Audition: A Memoir by Barbara Walters Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Audition: A Memoir
Book Review: An Extraordinary Life and Book
Summary: 5 Stars
At nine o'clock this morning, I arrived at Barnes and Noble, picked up Audition and sat down to read with a cup of coffee. I read for hours, bought the book and continued reading at home.
At over 600 pages, this book cannot be read in a day. However, I have read enough to report that the book is magnificent; extremely well- written, very pleasurable to read and absolutely fascinating.
Thankfully, there is also a detailed index. I found myself eying the index and flipping through to certain sections. I enjoyed reading about Walters' experience with the application form and other details at my alma mater, Sarah Lawrence College.
Open this book and on the inside jacket is a listing of the hundreds (thousands?) of people who Barbara Walters has interviewed and knows. It's pretty staggering, actually.
Born September 25, 1929, Barbara Walters has led an extraordinary life. Walters was first known as a TV morning news anchor and became the first female evening news anchor and many of us know her as the interviewer who can make anyone cry. Walters has spent decades reporting the news and interviewing, extracting juicy details and information out of world leaders, celebrities, heads of state and other VIP's.
In Audition, we get to learn about Walter's personal and professional life and her relationships with many of the most famous people in the world.
In the prologue, Walters states: "It feels to me that my life has been one long audition--an attempt to make a difference and to be accepted."
I was quite moved by her introduction and her feelings about her mentally challenged older sister, Jackie. Walters credits her sister as being the strongest influence in her life and credits her for teaching Walters about compassion and understanding--the traits that have made her such an outstanding interviewer.
"I've guarded my sister's privacy for years." Walters writes. "And although she was the central force in my life, she was part of the package that I'm about to unwrap on these pages."
Walter's warmth and compassion comes through in this book and you come to care very deeply about her. She writes in a conversational tone and the book is very enjoyable to read.
One statement Walters makes I found strange, however; she writes: "I was then, and still am, attracted to men who are smart and powerful. I'm not sure why. I think it's because I'd always hoped there would be a strong, successful man to take care of me so I wouldn't have to take care of myself."
Really? Or is it simply that like seeks like--why would Walters seek a stupid and weak partner?
In spite of that statement, I see hope and inspiration in this book especially for young women and girls, because it shows that a woman can be highly intelligent, tough and successful and still be a woman.
From the author of the award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet.
Book Review: An Extraordinary Woman and a Fascinating Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I found Barbara Walters' memoir a fascinating read and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a meaty book and not a quick read. She covers a lot of ground, from her beginnings and her early family life to her early career in which she was an unknowing trail-blazer for women in television news to her present day work on The View and on her specials. I particularly enjoyed reading about the people she interviewed over the years, and her personal feelings about those people. We so rarely get a glimpse into the personal feelings of serious journalists so this was a real treat.
To think of how many celebrities, world and news figures Barbara Walters has met over the years, and how many places she has traveled is truly mind blowing.
What I appreciated most about this memoir is Barbara's disarming candor. She tells it like it is and doesn't mince words. The reader finds out exactly what her feelings and opinions are and she doesn't hold back, or at least it doesn't appear that she is. It is a bold work.
This is a truly fascinating read and I highly recommend it.
Book Review: An Honest and Authentic Memoir
Summary: 5 Stars
well written,I really enjoyed Barbara's honesty as she put herself out there- telling all. I have always admired Barbara but never really got a feel for who she is from her TV performances where generally she is rather guarded about who she talks about and what her opinions are. This book paints a picture of a vulnerable person who is real.Fascinating stories and juicy tales will hold your interst. For me it did. Thank you.Book Review: An Interesting Audition
Summary: 4 Stars
If you like Barbara Walters this is a wonderful read. The only trouble is that she did so many pre-publish interviews discussing what is in the book, that there is very little new to learn by actually reading it. But I like Barbara (and still do!) so I read through all 579 pages. I had always thought of her as an untouchable princess, having to be chauffered or taxied, unwilling to learn to drive. Perfect hairdos, smart clothes, state dinners, endless distinguished gentleman callers...this book was a wakeup to her insecurities and decisions by indecisions, etc. But also about her ambition to win every audition she encountered. I recommend the book!Book Review: An absorbing account of a notable life
Summary: 4 Stars
I hesitated to tell people I was reading this book. People tend to have strong opinions about Barbara Walters, and not usually positive. Personally I can't stand The View. However, I realized that this woman has accomplished incredible things in her lifetime and has formed relationships with people we only see on the screen and read about in the papers. So I dove in.
This is a readable (if not brilliantly crafted) story of a woman with a troubled personal life who fashioned a remarkable and fulfilling career for herself. At the beginning she just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Still, she struggled to gain a foothold in a man's world. The insider's account of TV news shows warts and all (alcoholism, male chauvinism, reckless measures to get the first interview with newsmakers). Walters also shares her own personal insecurities. This is both a grand story of a life fully lived, and a rather touching personal account and self-examination. Yes, she fawns somewhat over various political and entertainment figures. Still, I found the book to be very readable, it never dragged in spite of its length, and I feel privileged to know her better after reading this book.