Oprah: A Biography

Many of the same events, issues, discussions appeared more than once and for most of the book, once was enough. Although my opinion of her may be changed as the result of reading this biography, and the information depicted was interesting, my attention waned as it seemed the events were rehashed again and again; book probably could have been condensed by half as a result. Not one for the "must read again" list.

Halfway through the book, I began to feel an emotion I rather doubt Kelley intended as she harped on a recurrent theme about her subject -- how Oprah was generous until she was crossed, and then dropped friends, co-workers, associates with a vengeance that Kelley seemed to be doing her best to make negative. I'm sure it felt that way to the recipients. But honestly, the behavior seems to speak to something very different. And to me very obvious.

Who reacts that abruptly to a betrayal, however slight? We're not talking Martha Stewart here, someone who pinched every penny, who royally abused her coworkers all the time, but someone who seems to give abundantly to friends and even strangers with an over effusive friendliness. Until there's a betrayal, or what seems to the principal like a betrayal. That's the obvious sign of someone of someone who was abused in childhood - in whatever way. Who can't get over an abuse of trust, even a minor one? Who reacts that way? When as a child the people supposed to guard and protect you hurt you profoundly, every time it happens again, it can hurt like that childhoold betrayal. Of course we are all hurt as children, one way or another. But when it happens too early and too profoundly, for the rest of your life you can end up dividing the world into those people who are safe, who can be trusted -- and those people who can't. And you run from those who can't. And you only give them one chance to hurt you. It may not be logical, but it is such classic behavior.

What puzzled me is why someone who has spent her life writing biographies couldn't see it. Perhaps it makes better copy for Kelley to portray her subject in a negative light rather than striving to make sense of her. Rather than knocking the bouts of closing herself off from those who betrayed her, the excess, as Kelley seems to do, (and perhaps some of that is warranted, though I think people can do what they like with their own money) why not point out the obvious roots of this behavior? Isn't insight part of a biographer's duty? The excessive gifts, the over consumption -- of everything -- the lavish giving -- up to the point of a betrayal (or a perceived one) and then the abrupt running away from pain - come on... none of this is new.

Kelley portrays them as the excesses of someone who believes herself beyond limits. To me, they seem more the reactions of an abused child. Whether Oprah was, if or how she was abused, Oprah seems to perceive herself to be one. Her behavior as Kelley describes it seems classic. Only a child, or someone who hasn't progressed beyond that in some ways, reacts to every small betrayal as if it were a profound breach of trust. Only one who has no sense of self worth tries to buy affection. Or feels she has none other than what she gives to others. Only someone in real pain goes overboard on every little thing that gives comfort. Even if Oprah has now, as Kelley relates, fashioned herself in her mind into some sort of 'prophet sent by god', it seems that Oprah has to believe that rather than explain her success by believing in her own sense of worth.

I'm not an Oprah watcher or a Kelley fan, so I have no particular interest or ax to grind either way. I remember Oprah vaugely when she was a broadcaster in Baltimore. I don't really watch her talk show much and haven't in a decade or so, and then infrequently. But I was curious about her journey from junior Baltimore broadcaster to the near media mogul she's become. I'm not particularly surprised if Oprah doesn't have much insight on some of her behavior. It's hard to see the reasons behind your emotions. Harder to change, even when you understand the roots of it. But insight is a biographer's duty. With a biographer's distance Kelley should have been able to do a better job of explaining Oprah, rather than just relating slanted material. As the pages turned, Kelley's biography seemed more a collection of negative incidents than a true attempt to understand and portray her subject. More national enquirer than legitimate biography. But perhaps the story is there in spite of the telling.

After hundreds of pages, I rather feel sorry for Oprah. The fact of the matter is, we all live in our skin. Happiness or unhappiness is a state of mind. There aren't enough flowers, or cookies, or acres, or houses, or beautiful clothes to make us happy. At some point, enough has to be as good as a feast. When it isn't, when it can't fill that hole, too much becomes indigestion. And you go forever in search of what can make the pain go away, for yourself and for others, embracing what you perceive as kindred spirits, giving out temporary solutions whatever they are, from footie pajamas to diamond earrings, sure you've at last found the right thing. And rearing back in pain if and when your hand gets slapped along the journey. Never really happy or fulfilled, however much you have, always searching for the next thing. Even coming to believe it's your job to channel god, making people feel better.

Whatever Kelley intended in her bio, it had rather the opposite effect on me, in spite of all the negative incidents Kelley eagerly related. Oprah is just a person. Whatever her faults, she seems a nicer one than Kelley. Someone who has tried to do a fair amount of good along the way, whatever the inevitable mistakes all humans make. Even if along the way she has come to swallow her own Kool-aid.

I thought that it was interesting. She doesn't tear Oprah apart so much as show her being a human. To make it to the top, you have to step on a lot of people along the way. Oprah lies, which is too bad as she doesn't need to, but she doesn't seem to be a bad person.
I don't watch her show and find her slightly annoying, but the book was an interesting insight into what life is like when you're that ridiculously rich and famous. I wish Oprah would read it, get over herself and embrace where she came from. Compared to most other famous people, she doesn't have much worth hiding.

When I firstly encountered Oprah on TV show, i knew it's something that is more than a show, Oprah looked to me as someone who is trying to be your best friend through the television, the friend who has answers and tips for every kind of thing life is about, I must to admit i was truly fascinated to see how much energy and beauty is in one person,
I used to watch her show since 2002, very late I know, but in Israel she isn't so popular.
as i continue to see the Oprah show, many questions came up to my mind, trying to get answers about her personal life...and in some point...her true desires.
i saw this book on the store and read some reviews claim that this book is evil and full of lies about Oprah,
well, let me tell you, kitty Kelly is an author, and she wrote a biography, and she did her job - full stop !
a biography doesn't mean you need to change details in order to make one more popular or having appreciated character, writing a biography means you write the whole truth by reliable sources, and that book is full of those kind of sources, Kelly interviewed many people that took part in Oprah's life, including her father, and documented Oprah's career moves along those years, and discover many secrets you didn't know about her, which are not necessarily positive, and that's what I like, to see the other side of Oprah, that book is also an important remainder that Oprah is a human like all of us, and that she made her mistakes, her crap, her bad like everyone do sometimes, the fact that she is famous doesn't make her perfect, and that book is enlightening that point wonderfully.
I don't see that book as mean, but a reliable stuff to explore Oprah's character without censoring details.
that is an awesome book, I wish Oprah will read it and accept to change her manners that are in need to be changed.
Well done kitty, I will look forward to your next book!!

This book gave an insight into Oprah that watching her on TV for decades never gave to me.

The problem I have with it is that Kelley relishes humiliating Oprah. For instance, Kelley states, not once but TWICE, that Oprah was so fat she had to buy two large dresses and have them sewn together. (How would that work exactly??) Kelley rips on Oprah about her weight but we already know she is heavy. There's no need to go there.

And the way Kelley brags about how she knows the name of Oprah's real father and Oprah doesn't is just cruel and twisted.

The book is an interesting read but would have been better had Kelley retracted her claws. Someone should write a biography about Kelley and leave her no shred of dignity.

I was very disappointed in this latest book of Kitty Kelley. I am an Oprah fan and have followed her for many years. I agree that Oprah in recent years has become distant from her fans and somewhat egotistical. But, in the whole scheme of things, she has done so much good for women. I complement Kitty for her research, but I do think the people she interviewed have a grudge against Oprah. And, her family especially! Boy, what a bunch of ingrates! I found it very repetitive, constantly dwelling on Oprah's past sins. Are we all sinless??? Are you Kitty? I would hate to have a book written about me. We all learn from our mistakes and move on. Here is hoping Oprah finds her time to forgive herself and move on. I think all in all, Oprah has proven herself to the good she has done for many people, rich and poor. The book was way too long and very repetitious. Shame on you Kitty for digging up all the trash and the trashy people. It does not become you. How about digging up some trash on our Congress members who think they are so hot! Now that would be a good read!

I found this book to be extremely laborious to read. I could not read more than one chapter at a time because I found it repetetive and boring at times. I did manage to finish the book but I wouldn't recommend it for entertainment reading. It's certainly not that.

WARNING SPOILERS
Kitty never disappoints, and she hits the mark with this book. A control freak, a woman who believes the universe has chosen her, an economist with the truth, a wallower in wealth but mostly a highly insecure woman is revealed. One who claims to be related to Elvis and the Kennedy family. Who claims many things in her past that are not true.
I think some Ms. Kelly's other bios are juicer.. but then the subjects haven't used legal agreements to silence even the carpet cleaner.
In the end I pity Oprah, All that wealth cannot protect her from her own paranoia. From her fear of being judged. How ironic that, that very fear puts her in such a bad light.
Ms. Kelly brings Oprah down from her throne and puts her where she belongs. Just another person, no one special just a little luckier than most.
I wish every fan would read this book. I think Oprah should leave it under the seats of every audience.

Oprah by Kitty Tell-and-Sell

Kitty's book is petty, small-minded and mean. Nothing is positively portrayed. From the author's voice--I bought the book in unabridged audio--you get a whiny nasally rendition that sets the tone. It's apparent the way the author feels about Oprah.

Instead of telling any kind of success story, the book is making money by tearing down decades of achievement that very few in the world have realized. Even when Kitty gives some credence to Oprah's lifetime of achievements, she diminishes them in the same breath and tone.

Why shouldn't Oprah be proud of her money, success, where she came from and what she made of herself? No one got to this level of success and money, without brains, hard work and sacrifice. Oprah's a human being--with all the hard and soft angles that go with it, and with running a multi-million dollar empire.

If you win the lottery, new relatives run out of the cracks like roaches in Miami at night in a run-down motel. It's apparently like that if you're rich and famous--the piranhas come out to feast--on your carcass.

Early on, a 5-month affair with an ex-boyfriend is quoted as a "tell-all". That's an oxy-moron in itself and sets the stage for the book's premise of "badness" in Oprah. Families have long torn each others' hearts out, over even $10,000--or less. Oprah's family and friends are no different--although some are loyal.

We can find fault with anyone in our lives--we're all fallible human beings. So we can imagine where Oprah's half-sister's mind was when she went blabbing--when her brain wasn't shrouded in the drugs she apparently was using. Addicted people and heavy drug users are notorious liars, users and losers.

Oprah's secrets are bound to come out, but the motivation of many of the book's "secret-tellers" are questionable. If you decided to write a negative book about a relative, friend, or boss, you would certainly be able to find detractors and negative people to fill up the pages. Confidentiality clauses are something every big name likely requires--my employers certainly do.

Kitty's book speaks as though all Oprah is about is "me, me, me". Oprah is accused of being a name-dropper, self centered, hugely ambitions and constantly seeking self-recognition. I see lots of people in the same mode, without the stature and accomplishments held by Oprah. All of us can afford to dole out recognition more generously, and less heaping of negativity and criticism of others. Kitty is not earning any points to get into heaven.

Gay speculation runs rampant, ... for Oprah and her partner and friend. Stedman is referred to as "Mr. Oprah", which isn't a context I ever thought. Oprah's relationship with Stedman Graham is called window dressing ("attractive escort").

This judgment--and I state that accurately in the way the book depicts it--is apparently because she chose to stay single and childless, and in an unmarried long term relationship. All successes have tradeoffs and sacrifices, and they're ours individually to make. It would be very difficult to have much time for anyone or anything with the level of work required behind Oprah's empire.

Oprah's talk about sexual exploitation, for anyone who was sexually abused--is healthy. If she helps even one person, that's all good in my eyes. People sweep this stuff under the rug and call the children liars, while they support the real abuser. Children become double victims by this lack of belief by trusted family and friends. It compounds and leads to darker places. I applaud Oprah for this--it takes guts and courage, even if you're subject to more of same kind of name-calling. Most kids never tell.

There's a constant reference also to out-houses. If you grew up in crushing poverty, or with sexual or other abuse, and if you're "lucky" enough to make it out, you'll do anything to control your life and not live the same kind of life. You don't have any security in life only yourself.

You grow a backbone of steel and you "escape". Or you succumb and become part of the defeating cycle. Maybe you had some happy times, and after-all, you survived because you're here. But overall you simply will not or cannot go back to where you came from. It's negative and a place in your soul that you have moved beyond. This is described for Oprah as being "not so bad" or pretty good. Well, somebody always has it worse, right?

Oprah's generosity in dollars is criticized. "She needs tax deductions."... so the book says. She's judged for splurging on gifts to her staff and friends at holidays, for paying huge salaries to her staff, for high dollars spent on entertaining and for political and religious leanings. Her book club doesn't escape the grinding criticism, and neither does her girls' school in Africa. She's accused of spending money ... in another country, on only girls, and only blacks. Wow, that's apparently despicable. Any good deed was twisted to evil in this book.

Oprah's farm is also lavishly criticized for being big and opulent. It's hers--she can decorate it anyway she wants. It's Oprah's money to spend--apparently Kitty and some others might be forgetting that tiny fact. Or maybe they wish they had some thrown their way.

Constant derogatory remarks are made to Oprah's weight. The input in this book are gross and over the top about her weight and eating. Why don't we tear down Jay Leno or Drew Cary? They're both fat--and certainly not attractive except for plump gray wallets.

There are references to her show colleagues as being "dull, grey dumplings, with no sense of style". So if you even work for Oprah, you get placed into a special class of mean spirited attacks. Birds of a feather, and all that.

The color of Oprah's skin is mentioned many times--there are apparently many shades of dark or light. Then there are criticisms of Oprah's hair and make-up. This book is judgmental and mean to the extreme.

Regarding the door being closed to her--the author, it's always the right of the mogul and empire to do so. Anyone at this level wants to control their media, brand and professional image.

Anyone who reached Oprah's plateau of success had much more than luck on their side.
Did she do it using "Tabloid TV" like the book accuses? She did it with a lot of planning, hard work and sacrifices. No one reached this plateau of success--she stands out as a class of her own.

I have read this book and found this biography very good. Most worthy in the content and certainly shows many sides of Oprah. The condition of the book was in excellent condition. Thank you to the seller. Catherine Adams

The truth seems to only come at Oprah's convience. I have loved and admired Oparh for decades. Oprah has everything but has managed to lose her soul in the process. I only feel sorry that Oprah doesn't give to so many with her heart. Kitty did her homework and was fair in her book. Oprah's power seems to keep alot of celebrities quiet,that's sad that she is feared by so many. I wonder if she really believes all her power and money have made her truely happy. I'm sorry Oprah but I have cancelled you from my life, I no longer believe that you deserve any followers. Thanks Kitty for all of your research on the true Oprah.

Oprah, the book, tells us more than Oprah, the self-made woman, would ever want us to know. The life she has described vividly to audiences for more than two decades is built around a lot of fiction - things that her family has known to be untrue even as they heard the stories spewing from their televisions.

She has gone from telling how she got down on her knees and prayed every night to being suceptible to every "new-age craze" that comes down the pike. Sadly, she brings along a crowd of women looking for someone with 'all the answers' to life and how to succeed. Little do they know the sham that they treat with such adoration.

Oprah is not so very much worse than many in this world - she has lied (about her sexual experiences and how she earned money in her teen years), misrepresented (how she lost a beauty contest because another contestant 'stripped' - of which there is no proof), her affairs with married men and others, her callous way of dropping people when they are no longer of use to her, and even more tragic her dislike of being a "fudgie" (her own name for herself and other darker skinned African Americans).

Whether or not she and her friend are gay is unimportant. Her personal relationships are for herself alone - something that everyone who speaks about her acknowledges. She has created her "fake family" of Maya, Sidney, Q and Gayle and tried to create "children" through the school in Africa. Who is this for? OPRAH! Have no doubt that self-gratification has always been her goal.

In a beauty contest when she was a teenager, she replied that if she had a million dollars, she would spend, spend, spend! She has definitely done that! Witness the mansion she has built in Montecito, California, and which is closely guarded even from invited guests. It was humorous to read how she had to buy two dresses and have them sewn together to make a dress that fit her girth - only because she has never actually told her real weight and has used weight to act as if she and her audience had so much in common. What a joke! Which of us have many millions of dollars and a staff (totally intimidated by their boss) to take care of their every need??

Kitty Kelly has documented every statement in this book, so denial is not a choice. Ignoring the truth is Oprah's way of dealing with unpleasant facts. Hopefully some "Oprahettes" will take the time to read this book and have the blinders removed from their eyes. Oprah is a self-made success (if you totally ignore the lucky breaks and help she had - which she does) and has always known what she wanted - money and power (which she has accumulated). It looks like a pretty sad life if you truly have values. She has done some good but the underlying goal has always been to benefit herself - something that many (her aunt and Vernon Winfrey among them) have always know. Very sad and not someone to be emulated.

I've watched Oprah since I can remember. I thought she was soooooooo interested in helping so many. I wanted to be just like her and she actually gave me things to think about, I'll give her that.

When Kelly documents the life of Oprah - I believed most every word. Oprah is out for Oprah. Now when I see her at Gala's my stomach turns. I'm thrilled for her in that she had great, innovative people around her, saying that I don't think Oprah has had a creative thought since she left her hometown. I couldn't get over how her father, Vernon being so open and honest. I found it interesting that Oprah can shut everyone up except her family, all of them were eager to tell the truth about the real Oprah. I'm sickened by her giving us so much advice about being close to our families, love, respect, etc., etc. and she completely acts like she doesn't have a family. She throws money at her parents to relieve her guilt and if asked she can say she helps them all she can. The overindulgence of her life is sickening. The school she built? You should really read about that... all deals were behind many backs for unsavory reasons. The car giveaway???? Oprah built-up all those excited women in the studio then when the camera's stopped those poor ladies were left holding the bag... Taxes, get it home, etc. The dragon Oprah producer's said "its your problem, see ya!" Whatever she's done for Stedman it was to shield the dumbo he really is so she wouldn't look like a fool next to her and totally buy his silence. I don't care what Oprah says that is the most laughable "relationship" in the world, and Gayle? You have no idea what Oprah's given Gayle, no idea. I have a best friends for 25-35 years as many of you probably do - even with Oprah money - that's a strange one... Oprah, please we're not stupid anymore, although you've played all of us for a long time.

Kitty thank you for this book. Oprah would have everyone believe she's the second coming of Christ, and many out there still do. Ladies of America, I understand your love for Oprah and the hope Oprah gives you, I was there once, taped it and watched shows over and over again... Please break the Oprah trance and get your beautiful, intelligent heads out of the sand. God's Bible, (I don't claim to know the Bible inside and out like Oprah)but in the Bible I'm sure there many, many verses that aren't and won't bless Oprah's ways. She named her house "The Promise Land" - catchy, but there is only one Promise Land... Please Oprah, geeze!

She will continue to rub elbows with whomever can give her something... Us? the one's that helped build her? natta....
Jealous? Me? That's probably what the die-hards are saying... I'm not the less bit jealous... Money is the root of all evil. I'd rather have my comfortable life with my real "family".

I can't wait to see OWN Network fall on its face.

I regret purchasing this book. I have read other "tell all" books and can usually find something of value to take away. This book quickly gets to the pit and stays there throughout. Kitty Kelly says she admires Oprah, none of that seemed apparent on the pages of her book. I am not an Oprah fan. How ironic that Kitty Kelly is making big money demeaning the ambition and money making ability of Oprah. And Ms Kelly demonstrated none of the upbeat enthusiasm Miss Winfrey does.

This is a horribly written book. It skips all over the place, really hard to follow, I found myself having to re-read many parts just to understand where the author was coming from. I can't tell you enough what a disappointment this book is and I'm really embarrassed to say I read it. I truly expected an organized narrative of positive and negative aspects of Ms Winfrey's life, what I got was a totally unorganzied, bunch of gossip. It was so apparent from the begining that this author was trying to sensationalize in order to make money. For me there is no illusion that Ms Winfrey is perfect or has not made mistakes and has done or said things she regrets, thats life folks. But this book is just so unfair and unbalanced, shame on you Ms Kelly, this book went IN THE TRASH!

It appears as if there were a number of significant challenges in writing this book. An overwhelming avalanche of facts, obviously extracted from close and often reluctant sources, needed to be sorted, organized, and finally presented in a logical, compelling sequence. Although the assumption was that this would be a systematic assasination of Oprah, the author has profound respect for her accomplishments and strenghts. Consequently, the reader is left with an xray view of a complex, charasmatic icon and a fascinating read.

"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)

Nothing new in this book about Oprah....and the undertones of Ms. Kelley's obvious dislike of her are felt throughout. She takes unnecessary jabs at every opportunity and provides little positive perspective. Ms. Kelley seems to be preoccupied with Oprah's many millions and takes issue whenever she can to portray Oprah as stingy. I say, no one has to be charitable, and Oprah is free to donate where she feels comfortable to do so. She is giving a substantial amount of money to all kinds of causes, and that very basic and important fact is really what is important.

I was in fact a guest on the Oprah Winfrey show in 1998, however I did not get any air time. It was a pleasure and a thrill simply to be asked. All of my expenses were paid and I was put into a very nice downtown Chicago hotel. It seems as thought all the people Ms. Kelley interviewed are disgruntled with the reception or outcome of their experience on her show. No "word time" is given to the many, many obscure lives she has changed for the good from a segment on her show. I am positive Ms. Kelley could have interviewed many hundreds of people that have nothing but positive things to say about their experience.

I got my Oprah mug, and shook her hand. I could have been the individual that they picked to highlight, but I wasn't. How can this be anything but still a very, very unique and exclusive opportunity? Being asked to be on her show provides for NO GUARANTEES and anything other than appreciation for being asked is childish. However, Ms. Kelley seemed to hunt all of these people down.

I tried to send a beautiful chair (I am in the custom furniture business) to her offices as a thank you gift to be used at Harpo anywhere she liked. The package came back with a note that regretfully acknowledged that Oprah did not accept gifts, as it clouds any further interest or created problems in the future.

Ms. Kelley does not take into account the fact that Oprah is withdrawn, lonely and living in a parallel world next to us common folk and MUST BE PROTECTED at all times. Just the time in the studio I had with her, people in the audience had to be dismissed because they were physically trying to get down to her to ask for small loans or help. Until one walks in her shoes, no one can understand WHY she lives her very private and exclusive life behind tall hedges and walls.

And about her extravagant lifestyle? Ms. Kelley never really gives her the credit for working her butt off while the rest of the world went to family functions, Easter dinner and simply hung out at home for movie night. No one rides the bus for free. Oprah owes nothing to anyone, she is the force behind her success. I wish Ms. Kelley could have taken this perspective and enlightened readers as to the real grueling, hard core days and nights for years to get where she is.

Childish, nothing new and myopic. I am not even an Oprah fan in general, but I felt Ms.Kelley was like a sorority girl dishing on the popular girl out of pure jealously.

If you love Oprah and follow her many goings-on you will already know everything in the book, don't waste the money!!!

Don't waste your time reading Kitty Kelley's biography of Oprah. We all know Oprah had a tough childhood and that Oprah is grappling with the bad things that happened to her, that her relationships with Stedman and Gayle are sexually suspect, she is a billionaire, she prohibits her staff from revealing details of Oprah's life, she is giving more of her wealth to charity, she can be a bit of a diva, and she spends lavishly. What I didn't know is that Kitty Kelley is so very angry about all of this.

This was painful to read at times. Of course, all writers reveal her or himself, but this one was so full of bias that I felt embarrassed for the author. Her tone was "how dare this little nappy haired black girl have so much ambition!" Huff, huff. She revels in relating stories of sibling and friend jealousies. It seems Kitty can't bide with Oprah's successes in her life. She talks about how Oprah idolizes her white famous women friends and swoons over them. Really, Kitty Kelley, are you 12 or just racist or what? It was disappointing to have such ugly transparency a biography. I had hoped it would be more interesting, revealing, and most of all, objective. I kept reading and reading, hoping it would be worth my time. Well, not so much. Just another book depending on sensationalism rather than substance. Too bad the author can't sell her books based on her writing skills. Maybe she should've titled it The Story of Kitty Kelley as told through her views on Oprah Winfrey.

This book is written in the most mean-spirited way I've ever seen. I've never read any of Kitty's other books so maybe this is the way she always writes but I'm not sure I'll even be able to finish this book because of her one-sided, consistently negative attitude. She says Oprah refused to be interviewed for the book -- well, duh -- and maybe that's the justification she uses for the 100% negative way she portrays Oprah.

I expected the book to be a biography but it's a series of vignettes in which Kitty tries to connect whatever was happening in that stage of Oprah's life to something negative that a friend or relative has relayed about Oprah to the author. If she can't find a negative quote to include, she uses a neutral one but never a positive one. As a result of Kitty's insistence on turning everything into negativity, the writing is jumpy and does not flow at all.

My review has nothing to do with how I feel about Oprah (and I certainly don't worship her) but rather to remind readers to not accept everything at face value. Kitty is continually quoting something Oprah has said in an interview sometime over the last 30 years and then interspersing that with a former classmate or relative saying it didn't happen the way Oprah said it did. But, in order to make Oprah look as bad as possible, Kitty then continually adds something like "this might be considered another one of those lies Katherine (one of Oprah's relatives) says Oprah tells." In other words, she wants the reader to constantly be thinking "Oprah is lying", "Oprah lied", etc. Think about your familiy members. Have you ever discussed a childhood memory with a sibling or other relative? Chances are you two have totally disparate recollections of what happened. If Kitty had said "Oprah might have exaggerated that situation a bit" or "Oprah seems to remember the situation differently than X does", or "perhaps Oprah changed that the truth a bit for dramatic or entertainment purposes", I could go along with her writing. But, instead, she implies that everything Oprah has said publically about her life is a lie.

I'm only about 200 pages into the book and, as I've said, don't know whether I can stomach finishing it. I want to learn more about Oprah's life but I can so clearly see Kitty's motives that it's turning me off.

I have always loved and respected Oprah. This book is wonderful and it was great to read about how she got her start and all the ins and outs of the business. It was very interesting reading about all the people she met along the way and the difference between the ones she kept and the ones she left behind. Oprah is one of the the most powerful and richest women in the world. It's a lesson in the economy and politics and it makes us realize how instrumental Oprah was in getting Barrack Obama elected President! A great book. You cannot put it down. Wether you love or hate Oprah, this book will work for you! I loved it and I'm sad I finished it!

If you're an Orpah fan, buy the book!! If you're not an Oprah fan, buy the book! This book is all about the truth.

What boggles my mind is that fact that Kitty Kelly filled over 500 pages with rubbish. Move along there is nothing to see here. Most of this is stuff we already knew, and none of it is a deal breaker. Kelly drones on and on and on, about the littlest morsel of scandal or gossip about Oprah, stuff like she has lightened her skin or had plastic surgery on her nose, puh-leeze who cares? Very little of this stuff can be substantiated. Oprah has done a heck of lot more good in her life than Kitty Kelly has done in hers. This book is a waste of trees. I am using my book to help start the charcol in my grill this summer.

Kitty Kelley uses Oprah's own words to paint the "Oprah Picture". I've always loved Oprah but I had a undercurrent feeling that she was "all about Oprah". I forgave her for that because he shows have helped so many people and she is a great interviewer. But golly, she sure can be nasty and vindictive! Is that really necessary on her part after having been paid millions of dollars becasue people have placed her on a pedestal? She is generous but also mean spirited. I will probably always watch Oprah and even on her new Netowork but I will always know that what happens behind the camera ain't what we see on Camera. She is quite phony, egotistical, angry, etc. and we can't blame Kitty Kelley for writing about it. Oprah did herself in so many times in a very public way letting us see the real Oprah through her own stories. One reviewer previously said that Oprah was the new "Queen of Mean" and asked Leona Helmsley to move over. I completely agree with that reviewers assessment. Oprah ain't a nice lady.

To fully interpret a literary work, it is necessary to be familiar with the life of the author. The life experiences of the author help define the breath and depth of his/her work. In other words, I got the nitty-gritty on Miss Kitty and it ain't pretty.
Kitty Kelly is an American journalist who specializes in writing scandalous celebrity biographies. In the course of her career, according to George Carpozi, Jr. author of "Poison Pen: The Unauthorized biography of Kitty Kelley", she has been accused of sloppy reporting, poor fact checking, lying, taking material out of context, badly misquoting, and "flagrant and absurd falsehoods" (Ronald Reagan). She claimed to have interviewed actor Peter Lawford two months after he had died. As of 1991, almost one hundred people who Kelly claims to have interviewed have come forward on the public record to claim they never at any time spoke with her. Oh, my. Where is my nerve medicine?
Miss Kitty, the Duchess of Dirt, as baked another literary mud pie and flings it right into Oprah's kisser. Miss Kitty scratches and hisses at Oprah on almost every page. She even strips her naked in the book's final picture. Of course, Miss Kelly knows "Kitty litter" will make her "purr" all the way to the bank.
Okay, I admit it. I couldn't wait to read this book. Kitty Kelley does her best to find every weed in Oprah's garden. She examines every corner of her fabled life with a magnifying glass, searching for the slightest speck of scandal. So desperate is Miss Kitty to besmirch Oprah's name, her book is filled with ludicrous scenarios, interviews with envious, half-wit hooligans and enough mud to bathe in.
Everyone knows that Oprah is television's darling angel, but I want the goods, the dirt. With gleeful anticipation I hungrily turn each page, searching for tidbits of trash. After a few pages, I have to stop reading and wash my hands. The first section of the book is filled with poor relations who grudgingly acknowledge Oprah's many kind and philanthropic deeds, but always end their compliments with "but". Oprah refused to grant many of their requests for television exposure and their pleas for cash handouts. Frowns and sour grapes cover their angry faces.
Soon the book visits Oprah's shameless lies, her wicked sins, her desperate attempts to get and keep a man. Wait a minute, didn't Oprah already tell this stuff on her tv show? Dirt flows like the waters in the Nile. Then the book goes into Oprah's early career. She longs for riches and fame. She climbs the ladder of success wrong by wrong, recklessly stepping on others who dare block her golden road to success. Miss Kitty also grudgingly reveals that Oprah has a history of charitable giving and do-gooding before she was mega-rich.
Once she is enthroned on her fabulously successful television show, on screen she is the image of a darling angel, giving to the poor, helping the troubled, saving lives, guiding the lost. Once the cameras stop rolling, according to Miss Kitty, our darling angel is Gone With the Wind and The Wicked Witch of the West appears, her fury abounding. Do her wrong and your ass is grass.
From reading this book I have learned not to see people on television in a one dimensional frame. For example, many people assumed that Lucille Ball and Lucy Ricardo were the same person. They assumed that the marriage between Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball was the same as the marriage of Ricky Ricardo and Lucy Esmerelda McGillacuddy Ricardo. Now we know that is not true. In the same frame when we watch Oprah, we only see her public persona-- vibrant, open, warm, bathed in sunshine and clarity of spirit. We don't see her when she's angry, tired, confused, being small or petty. This is the part that Miss Kitty beams her spotlight on. But I've come to the conclusion, it isn't important.
I admire Oprah because she uses her money to put hundreds of students through college. I admire Oprah because she helped build a hundred homes for people that lost their homes during hurricane Katrina. I admire Oprah because she built a school to educate the young and light their future with hope and dignity. I see her giving, not as a tax right-off but as a reminder that we as individuals can make the world a better place.
I see the public Oprah as the symbol of our collective consciousness to do better, to be better, to go for "Your Best Life". That's a beautiful legacy--giving people hope to overcome their limitations, inspiring people to go back to school, getting people to stop "texting" while driving, to save lives. All the grimy mud that Miss Kitty could collect is washed away because Oprah is using her power to improve the human condition. The lady may not be noble, may make mistakes, but her intentions are noble.
May I suggest to Miss Kitty that she go back to the Longbranch saloon, grab a bottle of red-eye, and ponder the fact, she failed to dim Oprah's light. Oprah will be remembered, admired and celebrated long after this book is yesterday's stinking garbage.

From what I have seen of Oprah it only reinforces the picture painted by Kitty Kelly.
I once turned on her show to see Oprah and Gayle on a road trip crashing a wedding party. Who turns up uninvited at such a special and intimate gathering expecting to be welcomed with open arms totally overshadowing the bride and groom? Only Oprah.
Another time I watched on the news where Oprah and her entourage arrived at a high end boutique in London at closing and were furious that they would not extend their hours for her. Really, Oprah?
If, like me, you have been stunned by this woman's antics, you will find the answer to the question; Who is she? and how could she? in this book. There are many direct quotes from people who have/had intimate knowledge of her and it seems that the author gives ample credit to Oprah where credit is due.
I found the book a fascinating read.

Good Job Kitty. Usually the Narcissistic Personality Disorder shows up in men. Maybe this is why so may women fall for her crap. Kelly s book proves point for point (from Wiki link below):

* unprincipled narcissist - including antisocial features. A charlatan - is a fraudulent, exploitative, deceptive and unscrupulous individual.

* amorous narcissist - including histrionic features. The Don Juan of our times - is erotic, exhibitionist.

* compensatory narcissist - including negativistic (passive-aggressive), avoidant features.

* elitist narcissist - variant of pure pattern. Corresponds to Wilhelm Reich's "phallic narcissistic" personality type.

* fanatic type - including paranoid features. A severely narcissistically wounded individual, usually with major paranoid tendencies who holds onto an illusion of omnipotence.

[...]

I purchased this book last week and found it very interesting and not surprising. The book is an easy and enjoyable read, and at the store's price it was a bargin.

After looking at a few of the other reviews, it goes to show---America has a real "hero worship" problem. One must remember....when making one's way to the top, there are some things that one might not want everyone to know; and unfortunately it will come out, sooner or later.

No amount of money can "hide" any lies, embelishments or secrets. I'm glad Kelley wrote the book, now perhaps Americans that watch the her show will open their eyes and see her as she is....like everyone else...not above reproach.

I bought this book because I was very curious about Oprah.
It was nothing more than gossip and unsubstantiated stories told by folks who had it in for Oprah.
The fact is, she is a very powerful woman with a lot to lose. She is cautious in her dealings with people, which is commonsense. She also has been insulated from reality by the same people who pander to her.
With so much money and power come eccentricities and I feel Oprah is entitled to hers. Look at Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Liz Taylor. Whatever they did, they still were/ are filthy rich and talented. She's the richest woman in America and was no great beauty or heiress, so she must have some talent and done a bunch of things right.
After all is said, she is a very generous woman who has given a lot back to society.
Bottom line, stop hating...not that she cares (so much)anyway!
If you want a 30 year compilation of all gossip rag stories about Oprah, go for it. Do not think you are getting her bio.

While Ms. Kelley is apparently skilled enough to write a negative book about one of the world's most powerful women and not be sued (which I'm sure is quite a feat). She does not appear to have mastered the art of biographical story telling - and that is unfortunate because she's written a "biography." I happen to love reading autobiographies and biographies, and I was excited to see one had been written about Oprah. However, Ms. Kelley doesn't even come close to presenting a true picture of Oprah in this book. It is a petty, cruel, mean-spirited attempt which fails as a biography for several reasons:

1) The idea that you collect all the alleged worst deeds and worst experiences someone has had, put it into chronological order and you have created a "biography," is preposterous. What you have done is merely indexed a collection of tabloid articles about Oprah. That's it.

2) Oprah has spent a tremendous amount of her life in the spotlight and the picture Ms. Kelley presents doesn't even remind me of Oprah in the least. Now I know I'm not exactly Gayle and I don't know Oprah personally. But, I do have an excellent sense about people. Ms. Kelley could never convince me that Oprah is a phony. I don't buy it. Oprah's for real - that's how she made it. I watched her do it. Her popularity is a direct result of the fact that she is genuine. Ms. Kelley would have us believe the public has been duped for years. If you are going to present Oprah as a phony, you've got to explain how she fooled (and continues to fool) millions of people into thinking that she's not.

3) Ms. Kelley glosses over Oprah's good deeds (which are many). She omits much of them, or gives them short shrift. The book fails to adequately account for Oprah's well known generosity, passion, or her sense of purpose - which are evident in her commitment to so many causes and her relentless promotion of worthwhile pursuits and self improvement to her viewers.

This book is not about Oprah Winfrey, it is about Ms. Kelley's arrogant insistence on misusing the laws of our nation that fail to adequately protect public figures from defamatory depictions. Ms. Kelley ignores commonly known facts about Oprah that undermine her claims. Since she wants to portray Oprah as routinely mean and unfair she believes she is within her right to ignore all the evidence to the contrary. Well, that is not a biography, that's a piece of propaganda!

This book is tantamount to a junior high slam book aimed at taking down the most popular girl in class. Kitty, get over it - you'll never be prom queen! So, while I didn't feel like I learned much about Oprah, I do feel like I learned a lot about Kitty Kelley.

Still capitalizing on the publicity firestorm she caused with her unauthorized bio about Frank Sinatra, Kitty Kelley's newest entry: OPRAH has hit the publishing world with all the wild rumors and speculation attached to it.

In this, as well as her other, work, author Kelley goes through massive amounts of interviews and research. With a skill that a blood hound would envy, she manages to dig through mounds of papers and endless interviews until anyone who was vaguely in contact with the subject has been questioned. That is all well and good but the end results, and we will focus solely on OPRAH in this review, manages not so much to tarnish the image of the one she was writing about but to try to destroy it through accusations and wild gossip. Yes, people probably did say such things about Ms. Winfrey but Kitty Kelley has the unnerving habit of trying to make speculation equal to certifiable facts.

Following Oprah Winfrey from the beginning, there seems to be no stone left unturned as Kelley details the subject's school years, home life, interaction with her family and friends and her meteoric rise to success. When you read the negative gripes that people who knew Ms. Winfrey thirty or forty years ago (and have not seen her since) make, instead of giving equal time to the supposition that they might be words born of a faulty memory, or jealousy, or envy (or, naturally, the truth), Kelley always manages to finalize the process by deleting the question so the comments or personal viewpoints become solid facts. Pictures in the book of the author whispering to Oprah's relatives are meant to cement the impression in the reader's mind of the accuracy of such statements. In reality in this, as any, situation, you are dealing with people who are recollecting thoughts that span decades. Their words may be tainted with their personal feelings toward Oprah Winfrey and her celebrity status and should be taken as such. But in this, as her other, works, author Kelley relays speculations as if they were undeniable truths.
It is quite amazing that out of the thousands of "he said/ she said" references peppered throughout the book, less than a dozen of those that made the final cut are words that are kind about Oprah.
If you are looking for a fair assessment of Oprah Winfrey, you will have to look further as Kitty Kelley has managed to serve a major portion of sour grapes.