Helpful Score: 2
I've never been what you'd call an Oprah "fan." I mean, I watched her show a few dozen times back in the 80's, but I didn't have much of a preconceived notion about her. I picked up this book because I deperately needed something to read and my options were limited. While I won't say I found the book compelling, I did find myself developing a profound respect for Oprah through the writing of Ms. Kelley. (I found the "unauthorized" nature of the biography to lend it a sense of validity.) Oprah understands that she herself is a brand--one that she's spent a lot of money and energy developing--and must be protected as such. I pity her for all the idiots she's had to contend with throughout her career. Someone who identifies themself as a fan might see it differently, but I came away from the book wishing I could shake Oprah's hand.
Helpful Score: 1
I like Kitty Kelley's books...she is so thorough to put together information that is not published elsewhere. A great in-depth bio.
I read the original hardcover release and enjoyed it for the most part. Despite feeling it was a weakly veiled attempt to throw eggs of bias at Oprah, it did have some good objective information woven in.
This mass market revised edition really doesn't offer much more. Oprah's cousin Jo Baldwin, former head of Harpo, apparently decided to grant an interview subsequent to the original publication, so the author has woven in her comments throughout the book in bold face (along with a scant few other subsequent facts, and comments from Oprah herself). So you basically have to go through the entire 500 pages again for the new info.
Is the new information worth the price of this edition? I'd have to say no.
This mass market revised edition really doesn't offer much more. Oprah's cousin Jo Baldwin, former head of Harpo, apparently decided to grant an interview subsequent to the original publication, so the author has woven in her comments throughout the book in bold face (along with a scant few other subsequent facts, and comments from Oprah herself). So you basically have to go through the entire 500 pages again for the new info.
Is the new information worth the price of this edition? I'd have to say no.
Very "telling" book about Oprah. I look at her in a different light now. I'm sure most people with as much money as her are the same when it comes to expecting people to jump when you call, but I thought Oprah would be different, coming from a poor background. It seems money does the same thing to most any type of person. A good read anyway.
This was an interesting look behind the Oprah "veil" with some things I'd never heard before. But I felt the overall tone was biased and intended to show Oprah in a negative light. The efforts at being objective seemed weak. Overall, I wouldn't consider this an objective bio at all.
