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Audition: A Memoir Audiobook
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(3.01) - 3,326 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Young people starting out in television sometimes say to me: “I want to be you.” My stock reply is always: “Then you have to take the whole package.” And now, at last, the most important woman in the history of television journalism gives us that “whole package,” in her inspiring and riveting memoir. After more than forty years of interviewing heads of state, world leaders, movie stars, criminals, murderers, inspirational figures, and celebrities of all kinds, Barbara Walters has turned her gift for examination onto herself to reveal the forces that shaped her extraordinary life. Barbara Walters’s perception of the world was formed at a very early age. Her father, Lou Walters, was the owner and creative mind behind the legendary Latin Quarter nightclub, and it was his risk-taking lifestyle that made Barbara aware of the ups and downs that can occur when someone is willing to take great risks. The financial responsibility for her family, the fear, the love all played a large part in the choices she made as she grew up: the friendships she developed, the relationships she had, the marriages she tried to make work. Ultimately, thanks to her drive, combined with a decent amount of luck, she began a career in television. And what a career it has been! Against great odds, Barbara has made it to the top of a male-dominated industry. She has spent a lifetime auditioning, and this book, in some ways, is her final audition, as she fully opens up both her private and public lives. In doing so, she has given us a story that is heartbreaking and honest, surprising and fun, sometimes startling, and always fascinating.
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"This autobiography is a revealing and fascinating portrait of one of the most influential personalities of our time. Her forthright telling of ALL of her life shows her to be admirable, with positive values, though not necessarily in her private intimate life with the opposite sex, where she has had numerous liaisons. Touching and frank parts include her relationship with her autistic (?) sister and her tumultuous relationship with her then teenage adopted daughter and how the relationship resolved into peace and greater love. The reader gains valuable insights into the personalities of presidents and killers, stars and everyday people that Barbara has interviewed over the years, as well as a good picture of what it means to be a pioneering anchorwoman and newswoman on network TV."
— Sandra (4 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A #1 USA Today bestseller
Audition Listener Reviews
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" I know-I know Barbara wha wha. I could not put this book down! Unbeleivable what this woman went through to become the first woman anchor. I was amazed by her story starting from her childhood and through her career. Loved it! "
— Jody, 2/16/2014 -
" An interesting read, I had no idea about anything that had happened in Barbara Walters' life. She's quite the woman. A "tell-all" memoir that is quite readable. "
— Sue, 2/15/2014 -
" I loved this autobiography by Barbara Walters. She was a "first" on many fronts, but since that wasn't her aim when she set out, she comes across as very unassuming. I never knew her father was a producer in a famous New York night club. This went a long way toward explaning her future in show business. She was interviewing leaders in the Middle East in the pivotal seventies, some her most interesting stories. She is very honest about her three marriages and her daughter's difficult adolescence. A long read, but hard to put down. "
— Sharon, 2/8/2014 -
" she's interviewed and covered every epic news story. quite interesting to read about the behind the scenes and quirks of so many legends. "
— nooshisooshi, 2/3/2014 -
" very entertaining read. 600 pages! "
— Beth, 1/29/2014 -
" This was not as good as I expected. It took me about two months to read four chapters because I just didn't get into it. I took it back to the library without finishing it. "
— Sarah, 1/27/2014 -
" It was entertaining, but definitely could've been written in a more engaging manner. "
— Kera, 1/26/2014 -
" Too much detail and like many autobiographies, it reads like "I did this and then I did this and then I did that." "
— Carolyn, 1/25/2014 -
" I loved this book! Similar to Personal History, by Katharine Graham, you learn about the strength of Barbara Walters, and the challenges and insecurities she overcame. It was a great mix of her personal story, history, politics and the media. What a pleasure to read! "
— Angela, 1/16/2014 -
" Throughout a ton of name dropping, this made me laugh out loud: "I left the program a week before the vacation began to join my friend the columnist Cindy Adams, on Judge Judy's yacht." Oh, Barbara. "
— Shannon, 12/26/2013 -
" Very boring to me. I was ready to put down after 30 pages, but I told myself this has got to get better. Well, it did not. Coming from her line of work I expected this to be fantastic. "
— Roxanne, 12/25/2013 -
" This is a fascinating read about a fascinating life. When I was a little girl I said that when I grew up I wanted to be "an interviewer" -- this book and Barbara's life re-ignited that passion. A rich, full life - complex and inspiring. "
— Beth, 12/13/2013 -
" This book was really excellent.. I felt it was easy to read and understand. I liked that Barbara was up front and personal as well as honest. Found out things I would have never thought she would do. an interesting book and I recommend it. "
— Mela, 11/30/2013 -
" An amazing story. You learn that the most important thing in her life was her career, and everything else was sacrificed for it. She worked hard though, and has met and interviewed anybody who is anybody in this world. She paved the way for women in her field, and is very proud of that. "
— Amy, 10/23/2013 -
" I had a whole new respect for Barbara Walters after reading this. Worth reading. "
— Toni, 2/5/2013 -
" The best autobiography I have ever read. Very interesting and exciting life. "
— Tami, 12/6/2012 -
" Im not much for biographies but I found this interesting because her life has been so different from my own. "
— Magic, 11/23/2012 -
" The book is really two in one, a personal and professional tale. These often conflicting aspects seem to be at the center of who Barabra Walters is. I thought the best parts were those that focused on her personal life. "
— David, 9/9/2012 -
" Fantastic read, that woman had (and has) an incredible career as well as personal life. Very well written, can't put it down. One complain is that she clearly can't criticize anybody, not even Fidel Castro! "
— Martinaj, 8/5/2012 -
" Wow--Barbara Walters really knows everyone and has a had quite a career! "
— Jenny, 7/31/2012 -
" okay, a bit boring after a while. "
— Ellen, 6/28/2012 -
" Barbara Walters is someone I've always admired so I knew I would enjoy her book. I listened to it on CD. I was amazed to learn how challenging parts of her childhood were. The book kept my interest. I enjoyed hearing about her interviews with famous people all over the world. "
— Kitty, 6/13/2012 -
" Actually didn't finish this. Interesting tidbits but she's way too into herself for me. "
— Joyce, 3/6/2012 -
" It was an entertaining read. "
— Beth, 12/5/2011 -
" For politicalphiles this is an excellent historical summary of all Ms. Walters interviews. She also gave us an insight to her personal life. Very interesting read. "
— Connie, 10/24/2011 -
" I can't even remember what possessed me to open this book in the first place, but it was not worth the time. "
— Holly, 8/19/2011 -
" Purchased so I could really explore the history and rise of this icon whose story I felt disconnected from. Not only did I discover her personal history, but was able to be taken on a journey through our collective history as well. Finally finished the nearly 600 pages yesterday! "
— Kelli, 6/20/2011 -
" Really enjoyed learning about his upbringing as well as her challenges in her early career. Did this as an audio book and enjoyed it. "
— Amanda, 6/7/2011 -
" This is a fascinating read about a fascinating life. When I was a little girl I said that when I grew up I wanted to be "an interviewer" -- this book and Barbara's life re-ignited that passion. A rich, full life - complex and inspiring. "
— Beth, 5/22/2011 -
" Interesting of course. Ms. Walters has lived an amazing life. I've always been a fan of hers. The book however took me forever to read. Not that well-written, some of the sections were hard to plod through. Even though I didn't love 'Audition,' I did find it a (mostly) worthwhile read. "
— Carrie, 5/13/2011 -
" I went from liking Barbara to really liking her. What an amazing career and life. "
— Erika, 5/10/2011 -
" very interesting. fun to learn the stories about her interactions with such well known people <br/> "
— Sandy, 5/5/2011 -
" Except for her repetition of the phrase "to this very day," the book was an interesting history. What a life she's had. "
— Beth, 4/26/2011 -
" A 21 disk audio book that held my interest as Barbara Walters herself read her life story. "
— Maryann, 4/15/2011 -
" Absolutely loved this book and the candid language in which it was written. I've always been a huge Barbara Walters fan. She was the picture of class and composure. To learn of the little scandals, doubts and other issues of her private life was captivating. "
— Felicia, 4/15/2011 -
" So... yeah, I haven't finished it yet but so far it's really good. She is as good of an author as she is a newscaster, and she has a very interesting background. "
— Thomas, 4/9/2011 -
" My god, I thought it would never end. I enjoyed the second half much more than the first half. "
— Kmaxham, 2/11/2011 -
" Autobiography of a personality I have admired for a long tome "
— Sarah, 2/10/2011
About Barbara Walters
Barbara Walters is the first woman ever to co-host a network news program. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. An ABC News correspondent, she is also host of The Barbara Walters Specials and the creator, co-host, and co–executive producer of ABC Daytime’s The View. She lives in New York City.
About Bernadette Dunne
Bernadette Dunne is the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Audie Award. She studied at the Royal National Theatre in London and the Studio Theater in Washington, DC, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center and off Broadway.