PERFORMING ARTS

The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters

by Susan Page
S. & S. Apr. 2024. 480p. ISBN 9781982197926. $30. BIOG
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USA Today Washington Bureau chief Page (Madam Speaker) takes on the iconic life of journalist and television pioneer Barbara Walters (1929–2022). She dives deep into the family, culture, and society that made Walters the ambitious news anchor and producer she became. Page interviewed more than 120 of Walters’s friends and colleagues, which creates an intimate insider’s viewpoint—affectionate but honest. From Walters’s father’s life as an immigrant to her long career, the book soars and shines with intriguing story after story about such a legendary life. Page expertly portrays Walters as an important figure in society, but she also shows what made her human.
VERDICT A definitive and deeply researched biography, likely to be in high demand at all libraries, especially those with book clubs. Perfect for future journalists and young people who may not know what women went through to break into careers that were traditionally unwelcoming to them.
Reviewed by Emily Kubincanek , Feb 01, 2024
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