Anchored

HONORED AS A NOTABLE 100 BOOK IN THE 2021 SHELF UNBOUND BEST INDIE BOOK COMPETITION

Mort Crim has reported on major conflicts around the world for more than four decades and was a major inspiration for Will Ferrell's performance in the movie Anchorman. Crim's memoir takes readers behind the camera to show what life was like when the local anchorman was as revered as the professional athlete, and just as overpaid. It was a glamorous life, working alongside some of journalism's legends, like Walter Cronkite, David Brinkley, Dan Rather, and Ted Koppel.

The son of an evangelical minister in a conservative church, Crim suffered his first crisis of faith at the age of 15. Despite nagging questions, Crim eventually followed his father's path into ministry. But the more he delved into the Bible, the more his faith was shaken. Unable to defend things he wasn't sure of from the pulpit, Crim left the ministry for a career in journalism, determined to pursue truth. After a four-year stint in the Air Force, he earned his master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University, and by the age of 30, had made it to New York—the epicenter of his profession.

As a national correspondent for ABC, Crim anchored the network's top-rated morning radio show and covered America's newly-developing manned space program. When Neil Armstrong took that first step on the moon, it was Crim's voice that described the historic event for millions around the world.

At the urging of Walter Cronkite, Crim moved from network radio into the heady world of television news. At KYW in Philadelphia, Mort Crim was paired with the late Jessica Savitch, and their anchor team spawned the idea for Will Ferrell's Anchorman movies. Crim's journey for truth will resonate with anyone raised in a cocoon of certainty that they felt compelled to question.

"While [Crim] has spent a professional life-time focusing on the most interesting people in a fascinating world, he’s done an extraordinary job of concealing one of the most interesting stories of all—his own. Until now. Read on!" —Ted Koppel

“In an era where speculation passes for news, thank you for always telling the truth. You left your mark not only in front of the camera, but throughout the community with your tireless efforts to make where we live a better place to be. Thanks for everything, Mort. You were Detroit’s answer to Walter Cronkite.”—Jeff Daniels

“As fascinating as Mort’s professional memoir is, we were gripped by this greater story: the story of a love that would not let (him) go, as this larger-than-life memoir becomes the journey of a man in pursuit of his faith. Or maybe it would be more accurate to say a faith in pursuit of this man.”—Bill & Gloria Gaither

“For those who believe that the unexamined life is not worth living, Mort Crim’s story will strike a responsive chord. His honesty about his life and personal struggles is a breath of fresh air in a society wherein so many of us pretend to believe what we really question and pretend to be what we’re not. This book is not only entertaining reading but is a challenge to take a good look at life’s journey and what gives it meaning.”—Tony Campolo

“Mort Crim’s memoir is a remarkable broadcaster’s journey, told with heartfelt honesty and humor. Mort tells it like it was: radio, TV, his Second Thoughts series and much more. It’s a great trip through a wonderful career.”—Bill Diehl

“Mort Crim is one of the pioneers and legends of local broadcasting. His style, wit, tenaciousness, and . . . I’m sorry. I have no idea who Mort Crim is. Umm, but I’m sure he’s written a hell of a book that will hopefully go on to sell over 10,000 copies. Is that a lot? Cuz I don’t know publishing.”—Will Ferrell, Actor

“Mort Crim was a towering inspiration as I considered a career in broadcast journalism. He was the quintessential anchorman—clear, concise, engaging—always in command of the facts—always trusted. His was an era when facts were not disputed and journalism was at its apex. His story offers a reminder of how essential it is for all of us to rely on honest brokers of information. We sure could use more like him.”—Miles O’Brien

“Mort’s memoir fascinates, mesmerizes and, most importantly, inspires us to learn and search ourselves for our personal truths.”—David Hartman

“The local TV anchor is an American institution. Families like ours find their favorite and stick with him or her for decades. Finally, we get to read the life and spirit of Mort Crim, who the Matthews family regularly and loyally invited into our house back in Philadelphia. For those who enjoyed the satire of Anchorman, the reality TV of The Apprentice, Crim’s new book gives us the real-life drama off-camera.”—Chris Matthews

“Mort Crim’s memoir is far more than a look back at his legendary career and the inspiring story of the personal journey which led him there, although it is surely that. It is also an antidote for the current attacks on the media which engender such cynicism and endanger one of the pillars of our democracy. It is a reminder of how voices in the media like Mort’s, with a passion for the facts, can triumph over the voices of discord. It will leave us with a dose of optimism that the power of fact-based reporting will triumph over the centrifugal impacts of the social media.”—Carl Levin

Mort Crim is a broadcast journalist and author who worked for more than forty years in both local and national radio and television news. He's covered presidential summits, space flights, a Mideast war, and for five years was Paul Harvey's regular vacation back-up. He was a correspondent with ABC, based in New York, a news anchor at WHAS-TV in Louisville, KWY-TV in Philadelphia, WBBM-TV, Chicago, and for twenty years was senior anchor at WDIV-TV, Detroit, where he also was a national correspondent for the parent company, Post-Newsweek Television. His nationally-syndicated radio series, Second Thoughts, was on the air for fifteen years, and at its peak was carried by more than 1,300 U.S. and Canadian radio stations, and overseas on the Armed Forces Radio Network. Among his more illustrious credits are the two Anchorman movie satires for which Will Ferrell credits Mort and co-anchor Jessica Savitch with providing the "inspiration." Mort holds a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University, four honorary doctorates, and scores of news awards including six Emmys. He was among the first honorees inducted into Northwestern University's Hall of Achievement and is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement award from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, where he earned his bachelor's degree. He has been inducted into Broadcast Halls of Fame in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Illinois—his home state.