Cokie

A Life Well Lived

By: Steven V. Roberts

Narrated by: Steven V. Roberts

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's Summary

The extraordinary life and legacy of legendary journalist Cokie Roberts - a trailblazer for women - remembered by her friends and family.

Through her visibility and celebrity, Cokie Roberts was an inspiration and a role model for innumerable women and girls. A fixture on national television and radio for more than 40 years, she also wrote five best-selling books focusing on the role of women in American history. She was portrayed on Saturday Night Live, name checked on the West Wing, and featured on magazine covers. She joked with Jay Leno, balanced a pencil on her nose for David Letterman, and was the answer to numerous crossword puzzle clues. Many dogs, and at least one dairy cow, were named for her. When the legendary 1980s Spy Magazine ran a diagram documenting all her connections with the headline “Cokie Roberts - Moderately Well-Known Broadcast Journalist or Center of the Universe?”, they were only half-joking.

Cokie had many roles in her lifetime: Daughter. Wife. Mother. Journalist. Advocate. Historian. Reflecting on her life, those closest to her remember her impressive mind, impish wit, infectious laugh, and the tenacity that sent her career skyrocketing through glass ceilings at NPR and ABC. They marvel at how she often put others before herself and cared deeply about the world around her. When faced with daily decisions and dilemmas, many still ask themselves the question, "What Would Cokie Do?"

In this loving tribute, Cokie’s husband of 53 years and best-selling coauthor Steve Roberts reflects not only on her many accomplishments but on how she lived each day with a devotion to helping others. For Steve, Cokie’s private life was as significant and inspirational as her public one. Her commitment to celebrating and supporting other women was evident in everything she did, and her generosity and passion drove her personal and professional endeavors. In Cokie, he has a simple goal: “To tell stories. Some will make you cheer or laugh or cry. And some, I hope, will inspire you to be more like Cokie, to be a good person, to lead a good life.”

©2021 Steven V. Roberts (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

great testamony

thank uoi Sreven for a wonderful tribute to a great lady. and role model for women of all ages.

Will listen to it again!

I have the privilege to know personally the author and reader of this audiobook. This book, especially Steve's reading of it, both affirmed my affection for him has a person, professor, and friend, and enhanced my already considerable admiration for his late wife, Cokie. I listened to this book in less than 2 days while driving to and from my childhood home and nothing could be a more appropriate listen for that drive! Steve's recounting of Cokie's life renewed my gratitude for having crossed paths with this remarkable family and inspired me anew to be a better wife, daughter, person of faith, and most especially a better friend. Cokie's lifelong dedication to other women and to telling their stories was just the reminder I needed that it's okay to "do it all" and not feel guilt about the things we can't do. Her vision of women's complex roles throughout history was refreshing and I now look forward to reading her many books on that topic. Go ahead and listen to this book. You'll be so glad you did!

Moving and Influential

Hearing Steven Roberts start off by talking about his and Cokie’s love story and marriage is moving. She clearly lived an admirable life with a determined mindset. I share the same sort of contentment that comes with having both an exhilarating, structured career and a family life. Not one or the other. The sentiment, “it would nice to be able to do everything,” is very relatable. Cokie’s strength and perseverance helped normalize having intelligent and hardworking mothers in tough and competitive workplaces. So much can be said about how her stories positively impact others. She will always be an important role model who was consistent and had sound moral judgment. This is a book I’ll be sharing with my daughter someday.

A Marvelous Life, Indeed!

Steven Roberts does an excellent job sharing the life and legacy of his late wife. I was familiar with Cokie through NPR, but this book illuminates her as a daughter, wife, mother, journalist, women’s advocate, author, and friend. Steven shares Cokie’s accomplished, well lived life, not only from his perspective, but from Cokie herself, and the words and stories of so many of her influencers, colleagues and friends. I feel like I know her now, and I really wish I had met her in person. This is a wonderful read/listen!

Fan of Cokie

I miss Cokie’s wise words so much, especially with what has happened the past years.

Cookie

This was fantastic. She was an amazing woman. Stephen did a great job. Thank you.

Cokie was an amazing person!

The book was very enlightening about the person, her passions and the impact she had on humanity and the historical importance of of women in the world.

What a lovely woman

I’ve always loved Cokie, and love her more after this book. She definitely inspires me to be the best version of myself
My only complaint in this reading is the author saying “And I’m like…..”. Instead of saying, “And I said, it and she said”.
That slang just irritates me and in my opinion takes away from one’s intelligence. And the author and subject are fantastically brilliant people.

Far Above One’s Expectations

You may think you know Cokie Roberts, but until you read this will you believe you know her true essence. Her husband is a remarkable writer and storyteller. He holds Cokie and women in high esteem. This was a narration I loved so much. Historical, cultural, spiritual, religious, and humorous. I learned so much. Talk about a women who understood connection, work, and family.

A Remarkable Woman

Steve Roberts has given us an intimate look at Cokie, something only a husband could do. I had always admired Cokie, and Steve put into words why. I only wish I could have met her in person. Thank you, Steven, and I'm so sorry you lost Cokie too soon.