“These are remarkable and poignant stories that need to be told.” —Ken Burns
 
More than six million people watch Bob Dotson’s Emmy award-winning segment, American Story, on NBC’s Today Show. For the last four decades, Dotson has traveled the country searching out inspiring individuals who quietly perform everyday miracles. In the process, he has become the treasured cartographer of America’s heart and soul.

Today’s news is overwhelmingly grim; it’s also told by journalists who travel in herds as they trail politicians and camp out at big stories. In American Story, Dotson shines a light on America’s neglected corners, introducing readers to the ordinary Americans who have learned to fix what really matters. “We’ve always known in our heart of hearts that the best of the country was bottom-up, not top-down, and now Bob Dotson, with this superb new book, proves us right.  These are remarkable and poignant and important stories that need to be told.”
~Ken Burns
 
“Here's a great American storyteller who realizes he's met his match in the people he meets. Bob Dotson gives us a thoroughly intimate view of America... with the bark off. This is the unmistakable and sturdy America we know.”
~Brian Williams
 
“Bob Dotson's stories take you on a journey to the places that live in your heart. His words, and the images he creates with them,  connect you to friends, family, and everyone who shares the DNA of being American.”
~Matt Lauer
 
“Throughout his remarkable career Bob Dotson has searched for the real essence of America--not by interviewing the so-called famous, but by seeking out those unnoticed  people we pass by everyday. Those quiet souls are the ones who ‘live up to the brag,’ as he puts it, and remind us what truly makes this country great.  Every story they tell is a jewel...and Dotson a national treasure for caring enough to listen.”
~Meredith Vieira
 
“Those of us who know and work with Bob Dotson stand in awe of his gifts as a writer. Like the work so many viewers have come to love on NBC, this collection of stories captivates and inspires.”
~Savannah Guthrie