Charles Kuralt's America

After retiring from a legendary broadcast career, an iconic journalist spends a full year living sequentially in his twelve favorite places across the United States.

In Charles Kuralt's America, the longtime host of CBS News's On the Road shares a month-by-month itinerary of the specific regions that captured his heart during decades of reporting. Spending each month of the year in a different destination, Kuralt bypasses conventional tourist spots to profile the distinct local characters, regional cooking, and hidden subcultures of the American countryside. He documents his time fly-fishing in Twin Bridges, Montana, navigating the foggy waterways of Ketchikan, Alaska, checking into New Orleans during the spring, and watching the autumn leaves change in Vermont. These autobiographical essays focus on the persistence of local traditions and the quiet grit of ordinary citizens. Written with his signature self-deprecating wit, the book captures a peaceful, intimate celebration of geographical diversity and slow-paced living.

Why You’ll Love This Book

Charles Kuralt uses his decades of broadcast experience to highlight the fascinating lives of ordinary, overlooked Americans with immense respect. His unhurried writing brings regional traditions—from Montana trout streams to coastal Alaska—to life with comforting clarity. It offers a restorative armchair escape that encourages you to slow down and notice the unique heritage preserved within small-town communities.