Katie: The Real Story
by Edward Klein
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Book Summary Information
Author: Edward KleinEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2008-09-16
ISBN: 0307353516
Number of pages: 288
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Book Reviews of Katie: The Real Story
Book Review: Oh, Katie, Shut the Door!
Summary: 4 Stars
I've read through the other Amazon reviews regarding `Katie: The Real Story' and I find myself surprised by two things: 1) how little the public seems to resonate with such a public figure in this forum (only 20 such reviews as of this writing) as compared to, say, Sarah Palin's `Going Rogue' (851 reviews!); and 2) how much behind the times I seem to be in responding in cyber-space to this biography.
Well, maybe there's a question here also: "What's the Big Fuss regarding Katie Couric at CBS News?" I've found her competent, forthright and dynamic, and frankly prefer her to the alternatives. And if she carries a bit of Liberal bias into her journalism, so what? Take a look at Fox and you'll find the same sort of thing from the Conservative perspective. And you'll probably find anything in between if you look about. That's one of the things I find compelling about the 21st Century - Diversity of perspective and personal Choice!
My early presumption of Mr Klein's book was that it would be more of a gossip-oriented, tell-all tabloid-styled exposé. It was the only thing I could find at the time and I had become interested in Katie's back-story and persona. But through the author's lens of a popularly focused career biography I found the work to be thoroughly researched and carefully documented, including its almost 200 interviews. Mr Klein ascribes to attempting to be scrupulously fair and I accept the book on these terms.
The biography is said to be `unauthorized,' which as defined by the author means that Ms Couric neither participated in the research of nor in the writing of the book. She refused to be interviewed or otherwise contribute or respond. In addition, she apparently encouraged family, friends and colleagues not to participate. It is intimated that she actively tried to squelch publication as well.
Mr Klein focuses on Ms Couric's professional climbing through the ranks of local television markets, television magazines and national broadcast news. If the author seems less than complimentary regarding Katie's choices, it may be because she became such an excellent student of working the system. He avers that her goals were lofty and significant enough that even romantic choices and personal behaviors were often the means to an end. That she assumed this strategy is well-supported and very persuasive. She is presented as yet one more public figure that's sometimes less than appealing under the facade of her professional image.
Tell you what though - and here's a place for continuing debate - this writer feels that even public figures have the assumption of a personal life and a basic right to privacy. How well would the common folk among us respond to such scrutiny?
I found the writing to be crisp, focused, compelling, interesting and well paced. It's a good bit of work and will fill a void until Katie (or someone else) comes back with something more substantive and `complete.'
Four Stars out of Five then.
Russell de Ville
26 December 2009
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