Audition

Listeners who've been following Barbara Walters's interviews about her new book will notice something missing: Walters's account of her extramarital affair didn't make it into this abridgment. As Walters reads the stories of her life, it often feels like too much has been cut in order to fit in mentions of her life milestones--becoming a "Today" co-host, the Begin-Sadat interview, and her million-dollar contract to become the first female evening news anchor. Walters's heartfelt reading comes through most emphatically as she discusses her troubled relationship with her daughter, Jackie. With a gap made obvious by the TV interviews and cuts that dilute the impact of her accomplishments, this abridged edition of Walters's much-talked-about autobiography will disappoint many listeners. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

September 1, 2008
Listeners have two recordings of Walters's 580-page tell-all from which to choose. The abridged version is read by the media personality herself, and other than affording listeners her authentic voice, complete with her trademark lisp, this version is not worthwhilelasting just six hours, it omits massive amounts of information; notably, Walters's affair with former senator Edward Brooke.In the unabridged version, Bernadette Dunne does a fine job as a surrogate for Walters. The quality of both versions is excellent, and both are appropriate for audio and biography collections in all types of libraries. The unabridged version is recommended for purchase, though some collections may warrant the abridged, CliffNotes™ edition. [Audio clips available through www.booksontape.comLJ Best Seller, a title most borrowed in U.S. libraries.Ed.]Nicole A. Cooke, Montclair State Univ. Lib., NJ

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