Oprah Winfrey: The Real Story

by George Mair

A portrait of the popular talk-show host chronicles Oprah Winfrey's dramatic rise to success, detailing her difficult childhood, battle with weight, career path, charitable enterprises, personal life, and more.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I only read the abridged audiobook (meaning much has been left out), what I heard seems to confirm what other reviewers have said: this book is a skin-deep look at the life and career of Oprah Winfrey, heavy on speculation but lacking in the greater insight and scope that other celebrity biographers such as Kitty Kelley ( His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra ), Stephen Michael Shearer ( Beautiful: The Life of Hedy Lamarr ), and Gerald Clarke ( Capote ) might have brought to the table. Funnily enough, the postscript is arguably the best part of the book, being more critical of Winfrey's media role and behind the scenes personality than anything before it. Not knowing much about how Winfrey came to be so successful and powerful, this book was a little more enlightening for me than it would probably be for more informed readers, hence the 3 stars. I can't see it satisfying anyone with a more than basic knowledge of Oprah's life story, however.

[Bob Cat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good grief this book is an uninteresting look at an interesting woman. You can get all this information from numerous articles and interviews, all well known stuff except the speculation and gossip from a ham handed hack with no special access, insight or knowledge about Winfrey. Yuck.

[Amanda Van Asperen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look into Oprah's life but can get a bit boring with the business side of things

[Colleen Waltner · Rating 1 out of 5]

This has very little to do with the idea of Miss Winfrey. The only people who should perhaps should read this are people who intend to work with TV syndication.

[Rosa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly previously published stories. Good insight into TV syndication.

[Marni · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of reusing photos and articles published elsewhere.

It did have some interesting information about the beginning of the current talk show business on radio and television.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made for an intriguing read but not really sure whether i can believe some of the stuff written...Well, I certainly won't be able to watch another episode without wondering if the audience was indeed planted!

[Patti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since Oprah did not author this book, you have to take with a grain of salt what the author/journalist writes. No real "secrets" about Oprah were revealed.

[Kara]

My second biography I ever read...funny huh?

[Elaine Cougler · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a waste of my time.

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veers off on tv-related tangents often, but an interesting read, up to 1994 anyway