Anchored: A Journalist's Search for Truth

by Mort Crim

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

364 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2021

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mort Crim has always been a talented communicator and this recounting did not disappoint. Anchored is a great read...a highlight real of seven decades of people and events experienced by a journalist at the top of his field. But note, the book is about Crim’s experiences, not a history lesson. It is personal; it is intimate. Crim’s life position is positive and the book reflects that. He is a person of faith and the book reflects that. He is a person of honor and substance and his treatment of people and events reflects that. He is a journalist true to his values. For anyone who occasionally likes to look at life from someone else’s perspective...personal and professional.., Anchored is a great read.

[John Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a delightful memoir, Mort Crim tells of his early life in a very religious family, his early career as a minister, his many crises of faith, his relationship with Jessica Savitch, the death of his beloved first wife, Nicki, his remarriage, and his many stops in his journalism career in both radio and tv including his long stint at WDIV in Detroit. He offers many insights into his personality and character. The book is enhanced by many black and white photos highlighting his career.

[Ken Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written interesting look at a man who pursued his dreams.

Mort Crim opens up about his journey of faith, dreams, career and relationships. Most interesting is his pursuit of God and a lifelong struggle to understand not the literal interpretation of the bible but the essence of what it means to him. In the end, it is all about LOVE! A very enjoyable and interesting read.

[Joanelle Mulrain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Wise, in-depth, and thoughtful. Historical review of when broadcast journalism had high ethics and was in search of truth - not imagery - and by journalism trained in high ethics and journalism. A great read for those looking to balance a career and inner passion for religion, too - it's about choices. Humanity. Being humble. And, being good at your craft. It's much more than Mort being Will Ferrell's inspiration for the blockbuster "Anchorman" movies - it's about life and its foibles, its challenges, and its twists and turns. Now over 85, Mort enjoy his family and grandchildren. He just hung up the key to his airplane - been flying since a teenager. Just thought it was time. Read about Apollo astronauts, Presidents Johnson and Reagan, Cronkite, Moyers, Jeff Daniels, Will Ferrell, Brinkley, Col. Sanders (yes), Jessica Savitch, Bill & Gloria Gaither, Miles O'Brien, Dr. Tony Campolo, Paul Harvey, and his friend Ted Koppel. This isn't just for seniors, it's for young people who are looking for truth in their lives - and the takeaways are keys fit many doors you have to choose to open and walk through. Great writing, a great read. Highly recommend it.

[Mary Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Mort's book for so many reasons.

I think Mort being the inspiration behind the movie Anchorman is just the tip of the iceberg.

I loved the reminiscing in his early years as an evangelist and the search for truth and faith.
I also enjoyed all the work as a journalist. I come from a marketing and PR background and have great interest in the radio and TV connections in the book. Mort has interviewed every president in his adult lifetime and many many dignitaries and celebrities. All were fascinating.

Readers will reflect upon their own search for truth and faith as they read Mort's realizations, as did I.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories for me, and new respect for Mort Crim

I saw this book, realized that he was the “model” for Ferrell’s “Anchorman”, and decided I wanted to read this. I remember Crim when he was with Vince Leonard, Jessica Savitch, Big Al Meltzer, and Bill Kuster as Philadelphia’s dream team for RV news. It brought back the sadness when we learned about Jessica Savitch’s accidental death. But I did not know the history of Mort Crim, and his faith journey portrayed in this book was reassuring to me as I felt parallels to mine. It was a good book, inspirational, and entertaining as well.

[Sean Kottke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see what Mort Crim did there. The title most obviously references his decades as a news anchor, which the book chronicles entertainingly. But that’s not all! The throughline is a story of faith, Crim’s anchor in the world. The extensive treatment of Crim’s faith journey (he got his start as a minister) raises it above an assortment of anecdotes from a storied life. Bonus star for the audiobook, read by the author in his unmistakable voice. It’s brutally honest and laugh out loud funny by turns.

[Susan Keiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to 4.25/4.5. I mostly know Mort Crim from his hilarious turn on "Detroiters" (or as he'd like to call it, "The Detroiters"), but his excellent memoir is openly honest about both his faults and his strengths. Although not all of my views exactly align with Mr. Crim's, he states them in a way that makes you know that he stands by his principles.

[DDM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not at all what I expected. But I loved his views on religion and current affairs, and that voice!

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting autobiography. More stories from the days in Detroit would have been nice.

[Joanelle Mulrain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will Ferrell, Jeff Daniels, Bill Gaither, Tony Campolo, and Bill Diehl say read it!