Oprah

A Biography

By: Kitty Kelley

Narrated by: Kitty Kelley

Length: 19 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Based on three years of research and reporting, as well as 850 interviews with sources, many of whom have never before spoken for publication, Oprah is the first comprehensive biography of one of the most influential, powerful, and admired public figures of our time, by the most widely read biographer of our era.

Anyone who is a fan of Oprah Winfrey or who has followed her extraordinary life and career will be fascinated and newly informed by the closely observed, detailed, and well-rounded portrait of her provided by Kitty Kelley's exhaustively researched book. Listeners will come away with a greater appreciation of who Oprah really is beyond her public persona and a fuller understanding of her important place in American cultural history.

©2010 Kitty Kelley (P)2010 Random House

Excellent

This is concise, backed up with facts and quotes in an interesting way. I couldn't stop listening. I like Oprah even more and understand her journey even better.

Horrilbe delivery of product....

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Sounds goes up and down.. as if in a tube.. and THIS TIME it is now my computer...why does Audible sell products that they know are lower than acceptable quality/ THIS happens lots and they know about this already... and they block the easy return of books too- no guarantee

Another "tell-all????"

Only most of this book has already been told...and too much of it is unsubstantiated. Do you think it's possible for Oprah Winfrey to have built her Harpo empire without stepping on some toes, and making some enemies?? She's a shark and a smart and savy business woman!
Kitty Kelley is no dumbbell herself; she wrote another long, boring book, and although I should have known better, I paid for it! Be smart...keep your money!

Kitty Kelley is sickening!

I am not sure what turned me off more, Kitty Kelly’s need to turn everything in a racial issue or her need to sensationalize the mundane.

Oprah, and all of us, deserved better. What a piece of trash.

This book clearly says more about Kitty Kelley then it does about Oprah Winfrey!

Tries to Slant but Delivers Lots of Info

Useful and interesting because it gives lots of insight into a complex and very intriguing life.

It's a shame Kelley clearly has such an ax to grind and doesn't miss many opportunities to slant her presentation towards the negative. Fortunately the book has so much detail, that a careful reader can repair Kelley's journalistic corruption of her own work, and use the plentiful source material to get a good understanding of the personality's life.

But truths don't often come easy or directly, as Kelley frequently skips context to deliver somewhat misleading patches of information. Watch out for partial context historical comments by Opera, old statements associated with current events and points made that are later refuted in her telling of the story.

One example is a story she relays in which Opera's younger describes memories of Oprah selling sex for money. Then, many pages later, she mentions that the half sister, who told the tale, was at the time selling stories about Oprah to support a problem with drug addiction.

Another example is where she quotes comment after out of context comment, that seem to show Opera's lack of appreciation of her father ... then in one sentence, when it suits her story, mentions Oprah's life long attempts to shower gifts on the same father.

Oh

It's complicated. The book engendered empathy for Oprah as well as sadness that she feels compelled to utterly control those who work for her via life long nondisclosure forms they are forced to sign.

I've never enjoyed the books on her book club list and came to realize if Oprah loved it I wouldn't. Obviously O is trying to heal those childhood wounds. I hope someday she does.

It would appear that to be a friend has beautiful perks. If this book is indeed accurate I feel badly for those who work for her but I feel sad for Oprah as well. Surely she has a full abundant life. I wish her well.

Oprah, Oprah, Oprah

Reached my limit around the 15 hour mark. Couldn't take much more. It simply gets repetitive and boring after a while. Some interesting facts at the beginning but if you've read any highlights from reviews, that's about it, unless something huge happens after the 15 hour mark!

Ophrah: A Biography

This book was generally interesting, but it was quite annoying that the author made so many snide comments. The reader's whiny tone of voice dictated a negative interpretation of her words. I kept wondering if she spoke the same words in a more positive manner, would their message be different? It seems to me that she took many, many things people said out of context and put a nasty spin on them. I got through the first two sections, but am not going to bother with the third. It seemed like hearsay from people who held grudges. I wouldn't bother with it.

Entertaining and surprisingly balanced

This is high pop pulp, well executed. If you accept the book at this level, as a guilty pleasure, this is an lengthy and mostly entertaining read about late-20th Century society in America and one of its top media stars. Given Oprah's tight circle and heavy use of nondisclosure terms in contracts with everyone who works for her, Kelley's thoroughness is impressive. (Kelley's forward offers a persuasive defense for the unauthorized biography as an important genre, which is worth a read by itself.) The book is a long unvarnished portrait of the gutsy poor girl whose immense drive and talent propelled her to worldwide fame and a billion-dollar fortune. Kelley narrates the book herself, delivering an extra level of catty admiration in the audio edition that makes this an entertaining listen.

lost my attention

I'm a huge Oprah fan. And was excited to hear this book. But there seems to be a lot of people who are bitter about Oprahs success. And claiming she bleached her skin over and over is just silly. I am lighter than I was as a child because I'm not out in the sun constantly. I wish I didn't use my credit on this. Don't think I will finish listening.