residing in Glendale, California. He is also the author of the four-volume set This Day in Game Show History.

Members Reviews:

Out of breath

I grew up with Bill Cullen and very much enjoy the content/story. But the narrator while having a very clear and pleasant voice, never breathes. Each chapter is like one long run-on sentence. With a different style, this book would have been 50% longer (a good thing). I like to be able think for a moment about what was just said, but there is absolutely no pause between sentences.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: John Gilbert

Subtitle: The Last of the Silent Film Stars (Screen Classics)

Author: Eve Golden

Narrator: Hugh Munro Neely

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-07-13

Publisher: Northern Road Productions

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Charming and classically handsome, John Gilbert (1897-1936) was among the world's most recognizable actors during the silent era. He was a wild, swashbuckling figure on screen and off, and accounts of his life have focused on his high-profile romances with Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich, his legendary conflicts with Louis B. Mayer, his four tumultuous marriages, and his swift decline after the introduction of talkies. A dramatic and interesting personality, Gilbert served as one of the primary inspirations for the character of George Valentin in the Academy Award - winning movie The Artist (2011). Many myths have developed around the larger-than-life star in the eighty years since his untimely death, but this definitive biography sets the record straight.

Eve Golden separates fact from fiction in John Gilbert: The Last of the Silent Film Stars, tracing the actor's life from his youth spent traveling with his mother in acting troupes to the peak of fame at MGM, where he starred opposite Mae Murray, Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, and other actresses in popular films such as The Merry Widow (1925), The Big Parade (1925), Flesh and the Devil (1926), and Love (1927). Golden debunks some of the most pernicious rumors about the actor, including the oft-repeated myth that he had a high-pitched, squeaky voice that ruined his career. Meticulous, comprehensive, this audiobook provides a behind-the-scenes look at one of the silent era's greatest stars and the glamorous yet brutal world in which he lived.

Members Reviews:

Food for Thought

Thjs is a must read for those interested in this subject. It answers some of the myths and questions that continue to rage re: how did Gilbert's career plunge from top stardom in grade A silent films to mid to lower status in grade B programmers in the first years of sound films? This book rules out the stories of direct sabotage by the studio and puts forth at length the notion that his temperamental whining and complaining (insecurities dating from a troubled childhood) probably exhausted the patience of studio heads even including Irving Thalberg. It doesn't appear to touch the question of why mass audiences deserted Gilbert's films. This book provides new insight to the subject, but does not put a period to the controversy.

Detailed & Very Interesting Biography

I knew nothing of John Gilbert's life other than what I was told growing up that he was a silent film star who didn't make the transition to "talkies" because of his voice. I'm glad I read this very detailed book. I discovered his issue really was not his voice, which by most accounts was fine, but rather he was the victim of circumstances.

These circumstances were things of which some he had control over (his drinking, his stubborn & deliberate agitation of Louis B. Mayer) and others of which he did not. Overall I thought the author did a terrific job presenting the life of Mr.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Rob Delaney

Subtitle: Mother. Wife. Sister. Human. Warrior. Falcon. Yardstick. Turban. Cabbage.

Author: Rob Delaney

Narrator: Rob Delaney

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-05-13

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Rob Delaney is a father, a husband, a comedian, a writer. He is the author of an endless stream of beautiful, insane jokes on Twitter. He is sober. He is sometimes brave. He speaks French. He has bungee-jumped off the Manhattan Bridge. He enjoys antagonizing political figures, powerful retailers and the Kardashians. He listens to metal while he works out. He broke into an abandoned mental hospital with his mother. He played Sir Lancelot in Camelot. He has battled depression. He is funny as s***. He cleans up well. He and Margaret Atwood have a thing going on Twitter. He is lucky to be alive.

Critic Reviews:

"Rob Delaney has done it again! Actually, this is his first book, so he has not 'done it again.' Actually, this book is so good, I doubt he will be able to do it again. He's peaked" (Judd Apatow)

"Warning: This book may cause involuntary seepage. Some funny, funny, funny, funny s*** from the most dangerous man on Twitter. The fact that he's just as funny in long form makes me want to vomit with envy" (Anthony Bourdain)

"All it takes to be as funny as Rob Delaney is luck, good timing, deep compassion, reckless imaginative agility, a flawless grasp of the inner workings of language, and criminally vast quantities of mojo. What a jerk" (Teju Cole, author of Open City)

Members Reviews:

Brilliant!

This is funny, heartwarming and very enjoyable! Rob is far more charming than should be allowed

so funny i pooped myself

If you could sum up Rob Delaney in three words, what would they be?

NOT REALLY NORMAL

What other book might you compare Rob Delaney to and why?

N/A

What about Rob Delaneys performance did you like?

love it when someone who writes their book reads it. you get the feeling of what they were writing! he told jokes they way he wanted them to come across

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

i laughed alot. even though there where some serious parts to the story

Short, funny and moving

I got this as a palate cleanser in between epic bouts of Song of Ice and Fire.

Rob Delaney is hilarious and twitter and I loved his stand up show so was looking forward to this book. It's more like a series of essays than a linear narrative, recounting episodes from his life.It's humane and funny and full of warmth. He talks about addiction very openly and movingly without every falling into self pity or self justification.

Rob Delaney reads his own words extremely well - no problems in capturing the authorial tone of voice!

Obviously, there are lots of swearing, sex and drug references. If that sort of thing bothers you then you are not going to have a good time here.

Ultimately, it's about the redemptive power of love and comedy. Loved it.

Loved it. Pathos personified.

His story made me laugh and cry and now I just want to be his best friend.

so funny hearing it in his voice.

if you're a fan of Rob or comedy in general or interesting life stories, give this a listen. a funny, honest and at times sad book.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Bernie Ecclestone

Subtitle: King of Sport

Author: Terry Lovell

Narrator: Norman Gilligan

Format: Unabridged

Length: 22 hrs and 21 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-22-13

Publisher: Prospero Media

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

For nearly forty years he has ruthlessly exploited and dominated Formula One motor racing, and now he is setting his sights further afield.... This is the true story of Bernie Ecclestone, the street-smart, working-class kid who masterminded the transformation of Formula One from an amateur sport of the fifties into a global billion dollar industry of the 21st century.

Now, with his GBP2.5bn fortune, influence and power, Bernie has moved into the world of football with Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore to turn Queen's Park Rangers, a struggling west London club, into a serious rival to the capital's glamour club, Chelsea. To many he was the saviour of Formula One, but there are also those who came into conflict with his methods. They have a different story to tell. Bernie Ecclesone, King of Sport reveals the unbridled avarice, callousness and corruption behind the hype of Formula One - and the warts-and-all character of the man who is now making his mark on the beautiful game. This is the true, astonishing story of the single most powerful man in thew world of sport today.

Members Reviews:

Terrible Robotic Sounding Narration

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Having an audible track that DID NOT sound like a robot. Shocking and completely unlistenable.

Would you recommend Bernie Ecclestone to your friends? Why or why not?

No. Not at all.Why? See above.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Norman Gilligan?

A human.

You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Bernie's story is an amazing story and this audio book destroys it.

Any additional comments?

I am VERY disappointed. Audible should not be selling this sort of crap.

Interesting story ruined by the narration

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I could recommend this book to be read but having tried to listen for the first couple of hours, the narrator just makes me want to scream! Sadly what is a very interesting life story is wrecked by a dull and over punctuated narrator. He sets out and manages very well to pronounce every syllable but this effectively kills any inflection and just gets in the way of the story. Very disappointing and I would avoid this narrator in the future.

How could the performance have been better?

If this had only been read by someone who could just talk then it would be a great audio book. Its been made to sound so dull when in fact its a good book!

Great story, terrible narration.

Very interesting story about the enigma of Bernie, but terrible narration by this guy, makes it difficult to get used to.

Interesting story but poor delivery

An interesting story but the narration was appalling.

For some reason at the end of each chapter some music appeared over the narration so you miss the last few sentences

Like listening to a railway station announcer

If this book wasnt for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

If you like listening to computerised station announcements this is the book for you. A potentially interesting story is totally spoilt by computerised narration that is devoid of any emotion and is delivered like a slow machine gun.

Would you recommend Bernie Ecclestone to your friends? Why or why not?

The book yes but not this audiobook.

What didnt you like about Norman Gilligans performance?

Disgraceful.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Under a Mackerel Sky

Author: Rick Stein

Narrator: Rick Stein

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-17-13

Publisher: Random House Audiobooks

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

All men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why. Rick Stein's childhood in 1950s rural Oxfordshire and North Cornwall was idyllic. His parents were charming and gregarious, their five children much-loved and given freedom typical of the time. As he grew older, the holidays were filled with loud and lively parties in his parents' Cornish barn. But ever-present was the unpredicatible mood of his bipolar father, with Rick frequently the focus of his anger and sadness.

When Rick was 18 his father killed himself. Emotionally adrift, Rick left for Australia, carrying a suitcase stamped with his father's initials. Manual labour in the outback followed by adventures in America and Mexico toughened up the naive public schoolboy, but at heart he was still lost and unsure what to do with his life. Eventually, Cornwall called him home.

From the entrepreneurial days of his mobile disco, the Purple Tiger, to his first, unlikely unlikely nightclub where much of the time was spent breaking up drink-fuelled fights, Rick charts his personal journey in a way that is both wry and perceptive; engaging and witty. Narrated by Rick Stein himself.

Members Reviews:

His life in his voice - what a treat!

Would you consider the audio edition of Under a Mackerel Sky to be better than the print version?

Yes - I always enjoy his soothing voice

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rick - he is honest about his own shortcomings and misdeeds

Have you listened to any of Rick Steins other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have the Food heroes of Britain and Seafood Odyssey on DVD, but listening to his life story on audio, as I drove to work was a special treat.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed at some bits, was made very hungry at some of the scrumptious descriptions of food! I was also taken aback at some things, like his father's death, and other unexpected events that were quite shocking!

Any additional comments?

Fascinating man and fascinating life.

Honest, but tedious and unreflective

Would you ever listen to anything by Rick Stein again?

No

You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No

Any additional comments?

I found him very honest especially in his discussion of his family and his relationship with his father and also his sexuality. But he displays so little maturity or self awareness, especially in relation to his relationships with women, and the events which comprised his travels. I would have preferred not to have heard this unflattering autobiography.

Pleased Rick Stein is a chef and not a writer!

What would have made Under a Mackerel Sky better?

Like most people who bought this book, I quite like Rick Stein. However being a successful chef and a competent author are rarely achievable and I regret Rick Stein is no writer and his narration is mind-blowingly boring and monotone!Like a football match this is a book of 2 halves. The 1st half before Rick Stein starts opening restaurants is a good read and enjoyable. The 2nd half however when Rick Stein starts his restaurants is, I regret pretentious twaddle. How anybody believes that listing names of wines and foods is interesting to the reader I have no idea. Furthermore I note the early in the biography Rick Stein states he wanted to be a journalist.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Handoff

Subtitle: A Memoir of Two Guys, Sports, and Friendship

Author: John Tournour

Narrator: John Tournour

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-13-13

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

John Tournour, known to his many listeners and fans as JT the Brick, is one of the biggest sports radio personalities in America. Making it as a sports radio host is almost impossible, and JT went about it in a fearless way, leaving a lucrative position as a Merrill Lynch stockbroker to pursue his dream. But Tournour's hardest challenge would come when his best friend and mentor, Andrew Ashwood was diagnosed with cancer.

The Handoff is about JT the Brick's rise to sports radio stardom, and how his entire view of life changed as his best friend fought a losing battle to a deadly disease. As Andrew heroically endured chemotherapy treatment after treatment, Tournour was at his side, marveling at his friend's bravery and trying to be there for him as best he could. The Handoff is about facing your fears, the power of connection, and the incredible lessons Tournour learned from his dear friend.

Members Reviews:

Emotional Wallop

This book was surprisingly moving and very powerful. Being a big fan of JT on sports talk radio I was interested in his story-and to discover that he began as a cold calling stock broker (insane descriptions of that lifestyle) and morphed into one of sports talk radio's big stars is truly compelling. From his victory in the original Jim Rome SmackOff back in the day, to his discovery by one Andrew Ashwood-a legendary radio programmer, JT's story is a rocket ride. From fantastic and highly nuanced insider stories of Pete Rose and Al Davis to the blood thirsty crowds at a Vegas Tyson/Holyfield bout, the book packs an emotional wallop. Ashwoods generosity both personally and professionally catapult JT's career, culminating in them both becoming national players at Fox Sports Radio. Then, just as mentor Ashwood reaches the zenith of his career he is stricken with cancer and the whole raucous energy of the story downshifts into the ultimate "perspective reality check" with "The Handoff." Captivating. Raw. Tender. An emotional roller coaster. The strength and courage these friends put forth together is inspiring. The heartbreak of the "partnership" where JT and Andrew walk together through Ashwood's treatments deliver a satisfying, incredibly touching story. This book is not just the victory lap of a radio star-it is a celebration of a remarkable friendship. 5 enthusiastic stars!!

The Hand Off

It was refreshing to read a book that has a genuine message. Having been part of many of the moments offered in the book, it is a great reminder of how fortunate many of us are to have such good friends/brothers, not everyone can say that. The pace of the book is good and in many cases made you feel like you were there while reading it. My suggestion would be is to share the book with as many people as possible as it may cause them to reflect on their own life and what it means to be there for someone.

What an Incredible Story!

This book is an incredible and inspirational life story of two guys who were brought together through a business career mentorship but the friendship developed into such a great story that the book was the only way to express the positive life lessons can come from a tragic situation.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Heath Ledger

Subtitle: His Beautiful Life and Mysterious Death

Author: John McShane

Narrator: Bob Sinfield

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-06-13

Publisher: Prospero Media

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Young, cocksure, handsome and absurdly talented, Australian actor Heath Ledger shot to prominence with his first Hollywood film "10 Things I Hate About You": and a star was born. With huge charisma and smouldering looks lighting up the screen in a series of subsequent films, Heath was soon established as Hollywood A-list, dating a series of beauties such as Heather Graham and Naomi Watts, and living every young man's dream.

But it was his award-winning and controversial role as Ennis Del Mar in "Brokeback Mountain" that cemented his place in the pantheon of acting greats - he was one of the youngest people ever to be nominated for an Oscar. And it was on the set of this film that he fell in love with his co-star Michelle Williams.

Though the relationship wasn't to last, the couple had a daughter in 2005. With the world at his feet and a film-stealing turn in the new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight", in the can, there was worldwide shock and disbelief when the news broke that he had been found dead in his New York apartment on 22 January 2008. Prescription drugs, found next to his dead body, were thought to be the cause, but mystery surrounded the circumstances. Was it an accidental death? Or were the pressures of life in the spotlight too great to bear?

What is certain is that this young man, who touched the lives of so many people, leaves behind a grief-stricken public and family, including a two-year-old daughter. This is the tragic story of the brilliant actor whose light shone so brightly but all too briefly upon the world.

Members Reviews:

Too based on press coverage

This book is based vastly on press accounts and interviews of Heath during his life. It is mildly biographical, but there is way too much quoting of reporters and not enough "the story of Heath Ledger's life." If you're looking for a good biography, this is not it. Also the narrator's attempt to adjust his Aussie accent as he quotes others is a bit unsettling.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Loudmouth

Subtitle: Tales (and Fantasies) of Sports, Sex, and Salvation from Behind the Microphone

Author: Craig Carton

Narrator: Craig Carton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-04-13

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

From one of radio's loudest, orneriest, most beloved, and highest-rated sports radio personalities, a bold and hilarious memoir of sports, manhood, and what it is to be a fan.

In 1991, a young Craig Carton drove all of his belongings in a crappy 1980 Buick to Buffalo, New York, to interview for a job at WGR radio. Hired for $12,000 a year, he rented a room in a retirement home where he agreed to help care for his elderly neighbors in exchange for rent of $99 per month. That auspicious start marked the beginning of what is fast becoming a legendary radio career. Often compared to Howard Stern, Carton has hosted a series of highly rated shows, and in 2007 he joined WFAN, where he and Boomer Esiason host an eponymous show every morning for four hours out of a studio in New York City.

In this debut, Carton invites the listener to join him as he recounts tales from his suburban youth, defends his long-held love affair with the New York Jets, reminisces about the shenanigans of some of the highest paid and most celebrated athletes playing today, and reflects on his work as one of radio's craftiest, most hilarious personalities ever to get behind the microphone.

Members Reviews:

Fun but too much about early life

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, if you are a CC fan, this is a must read.

Would you be willing to try another book from Craig Carton? Why or why not?

yes, love his wit and his funny style. He makes sports fun...oh and he knows his Sh%$

What about Craig Cartons performance did you like?

glad her read the book....

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

the stories about his early life were too much...other than that great fun read.

Easy listening, and entertaining.

I had no expectations about this book, just thought I'd give it a listen because I enjoy the "Boomer and Carton" show. I usually feel that about 2/3 of Craig's opinions are good, the other 1/3 are nonsense and often just made to get attention. Either way, Craig Carton is good at what he does. The book is no literary piece of work, it's just an interesting guy telling his life story. Many these autobiographies are more about money than good literary work, and that is probably be the case here. Some of these spur of the moment autobiographies are quite disappointing, but Craig is a good entertainer and that comes through in the book.

If you love Boomer & Carton, you'll love Loudmouth

Every morning, almost like clockwork, I turn on my radio (or in my case my radio app) to Boomer & Carton -- the tri-state premier sports radio show on WFAN. Craig Carton had self-promoted this title for quite some time on the show and I was looking forward to getting it as soon as it came to audio. Boy am I glad I picked this one! If you enjoy listening to the silly banter Craig and Boomer spew mornings from 6-10 EST, you'll love listening to the story of Craig Carton and how he rose to the number one morning drive radio show in the country.

Craig's performance is definitely on par with his "radio personality" you may have heard in the past but what I enjoyed most was how authentic his story feels.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Misfit

Author: Steven Poser

Narrator: Steven Menasche

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-16-13

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

Dr. Ralph Greenson, the star of Hollywood psychoanalysts, treated Marilyn Monroe for 15 months until her August 1962 suicide. He saw her seven days a week and brought her into his home. He never got over losing her. Written by a practicing psychoanalyst, The Misfit recounts this tragic alliance and Marilyn Monroes borderline personality.

Editorial Reviews:

While many fans know that Marilyn Monroe was troubled, this short audiobook reveals the harrowing extent of her problems, and provides a window into her relationship with the last analyst who tried to treat them. Ralph Greenson was a star psychoanalyst in midcentury Hollywood who felt that Monroe's psyche was too weak for the usual Freudian methods. Instead, he virtually adopted Monroe in an attempt to give her the stability and support she craved. While the experience might have provided Monroe some solace, it came at great personal and professional cost to Greenson. Narrator Steven Menasche's expert performance creates a sense of personal intensity around the fascinating story of the relationship between doctor and patient, which Poser says may have been the most important Monroe ever had with a man.

Members Reviews:

Powerfull

What did you love best about The Misfit?

An exciting story about Norma Jean AKA Marilyn Monroe, and the attempts to save her short and tragic life. Poser writes a suspenseful and compelling story. A unique glimpse into the life of a Hollywood starlet, and the brief and tragic story of her rise and fall. A well written compelling story that flows very nicely. A revealing and sincere story that is very addictive.

What other book might you compare The Misfit to and why?

The Secret Life Of Marilyn Monroe

What does Steven Menasche bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Very well read. A pure pleasure to listen too.

Any additional comments?

Excellent!!!!

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Cronkite's War

Subtitle: His World War II Letters Home

Author: Walter Cronkite, Maurice Isserman

Narrator: Michael Prichard

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-15-13

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Celebrities

Publisher's Summary:

A giant in American journalism in the vanguard of "The Greatest Generation" reveals his World War II experiences in this National Geographic book.

Walter Cronkite, an obscure 23-year-old United Press wire service reporter, married Betsy Maxwell on March 30, 1940, following a four-year courtship. She proved to be the love of his life, and their marriage lasted happily until her death, in 2005. But before Walter and Betsy Cronkite celebrated their second anniversary, he became a credentialed war correspondent, preparing to leave her behind to go overseas.

The couple spent months apart in the summer and fall of 1942, as Cronkite sailed on convoys to England and North Africa across the submarine-infested waters of the North Atlantic. After a brief December leave in New York City spent with his young wife, Cronkite left again on assignment for England. This time, the two would not be reunited until the end of the war in Europe.

Cronkite would console himself during their absence by writing her long, detailed letters - sometimes five in a week - describing his experiences as a war correspondent, his observations of life in wartime Europe, and his longing for her. Betsy Cronkite carefully saved the letters, copying many to circulate among family and friends. More than 100 of Cronkite's letters from 1943-45 (plus a few earlier letters) survive. They reveal surprising and little-known facts about this storied public figure in the vanguard of "The Greatest Generation". They chronicle both a great love story and a great war story, as told by the reporter who would go on to become anchorman for the CBS Evening News with a reputation as "the most trusted man in America".

Members Reviews:

Reporter in WWII

This book was written by Walter Cronkite's grandson Walter Cronkite IV and he does provide some information about his own relationship with his grandfather. The book is mostly a narration overview (with statistics) of WWII, with the reading a bit of letters of Cronkite. Cronkite married Betsy Maxwell on 30 March 1940 then in 1941 he was assigned by United Press to cover the European theatre. At first he traveled on the sea convoys to England and North Africa, he saw ships sunk by the German U boats. He was then assigned to cover the 8th Army Air Corp and at times road along on bombing raids to Germany. He rode in a glider in Operation Market garden. In the letters he told Betsy about problems finding lodging and limited food in London and a bit about the problems of the British people were going through. Over all I was a bit disappointed in the book, from the advertisement I thought it would be more personal about the relationship with his wife and his day to day life as a reporter. The book was mainly an overview of the war emphasizing the parts that Cronkite covered. Unfortunately, no letter from Betsy were kept by Cronkite so they reviewed only his letters. It was worth the read if you are a interested in history. Michael Prichard did a good job with the narration.