Lightning Strikes

This is a well-written, intimate portrait of Kuralt presented in a way which itself reminds the reader of Charles Kuralt's own journalistic style. A beautiful edition including original photographs and a variety of personal and professional perspectives. Recommended for any fan of Charles Kuralt or for the reader who wants to learn how and why this charismatic individual transformed the nature of American journalism.

Charles Kuralt never really believed how good he was at his profession. That's hard to believe, but it's a sad truth and maybe at the heart of the man who traveled the country for over 30 years, chronicalling what he saw and felt in his "On the Road" series for CBS News. By that time he graduated college, Kuralt had a work record that would be the envy of a college journalism graduate. As recounted in "Remembering Charles Kuralt," a collection of interviews and essays edited by Ralph Grizzle, the high school senior had worked for a radio station, helping to call the baseball games of the Charlotte Hornet. The summer he was 13, he had a once-a-week radio show. He had won an essay contest on democracy and delivered his speech in the House of Burgesses in Colonial Williamsburg. Kuralt knew what he wanted to be a reporter early in his life, and he pursued it with a single-minded determination. But not only that, he did it on his work ethic and talent alone, and in a good-natured manner that came through in his television appearances. "I never heard Charles say anything unkind about anybody," jazz pianist and friend Loonis McGlohon said, "that's true, and in thinking about it, it's pretty unusual." "Remembering Charles Kuralt" covers the whole of his life and career: his upbringing in eastern North Carolina, his growth as a writer and reporter, his career at CBSNews, and his life in retirement, his illness, decline and death. It's an affectionate look that reveals more about the man than Kuralt probably would have wanted.

I enjoyed this book. Just like all the other characters (Cathy, Heaven, Audrina, and Ruby) Rain is lonely and vurnerable. She is still searching for someplace to call home. Some of us has been there one point in time. I know how it feels to be overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. I know what it feels like to judged by my skin color and not by my character. As a Black woman, I felt this character. I felt that it could of been more too it. Not all of us live in the ghetto, get beat by our husbands, killed by gang members or live below poverty level. I did find that sterotypical. Those problems are universal in the 2K. Other than that I enjoyed that Rain is finally getting her dues, but at what cost. We will have to wait for The Eye of the Storm. Keep up the good work!

I am a huge fan of V.C. Andrews and her "ghostwriter," Andrew Neiderman. When "Rain" first came out, I completely, thoroughly enjoyed it. And the sequel does it complete justice. In this story, Rain goes to London to attend the Drama school, but she must stay with her great-aunt and uncle, who contain a horrifying secret in their dark, scary mansion. And remember Larry Ward, Rain's elusive father who is rumored to be a Shakespearean scholar in England? He fits into the twisting plot as well. I love Rain and the story is vivid and wonderful. A delightful book!

Many may not know it, but VC Andrews passed away a few years or so ago and her kids hired a writer to finish up her books. So far this writer has done a wonderful job. Although I did not care for the little mini series as much as the regular series books. Lightning Strikes continues the story of Rain. It kept me up the first night reading till I was about 1/2 way through the book. I can never seem to put VC Andrews books down anyway, but this one I just couldnt find a good spot to stop. Usually I can stop at a chapter end, but not with this one. You just want to keep reading and reading and find out what is going to happen next. You want to know more about the secrets of Rain's past. This book reminds me of all the other regular VC Andrews series from Flowers in the Attic and on. I cant wait for the next book in the series to come out. This book is a must read, along with the FIRST in the series "Rain" for any VC Andrews fan as well as anyone looking for a great story to read.