Young people starting out in television sometimes say to me: "I want to be you." My stock reply is always: "Then you have to take the whole package." And now, at last, the most important woman in the history of television journalism gives us that "whole package," in her inspiring and riveting memoir. After more than forty years of interviewing heads of state, world leaders, movie stars, criminals, murderers, inspirational figures, and celebrities of all kinds, Barbara Walters has turned her gift for examination onto ...
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Young people starting out in television sometimes say to me: "I want to be you." My stock reply is always: "Then you have to take the whole package." And now, at last, the most important woman in the history of television journalism gives us that "whole package," in her inspiring and riveting memoir. After more than forty years of interviewing heads of state, world leaders, movie stars, criminals, murderers, inspirational figures, and celebrities of all kinds, Barbara Walters has turned her gift for examination onto herself to reveal the forces that shaped her extraordinary life. Barbara Walters's perception of the world was formed at a very early age. Her father, Lou Walters, was the owner and creative mind behind the legendary Latin Quarter nightclub, and it was his risk-taking lifestyle that made Barbara aware of the ups and downs that can occur when someone is willing to take great risks. The financial responsibility for her family, the fear, the love all played a large part in the choices she made as she grew up: the friendships she developed, the relationships she had, the marriages she tried to make work. Ultimately, thanks to her drive, combined with a decent amount of luck, she began a career in television. And what a career it has been! Against great odds, Barbara has made it to the top of a male-dominated industry. She has spent a lifetime auditioning, and this book, in some ways, is her final audition, as she fully opens up both her private and public lives. In doing so, she has given us a story that is heartbreaking and honest, surprising and fun, sometimes startling, and always fascinating. "From the Trade Paperback edition."
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Everything Barbara Walters does is done with panache. This attractive woman journalist has been giving us wonderful TV specials for years. Now she has turned her talents to writing her autobiography, and it's a winner.
It's a substantial book which takes enough time for the reader to feel a sense of intimacy with the author. Every chapter is rich with information, and the interest never flags. We are given all aspects of Ms Walters - the good and the not-so-good, but the end result will probably be a great liking and respect for who the author is and her ability for hard work side by side with compassion. There is a gripping and fair chapter on Monica Lewinsky, a fascinating one on heads of state, a poignant one on her daughter, Jackie called 'The Hardest Chapter To Write' and others that will be compulsive reading, such as the one called 'Murderers'. It's all here, all her meetings and anecdotes over the years of her extraordinary time in television.
Born in the 1920s to Lou Walters and Dena Seletsky, the author led a different life from the start. Her father was the well-known entrepreneur of night clubs called The Latin Quarter. His lavish entertainment and venues caused wild fluctuations in the family's wealth. Growing up, Barbara lived grandly while the good years were on, but ended up with her parents and sister, Jackie, being financially dependent upon her. Her older sister, born with a mildly intellectual handicap, was the cause of great love and great guilt, and to a certain extent defined the hard-working Barbara we know today.
This really is a great autobiography, mainly because of the author's generosity in giving us all the facts, allowing us into her life with her good days and bad days showing, and giving us the chance to explore an extraordinary human-being.
Foxie
Mar 6, 2009
Always the objective journalist, not an entertaine
I read Jane Fonda's book, My Life so Far, and ejoyed it so much I thought I would read Barbra's bio. While Jane's book related a lot of emotional issues and her life, Barbara's book did not! I thought what a fascinating life she has had, all the people she has interviewed. Unfortunately, as a reporter her novel is very dry and objective. I expected more emotional inserts to find out what the woman was "really" like and she didn't offer many. She was the first acknowleged anchor woman, after all! I know that must have taken a lot of difficult stressful days but she worded it just like that. No, in depth feelings or struggles explained in an emotional way that a reader might find intriguing.
Her descriptions of her interview subjects were good however, she left me wanting more inside information. As the reader, I felt constantly like I was viewing her life, on the outside of a window, not really able to see in...in fact, like in a blind spot.
I was left empty handed, yet her thoughts about raising her daughter and struggle of motherhood were good.
