Eric Sevareid holds a unique place in journalism history.

During World War II he broadcast the fall of Paris to the Germans.

And for thirteen years his two minute segments on CBS news with Walter Cronkite held the attention of the nation.

But there is much more to know about the Velva, North Dakota native.

The man who authored Sevareid's biography The American Journey is in North Dakota this week.

We talked with him about the man who helped pioneer radio and tv broadcasting.

If it's not the face you recognize...listen to the voice

Eric Sevareid:"I realize you do here and that hes a very sharply delineated figure on your consciousness or unconsciousness or subconsciousness but he isn't with me." Eric Sevareid was answering a question about then US Senator Wild Bill Langer... Sevareid is best known for his commentaries on CBS news from 1964-77. He earned nicknames like Zues and god

Schroth:"In his office at CBS he would spend the whole day writing two minutes, 400 words. and when he finally pull himself down the corridor to the studio people would say here comes God, get ready for it." This man authored Sevareid's biography

Ray Schroth is a priest, author, professor, and journalist

He wrote The American Journey in 1994

Schroth:"He was so beautiful.The mastery of the language, and the rhythm of the voice and brilliant wit and I said I want to be like that. So I listened to him every night for the rest of my life insofar as I could." Sevareid's piercing commentarieswhether you agreed with him or notwere widely respected, listened to and talked about

Schroth reads from one that touches on the role of journalists covering war

Schroth:"Only the solider really lives the war. The journalist does not. He may share a soldiers outward life and dangers, but he cannot share his inner life because the same moral compulsion does not bear upon him. The observer knows that he has alternatives to action. The soldier knows he has none." Sevareid delivered his last commentary November 30th, 1977..

"This is Eric Sevareid in Washington."


Sevareid was inducted into the North Dakota Roughrider Hall of Fame in 1964. He died in 1992. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list