Rough Draft

A Memoir

By: Katy Tur

Narrated by: Katy Tur

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

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?

©2022 Katy Tur. All rights reserved. (P)2022 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Such a good story

I was familiar with Katy Tur from MSNBC. I had also read her first book, which I enjoyed so much. This book covers Katy’s personal life along with her job. For me it was a fascinating look into someone I respect but knew very little about on a personal level. Thank you for sharing your story Katy. The world is a better place for having you in it!

A fun read

Having “known” Katy Tur for a few years via watching MSNBC, I was interested in finding out about her life (I love biographies) and was delighted to learn that this young “talking head” has a lively and effervescent personality that lurks behind the prim & proper demeanor required of TV news reporters on air.

Her parents were quite the pair of characters (not being from LA, I wasn’t familiar with them) and so it’s easy to see where she inherited her sparkle and her interest in broadcast news. I always like her on MSNBC, but now I suspect I’ll enjoy watching her even more. Thanks for sharing, Katy!

Outstanding!

I have read several memoirs by news personalities and was disappointed by the self promotion and meaningless puffery. This is a well written journey of self and source
Thank you for your candor

A terrific listen

In the interests of full disclosure, I am a journalist, though at the local level. I throughly enjoyed this book I found honest and compelling.
Many of the questions Tur raised about the profession are ones with which every responsible journalist struggles. None of us likely make decisions we look back on as 100% correct. Tur doesn’t flinch about her experiences, blemishes and all. I believe she is a credit to the profession.

Wow!

Katy Tur has had so many challenges in her life!! She tells her story well. It explains how she has become such an incredible person and excellent journalist!! Our minds were blown!

Honest At All Levels...Katy Bear Tur

In parts of a personal level very painful to hear her voice. This was more performed than read. Her journey from child of journalists to other goals and, perhaps inevitably, top level professional journalist.

Beautiful

Being true to yourself without worring about the hurts of others. Beautifully written work.

Thoroughly enjoyed!

Open honest and heartfelt story. Katy tells it like it is! Opening up to let us know the real person she is.

Not just “the other Katie”

Early on Katy was told there was already a Katie in news so there was no room for her. Boy were they wrong! I thoroughly enjoyed Unbelievable and was thrilled when I saw she had written a follow up memoir. This/her story is a crazy ride to happiness and success. I enjoyed every moment and if a third memoir is written before she hits 40, I will read that too!

Great book

We loved this book! It is timely and is a great story about family, politics, and the news,
Highly recommend it and Katy does a great job reading it.