Step Out on Nothing

"Byron Pitts' book should be required reading for anyone who has been told 'You can't do it.' Faced with obstacles and challenges that many would find insurmountable, Byron through his remarkable faith and the support of his family refused to accept what all too many resign themselves to today, a life left unfilled, with promise, dreams and aspirations sadly left on the doorsteps of our future. Faith without works is dead; Byron's faith is far from dead!"—T.D. Jakes, author and chief pastor of The Potter's House

"It seems unimaginable that someone of Byron's intelligence and elegance could have faced so many struggles as a young man. No wonder he is such an inspired story teller—his own story is inspiring."—Katie Couric, anchor and managing editor, CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, and 60 Minutes correspondent

"Byron Pitts had a secret . . . one he thought was shameful and embarrassing. So he kept it—for years and years. That he was able to is only one astonishing detail in his wonderfully candid, you-are-there memoir. Vividly written, Byron can tell a yarn with passion and intimacy. Step Out on Nothing is truly moving."—Lesley Stahl, 60 Minutes correspondent

"I have always had the utmost respect for Byron as a fellow journalist. He is outstanding. I felt this way even before I discovered all he had to overcome to reach such heights of our profession. Reading Byron's moving story left me speechless. You can't help but be inspired."—Robin Roberts, Good Morning America co-anchor

"If you have ever been told, 'You can't achieve your dreams,' you need to read Step Out on Nothing. Byron Pitts has used his remarkable skills as a reporter to reveal his most fascinating story to date—the story of his own life. It is a triumphant tale of faith and family, and one man's determination to overcome seemingly impossible odds. This book will move you, inspire you, and make you look at your own difficulties in a whole new light."—Anderson Cooper

"Pitts, chief national correspondent for CBS News and contributing correspondent on 60 Minutes, is as suave and assured as any in a long line of famous correspondents. But Pitts' achievements are particularly noteworthy because he grew up in inner-city Baltimore, painfully shy, stuttering badly, and functionally illiterate. Because he was quiet and polite, he was passed along until fifth grade, when he was tested and consigned to remedial classes. But his determined and religious mother worked with him, coaches and others encouraged him, and he managed to gain admission to Ohio Wesleyan University. When one professor threatened to fail him, another worked with him individually, and yet another provided impromptu speech therapy. Despite his stuttering, he was determined to go into broadcast journalism and recalls the mentors who encouraged him and the tormentors who made him angry enough that he didn't give up. He traces his path through local news stations until he reached a national network. An inspiring memoir of faith and determination, by an Emmy-winning journalist."—Booklist

"Anyone who's watched 60 Minutes correspondent Pitts on television will be hard-pressed to reconcile that collected, intelligent reporter with the 'functionally illiterate' elementary school boy he once was. Pitts's authorial debut tells his inspiring against-the-odds tale, one that begins in inner city Baltimore and ends at CBS's venerable news institution. Enduring bullies and humiliation through grade-school, Pitts also struggled with reading, and stuttered until he was 20 years old. Even after scratching his way to Ohio Wesleyan University, his freshman literature professor told Pitts he was wasting everyone's time. Pitts credits his enviable determination to the strong women in his life, including his wise, spiritual mother (whose first question in any situation is always, 'Did you pray yet?'), and OWU professor Ulle Lewes (who, Pitts says, not only changed my life, she saved it). Further, as an African-American, Pitts had to overcome startling racism in nearly every newsroom he encountered. Pitts shares spare but illuminating stories, such as his encounter with Dan Rather just before departing for Afghanistan; Rather advised him to write letters 'to all the people you love most in the world,' just in case. Pitts's story is refreshing and worth a read for fans of journalism and rags-to-riches memoirs."—Publishers Weekly