Oprah: A Biography

by Kitty Kelley

Book Overview

The first comprehensive biography of one of the most 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 by this exhaustively researched book.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307394867
• ISBN13: 9780307394866
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: Crown Archetype
• Length: 524 Pages
• Weight: 1.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Every fan of Oprah must read this!

This book really is great. It shows just how racist and egocentric Oprah really is. It's not really a shock but it is really confirmed. Kitty Kelly does not really force her opinions about Oprah on the reader, instead she tells the events as they happened (and usually in Oprah own words) and lets you decide. Next time I think about buying an Oprah product, I will thank again about putting my money into her coffers. Oprah is the Pied Piper of Hamilton, except it's us she is leading away so she can have the town!

Cultural context; Highly readable with careful documentation

Having purchased Oprah's biography on Sunday afternoon, I couldn't put it down until 3 a.m. Tuesday morning. Kitty Kelley's style is highly readable, smoothly and entertainingly interwoven with careful documentation. CBS Sunday Morning's interview with the author convinced me to purchase the book immediately when Kelley showed a room filled with 4-drawer file cabinets filled with documentation. Oprah is only a few years younger than I am. The cultural context of this biography makes it a must not only for females but for anyone interested in social change since the 1950's. I was a fan of the Phil Donahue show and always thought that the popularity of his show diminished after he married Marlo Thomas a.k.a. That Girl. Oprah's biography clarifies that her interviewing skills filled the female niche in Chicago both quickly and decisively, which Donahue recognized and chose to move on. I agree with another reviewer who commented that the book's "most critical comments were from people who had offended Oprah in some way and she 'closed the door' on them". I noticed that the author's handling of these critical comments was staccato: short yet clearly documented quotes that spoke for themselves. Biting negativity came from those who were in some way offended. Kelley shows that Oprah can be very, very good, and when clearly and unabashedly dissed face-to-face, Oprah either didn't honor with a reply or had a good come-back. I bought the biography because it promised to fulfill my curiosity, and I was not at all disappointed. Am I an Oprah fan? Fanatic, no. I rarely watch the tv show (I rarely watch tv), yet I enjoy her magazine. I was one of the 18,500 people in Des Moines at the first big "O Show" rally for Obama and I shook her hand. Living close enough to drive to Chicago for a day trip, I would like to watch a live show before she quits. I have never read any of Kitty Kelley's other books, although I did buy Nancy Reagan back in the 1980's (NOT because I liked Nancy Reagan). I never read it, just couldn't get into the first few pages and set it aside forever. Kelley's biography of Oprah is vivid and does indeed reveal Oprah's lies in writing, copies of actual forms Oprah filled out. In addition to many photographs and a few clippings, a few interesting lists are scattered throughout the book to illustrate Oprah's consistency over the decades. This book brings Oprah to life for those who like her and those who do not. Before being tempted to speak ill of her, read this book.

Great reading!

This book is real, fair and balanced. I didn't want to put this book down even though I knew some of the information that had been revealed through the years. Of course, all past revelations had to be included in this book ,if it is a biography. Someone told me they had viewed Oprah entering the same motel they resided and how rude she was to the door man as well as others. This book confirms that she is not the same individual she appears to be on T.V.. I don't think anyone in constant public view would want anyone to really know who they truly are inside. I think money and power takes over most people and they feel entitled to act any way they like. I know she has helped many people and causes and I admire her determination to fulfill her dreams, life ambitions and become the best person she can in this lifetime. I don't think any less of Oprah nor did I develop more admiration for her. I'm just glad I'm not her. I have enough to do just to become the best I can be during my lifetime. Guess, that is what Oprah is doing as well.

"Ask me anything"

"Ask me anything" that's what the current cover of O magazine says, no doubt in order to squash any notion that the confidentiality agreements and secretive nature that Kitty Kelly puts forth about Miss Winfrey are true. Which, for me, fits perfectly into the portrait that has been painted in this book about the reigning queen of 3pm. If ever wanted to know who Oprah really is under all that amazing make up and designer clothing this is your chance. Kitty Kelly seems to have done an amazing job, along with her team, in researching their subject, leaving no stone unturned and listing all their sources...people and material. I commend them for taking on the very scary, daunting task of going after the seemingly untouchable, extremely deep pocketed, media controlling Oprah Winfrey. Good job, great book. (please forgive any typos as this was written on an iPad)

"Excellent Bio"

(THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS)...Kitty Kelley is known as one of the most controversial non-fiction writers as she often writes about celebrities without their consent, publishing books that are unauthorized. Having written works on Nancy Reagan, Frank Sinatra, and Elizabeth Taylor, Kitty's new book is sure to receive some negativity as its subject matter is one of the greatest American icons and treasures of all-time. In "Oprah" Kitty documents the life of the one and only Oprah Winfrey. Having researched the book for over three years, Kitty performed over 800 interviews with people who have known Oprah, some of whom did not want their names disclosed. Kitty interviewed Oprah's father Vernon, and a cousin who stated that Vernon Winfrey is actually not Oprah's bilogical parent. Here, we finally get to see the real Oprah, from her humble beginnings in Mississippi to becoming the most famous talk-show host in the world. Kitty discusses how Oprah was raped at the hands of a cousin when she was young, the birth of her child that died in infancy, how she never knew her mother, her turbulent relationship with her dad, her years in school where she displayed impressive intelligence with academics, her thirst for being on television, and her eventual rise to stardom on a local Chicago TV station on an early morning talk show that went national and made her into the world's first African/American billionaire. We also get to see the Oprah that we all love and know, witnessing her admiration for children and her hours of dedication in helping kids, especially girls, in obtaining an education which resulted in her developing a school in Africa for underprivileged youth. Kitty discusses Oprah's personal life and why she has never married, a question everyone has wondered about. One of the most shocking statements is Oprah's love affair with former "Entertainment Tonight" co-host John Tesh who had a relationship with Oprah in the 1970's. It is revealed that Tesh ended the affair because he had a hard time dealing with interracial issues. Thought-provoking and extremely well-written, "Oprah" has come out at a special time in American history as Miss Winfrey has decided to wind down her talk show after 25 years of broadcasting, so this gives the reader that special volume of info that they can look upon for research purposes.