"In book publishing today, one person's opinion matters most. . . . "

". . . . Oprah had rehabbed Frey's reputation."
I include this Newsweek rehash in large part for the lovely picture of James and his mommy. Normally, I wouldn't crack on a guy for having a close relationship with his ma, but in this case, when it's such a tough guy, using and hiding behind her (w/ CNN's help) so cravenly, well, check the photo and judge for yourself. Also check out the link, on the lower right, to an audio interview with Mary Karr, who writes actual memoirs and even knows how to use words (!), and publisher and editor Peter Osnos. Karr points out that if she found out that Hellen Keller turned out to be just nearsighted it would really have burst her bubble. She also notes that she held herself to a much higher standard in terms of factual truth in her memoirs than her publisher ever did. Osnos discusses the importance of memoirs today, the difference between embelleshing and inventing, and makes the point that (regarding, among other elements, the fact that even after the discovery of blatant lies in a nonfiction book, Oprah's imprimatur/reprieve has actually boosted the books sales) "this book, as a statement, is something we should all be worried about."