Audition: A Memoir | 
 enlarge | Author: Barbara Walters
Publisher: Knopf
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $16.75
You Save: $13.20 (44%)
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Rating:  183 reviews
Sales Rank: 139
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 624
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.2
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.2 x 2.2
ISBN: 030726646X
Dewey Decimal Number: 070.92
EAN: 9780307266460
ASIN: 030726646X
Publication Date: May 6, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW - EXCEPTIONAL VALUE - EXCELLENT BUY - QUICK SHIP - SECURE PACKAGING
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Product Description
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 gave Barbara her first 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 great risks, for Lou Walters didn’t just make 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. Through her roller-coaster ride of a childhood, Barbara had a close companion, her mentally challenged sister, Jackie. True, Jackie taught her younger sister much about patience and compassion, but 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 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 was the first woman cohost of the Today show, the first female network news coanchor, the host and producer of countless top-rated Specials, the star of 20/20, and the creator and cohost of The View. She has not just interviewed the world’s most fascinating figures, she has become a part of their world. These are just a few of the names that play a key role in Barbara’s life, career, and book: Yasir Arafat, Warren Beatty, Menachem Begin, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Roy Cohn, the Dalai Lama, Princess Diana, Katharine Hepburn, King Hussein, Angelina Jolie, Henry Kissinger, Monica Lewinsky, Richard Nixon, Rosie O’Donnell, Christopher Reeve, Anwar Sadat, John Wayne . . . the list goes on and on.
Barbara Walters has spent a lifetime auditioning: for her bosses at the TV networks, for millions of viewers, for the most famous people in the world, and even for her own daughter, with whom she has had a difficult but ultimately quite wonderful and moving relationship. 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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 178 more reviews...
 Auditions July 9, 2008
C. Williams
I was very disappointed in this book!!! It was hyped by The View cast to the point of nausea, along with Barbara prostituting herself through all her long time friends. It was written on the level of a child, too wordy, too much information and boring. I can see why the Senator story was so hyped, it was the only bomb shell. Do not waste your time!!!!
 Please don't miss this Audition! July 8, 2008
Dorraine Darden (Texas)
From rubbing noses with the Dalai Lama to turning down a dinner invitation from Clint Eastwood (Barbara, how could you?) this memoir paints a vivid life picture of this plucky yet lovable journalist.
Despite her greatness, it is comforting to know that she is a real person, making tough life choices. At times she was weak, and certainly guilt ridden about having to leave her daughter behind when she traveled, but she was and is also courageous, kind, persistent, beautiful and passionate.
Flying through the books pages on Barbara's coat-tails made me feel as though I was there, seeing events and conducting interviews through her eyes. I'm thankful for Barbara Walters. Her passion for life continues to blaze a trail for every woman willing to open her eyes and see her destiny. Amazing book. Amazing woman.
Dorraine Darden, Author of novel, Jack Rabbit Moon
Memoir:Barbara Walters July 6, 2008
Darlene Elliott (Sheridan, Wy)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This order is long overdue and has been charged to my Visa card. I am a regular customer of Amazon but when I inquired about my order (and used the avenue you instructed me to use) I got a cold, "it is not our concern" answer. I realize that I am dealing with a dealer but your service is at stake too. I can not afford to lose nearly $20 on an order. I just hope that you will at least try to help resolve this.
Darlene Elliott
Auditions ~ great book July 6, 2008
Darlene A. Kapenga (Mount Pleasant, Michigan)
I found this book to be interesting.. and entertaining and have a lot of history tucked in to the pages..
Ms. Walters has talked to some amazing people.. and it was interesting to hear her talk about it..
Love Barbara July 4, 2008
J. M. O'Connor (Chicago)
I've never been a great fan of Barbara, but this book made me one. Loved her view of the past 40 years of encounters. Her determination made a difference for women.
Extremely well written; couldn't put it down.
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