Reviewed by Constance Stadler for Readers' Favorite

Once Upon a Time on Sunday Morning: When Charles Kuralt Gave Us the Real World is a memoir that describes the conception and development of the program Sunday Morning. As a producer, author E.S. "Bud" Lamoreaux III was one of a trio who selected topics that often broke telecast taboos in the late 1970s. Anchor Charles Kuralt was the glue that held Sunday Morning together. His unprepossessing appearance, in tandem with brilliance as a wordsmith, provided what the author describes as ‘instant credibility.’ In addition to his trustworthy presence, he was a highly experienced journalist with years spent covering an international beat in tandem with professional exposure to legendary giants like Ed Murrow and Walter Cronkite. The book also details the value of a decade spent with Heywood Hale Broun, a brilliant so-called irreverent sports journalist who understood that sports were a microcosm for values forged in the surrounding world.

No rose-colored glasses shape this narrative. The style reflects the expertise of a top-notch journalist; highly informative and consistently compelling. As one of the program’s creators, author E.S. Lamoreaux III devotes substantial attention to dealing with hurdles such as budget slashing by network executives and ongoing resistance from evening news broadcasters and executives. The program distinguished itself from the outset in providing in-depth interviews with luminaries, cultural critiques by mavens, substantive human interest stories, and news coverage from a perspective well beyond dire sound-bites. From the onset, prestigious reviewers recognized the value of its focus and authenticity. As Charles Kuralt summed up his approach to the ‘On The Road’ feature: “We find about half of our stories just rolling down the road, looking out the window, and talking to people." Once Upon a Time on Sunday Morning offers readers insight into the best of televised programming along with promoting consideration of the nature of real news.