Barbara Walters (1929–2022)

After more than 40 years interviewing heads of state, world leaders, movie stars, criminals and murderers, inspirational figures and celebrities of all kinds, the most influential woman in the history of television journalism finally writes her memoir. Barbara Walters's perception of the world was formed from 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 gave Barbara her first show more taste of glamour. It also made her aware of the ups and downs, the insecurities, and even the tragedies that can occur when someone is willing to take such great risks, for Lou Walters not only made several fortunes - he also lost them.

Barbara learned early about the damage that such an existence can do to relationships - between husband and wife as well as between parent and child. Throughout her roller-coaster ride of a childhood, Barbara had a constant companion, her mentally-challenged sister, Jackie. True, Jackie taught her younger sister much about patience and compassion, however Barbara also writes honestly about the resentment she often felt having a sister who was so "different" and the guilt that still haunts her.

All of this - the financial responsibility for her family, the fear, the love - played a large part in the choices Barbara 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, as well as a decent amount of luck, she began a career in television. And what a career it has been! Against incredible odds, Barbara has made it to the top of a male-dominated industry. She is a true trail-blazer within the industry, becoming the most trusted television journalist of all time. She has not only interviewed the world's most fascinating figures, she has become a part of their world.

I really enjoyed this book! After having it on my bookshelf unread for almost three years, I finally took the plunge and read it. At 579 pages, I was somewhat daunted to begin reading, despite really wanting to read this book almost from the moment it was published! Overall, it was an incredibly interesting and engaging book for me to read, even though there were one or two chapters that were slow reading. I must say that Barbara Walters has lived an incredibly exciting life and has done much to be admired for by her peers. Ultimately, I give Audition: A Memoir by Barbara Walters an A+! show less

Before reading this, all I knew about Barbara Walters was that she was famous for making celebrities cry and she was on "The View" sometimes. Now I appreciate her so much more for the way that she opened doors for women in the field of journalism. Insights into her personal life are interesting too - unlucky at love and family but one beautiful daughter seems to make up for all of that. I really, really enjoyed this book and it was perfect to read as the 2008 presidential election wound down.

Just finished her memoirs. She does a show once a year called "Ten Most Fascinating People". She deserves to be one of those people. Very fascinating book. No long review this time.

Except for a couple of observations. She admits in her book about a long time and very secretive love affair with former Sen. Edward Brooke, while he was still married. She talks about it and analyzes it from what would happen to their careers if it ever came out. There was no analyzes about whether this was show more right or wrong. Certainly I am no one to judge. But then later in the book, she speaks of other people who were engaging in the same kind of activity and she thought it horrible. That was sorta weird.

She does explain her side of the story about the various controversies surrounding the View.

She talks about the many interviews she has done over the years, including the ones she enjoyed the most and hated the most.

She and her parents were Jewish, but not practicing Jews.

She talks about her father, who was in the entertainment industry, and a sister who was developmentally disabled. She spoke about how her parents and sister made an impact on her life.

She talks about her three miscarriages and three unsuccessful marriages. She did adopt a child, who cause her much grief in her teen years, but later became a valuable member of society. show less

Well written, often in a conversational style, this book was interesting for all of its 600-plus pages. Walters does a great job examining her background as a source of her drive and ambition. The book takes us through the 7 decades that she has lived, examining her personal and professional lives, in addition to current world events. She has a wonderful ability to summarize a time period, such as Watergate, clearly and succinctly. I was struck by her sense of guilt, particularly with show more regards to her daughter and the demands of her career. I found it a very thoughtful book - well worth reading. show less