Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
America's Flawed Legal System, June 12, 2008
Ruthless is an unusual book about an ordinary guy from Atlanta, Georgia who finds himself in possession of some shocking stories about a hugely popular celebrity. The author was supposedly having a conversation one day with a total stranger on the telephone, when the stranger revealed that he was employed by Harpo- the business enterprise run by Oprah Winfrey. This person began to tell all sorts of tales about Harpo and its CEO, prompting Bonvillain to record the conversations. He had no idea what he was about to discover, not to mention the whirlwind of controversy and legal trouble that his recorded phone conversations would create.
This book contains many accusations against Oprah Winfrey and I found myself taking sides- and changing my mind several times- as I read each page. The story at first seems far- fetched, but these events really did take place and there are tape excerpts to back everything up. The conversations are very eye- opening, but they also present many questions. Why would this guy call a total stranger and start to tell him all sorts of negative things about Oprah Winfrey? Was this guy telling the truth? Was he just blowing off steam about his dissatisfaction with Harpo? And why did Bonvillain tape record the conversations? Was his mind set on making money from the beginning? At first, it seemed like Bonvillain was, indeed, just looking for a way to make an easy buck by selling some juicy gossip to the highest bidder. But the more I read, the more I started to wonder. It does seem odd that a total stranger would divulge so much information to another person. But on the other hand, why would he say this if it wasn't true? And why would he go on and on about the issues he had with Harpo and Oprah Winfrey if there wasn't at least some degree of truth to the allegations?
Ruthless includes many of the actual taped conversations between Keifer Bonvillain and Harpo attorney Bill Becker. This part of the book is rather repetitive, but also very revealing. Becker seems very worried and also highly suspicious- like he is up to no good and is trying to frame Bonvillain in some way. As you read, you later discover that framing Bonvillain was, indeed, Becker's plan all along. He discussed purchasing book rights to the tapes and was very clear that this is what he wanted to do. Then, when the two men were supposed to meet to discuss the deal, the FBI was waiting to arrest Bonvillain and accuse him of extortion. At this point, I started to feel a little sorry for Bonvillain, not to mention disgust with the Harpo business in general and the FBI. Becker lies to Bonvillain repeatedly and Bonvillain struggles over whether or not to trust him before they ever met. Finally, he decides to place his trust in Becker only to experience the ultimate betrayal in the end. The charges were eventually dropped, but not because the legal system worked to find the truth. The charges were dropped because Bonvillain had secretly recorded the conversations between himself and Becker, proving that he was framed.
Ruthless is not the type of book that will appeal to everyone. I found it a little slow at first, but it picks up momentum near the end and some of its revelations are quite shocking. I never would have thought of Oprah Winfrey as the type who would practice discrimination, but the book claims this is true and that anyone in doubt can look up the facts on the internet by conducting some simple research. A little more scientific evidence, however, would have been helpful and would have made the case stronger. It also would have been nice if the book had included some appendices, notes, etc. at the end of the book. The book's position would have been more believable if it provided some notes on sources.
Overall, Ruthless is a book I recommend reading for its insight into the flawed legal system and, to a lesser extent, its revealing information about Harpo and Oprah Winfrey. The author's hands are not completely clean since he did, after all, decide to record these phone conversations without the other parties consent. But the betrayal he experienced and the false arrest at the hands of the FBI are reason for concern and they point out the many problems with the legal system in the United States. It could be worse, yes. But the lying and framing by the FBI and other legal organizations is something that needs to be addressed more frequently and citizens need to be more fully aware of these practices and their long- term consequences.
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11 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
No facts all gossip and innuendo Zero stars , April 10, 2008
A disclaimer of sorts. The book was sent to me to review, and I get books every week to read and review. Majority of the time the books are worth a read. I am not one who watches Oprah, or reads her magazine anymore, simply because she is way to materialistic for my tastes.
So I get to the post office and this was in the mail, so I opened and glanced at the book and then went on to pick up a friend who had a doctors appointment, where I would spend my time reading the book.
From the get go the question that came up over and over, was why do people who have signed a legal agreement of confidently think they don't have to honour the agreement? Many many people I know (and you do not have to be rich) have legal documents that they have nannies, housekeepers etc sign so that their privacy can be just that...private.
As I read the book, which isn't an easy read if you are literate and ethically minded, I kept thinking how the author and his informant seem to have some cockeyed idea that Oprah is supposed to be perfect. Isn't supposed to make mistakes, forget specific events, that in the big picture, are not that important.
And the author seems stuck on the idea that Oprah doesn't hire enough blacks. He gives what he sees as proof, she doesn't. Completely overlooking the demographics of her audience and what the professionals have told her are what her audience wants. The fact she is smart, and listens to wise advise seems to make him mad. Remember her audience is made up of mostly white women, between the ages of 25 and 50. He also ignores the distinct possibility that Oprah wants to hire the best in whatever field, and perhaps there are not enough non whites graduating in the fields she needs.
Even high tech CEO's bemoan the fact that not enough Americans are graduating in the fields needed. The author also dislikes with a passion that the blacks Oprah has in her circle of associates and friends aren't black enough. Give me a break. And don't even get me started on what he says about lesbians and sex. It's gossip and innuendo. NO facts.
The book could have been written by some gossip rag that you see staring at you at the check out stand. And I don't read them!! And after reading this book I literally felt the need to rush home and take a shower. And I disliked with a passion how he used his Christianity to try and make this book legit.
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6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A rare glance into a dark world, April 7, 2008
I purchased Bonvillain's book to find out what was really going on. As I read the book, I was mesmerized by what he shared. He was so candid. I felt like I had witnessed the public unveiling of his soul. I never met the man, but I can say with all certainty that he is not the gold digger that the media has made him out to be.
Oprah Winfrey has a lot of adoring fans who will attempt to discredit Bonvillain but the book is far more than gossip. Bonvillain gave irrefutable proof that supported the allegations made by Oprah's employee. In addition to that, he provided the actual transcrips of the conversations he had with Oprah's camp-letters, emails, court documents and all. What better way to tell the story than to include the actual transcripts!
The book was an eye opener for me. It made me laugh. I cried. I got angry and happy all in the same reading session. So my advice to anyone would be to read the book.
I have written to the author to thank him for sharing his expeiences with the world.
I hope this information has been helpful. By the way, I still watch Oprah. I just feel like I know who I am watching now.
Mary
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