Missouri Western State University’s Convocation on Critical Issues will feature Rice History Professor Douglas Brinkley as he talks about his work on “Cronkite,” a New York Times bestselling Biography.

“A lot of fun and funny stories about Walter Cronkite’s career because he had such an amazing sense of humor and he would hate it if I came back to hist home turf and was boring and dull,” said Dr. Brinkley.

Brinkley’s book talks about Cronkite’s life.  He said it took him about five years to conduct all of his research.  With access to the anchorman’s private papers as well as interviews with family and friends Brinkley said he was able to compile an extensive biography.

“Amazing things like his reporter’s notebook from Vietnam when he made his famous broadcast against the war,” said Brinkley. “Or his notes from when he was dealing with Neil Armstrong going to the moon.”

Brinkley said he had met with Cronkite on a number of occasions before his death.

“I would have lunch with him occasionally,” said Brinkley. “When I started my book he had stages of Alzheimer’s…So I wrote my book using mainly just 200 and some interviews of other people.”

He said he interviewed numerous friends and family members.

“Everyone from Bob Woodward, to Barbara Walters to Jimmy Carter to Gerald Ford,” said Brinkley.

Brinkley will take on the topic of “The Most Trusted Man in America: Celebrating the Life and Journalistic Integrity of Walter Cronkite.” He will speak at 10 a.m. Nov. 4 in Western’s Looney Complex on what would have been the legendary newsman’s 98th birthday.

The Convocation is free and open to the public.