The Kardashians

July 15, 2017
A tale of Kardashian Inc.If John Oliver devoted a show to the famous family, it might share a bit of the snark and incredulity of this report from Oppenheimer (RFK, Jr.: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Dark Side of the Dream, 2015, etc.), a prolific author of unauthorized biographies. Readers looking for gossip about the Kardashians' present lives may be left wanting, but for lovers of 1980s prime-time drama, the author delivers with the origin story of the infamous crew. Anyone who has wondered how this "dysfunctional family with little to no discernable talent besides self-promotion" became a cultural phenomenon will enjoy Oppenheimer's take. The author is clearly one of the unconverted, and the book feels like a companion volume to Kris Jenner's 2011 memoir, an effort to annotate and correct the matriarch's own embellished account. He fills in the gaps and calls out Kris' version as we learn about the doomed first husband, Robert Kardashian, second husband, (formerly) Bruce Jenner, as well as Kris' climb to the top of Beverly Hills society. Robert, famous for his involvement in the O.J. Simpson trial, gets the kindest treatment here, with a close second going to third-born Khloe Kardashian. She appears as a child whose paternity might be suspect but whose innocence and guilelessness set her apart--at least to Oppenheimer--from the rest of the family. By far the most entertaining aspect, however, is the author's blatant incredulousness at the history Kris wrote herself. He's not buying it, quoting her memoir with eyes clearly rolled, featuring such caveats as "she actually avowed" and "suggesting...that she possessed a religious leaning." The book concludes with an overview of the current clan's net worth and doings as well as a chilling prediction of what's next for the ever ambitious Kris Kardashian Jenner: a run for the White House and the ultimate ratings grab. A fluffy diversion for celebrity-obsessed readers.

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August 14, 2017
Oppenheimer, who has written unauthorized biographies of the Clintons, the Kennedys, and Martha Stewart, directs his lacerating attention on the Kardashians, the reality-television family that has grown into a business empire. The chief object of Oppenheimer’s withering fascination is matriarch and “momager” Kris Jenner (née Houghton), who has guided her six offspring into reality-television careers and millions in earnings. Before she married Olympic medalist Bruce Jenner, Kris, a high school graduate, was married for 13 years to Robert Kardashian, defense attorney in O.J. Simpson’s 1995 murder trial. Oppenheimer paints the young Kris as a cheating teenage gold digger who traded up her older golf-pro boyfriend for a wealthy lawyer, writing, “For Kris it seemed to be all about fantasy, image and lifestyle.” Few in the family’s orbit are spared a takedown, whether it’s “narcissistic spoiled” daughter Kim Kardashian or “closeted sociopath” Simpson, although Robert, who died in 2003, is portrayed with some sympathy as a well-liked born-again Christian who was manipulated by Kris. The tabloid-style writing is repetitive—and is filled with interviews from unnamed sources—but those looking for a trashy late-summer read will find many juicy tidbits to feed their appetites. Agent: Jonathan Lyons, Lyons Literary.

August 1, 2017
Oppenheimer, known for unauthorized biographies and exposes about pop-culture's biggest stars, dishes the dirt on the Kardashian family in this readable biography covering Kris' teen years through the family's reality show. The author's sympathies clearly lie with husband and father Robert, whom he describes as a good Christian man who genuinely loved his wife and family. Kris gets rougher treatment. Oppenheimer systematically debunks most of Kris' claims in her memoir, painting the momager as money mongering, celebrity grasping, and unfaithful. Oppenheimer takes care to back up his accusations with plenty of quotes from friends and family as he works through the rumors, scandals, and gossip. He's not afraid to drop names or fill in all the juicy details, from Kris' escapades to the O. J. Simpson trial to daughter Kim's sex tape to the reality-TV show to Bruce (now Caitlyn) Jenner's transformation. It's well-researched and well-documented trash, but anyone who watches the Kardashians' TV show, subscribes to their tweets, and devours the tabloids will find just what they're seeking and love every minute of it.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)