Rough Draft
A Memoir
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4.3 • 138 Ratings
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“It’s a hell of a story.” —The New York Times
“A stunning and revelatory memoir.” —Oprah Daily
From MSNBC anchor and instant New York Times bestselling author Katy Tur, a shocking and deeply personal memoir about a life spent chasing the news.
When a box from her mother showed up on Katy Tur’s doorstep, months into the pandemic and just as she learned she was pregnant with her second child, she didn’t know what to expect. The box contained thousands of hours of video—the work of her pioneering helicopter journalist parents. They grew rich and famous for their aerial coverage of Madonna and Sean Penn’s secret wedding, the Reginald Denny beating in the 1992 Los Angeles riots, and O.J. Simpson’s notorious run in the white Bronco. To Tur, these family videos were an inheritance of sorts, and a reminder of who she was before her own breakout success as a reporter.
In Rough Draft, Tur writes about her eccentric and volatile California childhood, punctuated by forest fires, earthquakes, and police chases—all seen from a thousand feet in the air. She recounts her complicated relationship with a father who was magnetic, ambitious, and, at times, frightening. And she charts her own survival from local reporter to globe-trotting foreign correspondent, running from her past. Tur also opens up for the first time about her struggles with burnout and impostor syndrome, her stumbles in the anchor chair, and her relationship with CBS Mornings anchor Tony Dokoupil (who quite possibly had a crazier childhood than she did).
Intimate and captivating, Rough Draft explores the gift and curse of family legacy, examines the roles and responsibilities of the news, and asks the question: To what extent do we each get to write our own story?
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
In her incredible memoir, Katy Tur shares how her parents revolutionized journalism—and gave her a supremely strange life while they were at it. Tur’s memories include flying in a helicopter around Los Angeles to capture major news events like the O.J. Simpson car chase and the violent aftermath of Rodney King’s murder, experiences that shaped her while she forged her own path as a journalist. She goes beyond her impressive professional exploits to cover emotional family stories, including her father’s gender transition, making for an exceptionally touching read. As a writer, Tur expertly blends the matter-of-fact tone of a seasoned reporter with her own witty, personal touch. The end product is a fantastically nuanced and engaging look at Tur’s life in and out of the limelight.
Customer Reviews
Better than expected.
Wow! Katy is unflinchingly honest about everything in her life and career. Sharing uncomfortable, frightening experiences alongside joyous, fairytale moments. Perfect title and realization that life is always going to be a rough draft.
It only took two evenings to read, because I wanted to know what happened next.
Heartbreaking, with a Lift
Was always a fan from MSNBC, but had literally no idea about Katy’s background until reading this work. Overcoming the unthinkable…. Travels spanning from Norman, Oklahoma, to London, Paris and beyond….
Absolutely thrilled with this read, a dear!
The Fourth Wall
Leave your judgements at the door and just enjoy Ms.Tur breaking down the fourth wall. It’s raw. It’s sometimes harsh. It’s also an honest reporter inviting you to enjoy her journey through life. She has a lot to navigate. She allows us to enjoy the raft ride through the river of her life. If you’re an abuse survivor? She is going to provide you with validation of those unspoken things we all live with at times. Take the ride and buy the book. You may not enjoy the rapids but you’ll be glad you took the ride.