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"In the Long Run," by Jim Axelrod

Jim Axelrod, In the Long Run
Macmillan, Ted Axelrod

Jeff Glor talks to Jim Axelrod about "In the Long Run."

Jeff Glor: What inspired you to write the book?

Jim Axelrod: 25 years into adulthood, I found a large gap between the life I intended to live and the life I was living. I wanted to figure out how to close that gap, because it seemed to me that where the potential for great unhappiness resided.

I also figured I wasn't the only person 20-25 years down a path who wanted to make a similar course correction.


JG: What surprised you the most during the writing process?

JA: How solitary it is. Producing TV news stories is a team effort. I've always thrived on the collaborative nature of the process. Writing a book is an entirely different process. I was surprised how lonely I found myself while I was trying to find the right word or phrase to describe a thought or feeling. But ultimately it was like lifting weights, making my writing for my day job much stronger.


JG: What would you be doing if you weren't a writer?

JA: Thank goodness I'm not relying on writing books to fill my fridge. I've got the best day job in the world for that. I'm a CBS News correspondent and hope to remain one for many years.


JG: What else are you reading right now?

JA: I just finished Laura Hillenbrand's "Unbroken." Loved it. It's a terrific, gripping story of human strength and resilience which robbed me of a good night's sleep for a solid week.


JG: What's next for you?

JA: After spending the last two and a half years writing a book of intensely deep meaning to me, I think I need a nap. That's about as far as I can see when thinking about "what's next."


For more on "In the Long Run," visit the Macmillan website.

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