"In the Storm of the Eye"

"In the Storm of the Eye" is the name of the relatively short memoir of Bill Leonard, long time CBS radio and tv broadcast journalist and executive, and one time president of CBS News. The books got off to a very strong start, with the story of Leonard, having become president in 1978, being introduced to his new responsibilities by CBS news star Walter Cronkite telling him he wanted to retire. The three replacement candidates were Roger Mudd (who appeared to have the inside track), Charles Kuralt (a little too folksy) and Dan Rather (young and inexperienced, but promising). Of course, Rather was hired, and the story of the decision making and of the personalities of those involved was interesting.

There was nothing in the book that was either boring or offensive, but I guess I didn't really need to read about all of the changes over the years of CBS executives. The book was losing my interest until there was a discussion of some of the more influential specials, documentaries, and 60 Minutes pieces, some of which I remembered. Also, of interest were the discriptions of the very early days of television, when no one really knew if it had a future, or not.

He described a number of CBS news personalities, most of whom he seemed to have gotten along with well. But, something was missing. Where was Daniel Schorr (whom as you know we just saw ten days ago talk of his experiences, including the 25 years he spent at CBS). And, it is not that Schorr's time was without drama. Remember the Nixon enemies list. And there were other instances where Schorr 'protected his sources' in spite of Congressional pressure to reveal them.

Perhaps there is another story here. I wish I had read the book before the evening with Schorr. I would have had something to ask him in the q and a period.