Well I think people have the right to write their "story" if they want to. BW writes about her life and her experiences and she does have the right to document her life...even the not so "good" parts of it. We are interested (and the book got published) because she is BW - as opposed to Sue Smith, but there is no difference in Sue Smith's diary and BW's Book except that a LOT more people will read BW's stuff.
As to the "affair" - it is relevant because when it happened it was not common for inter-racial relationships of ANY KIND to be accepted publicly and certainly they were FORCED to keep it a secret for MULTIPLE REASONS - RACE, Her FAME, Him MARRIED, Him a SENATOR. Perhaps they would have married if the same thing had happened in the more open/accepting culture we enjoy now. It's obvious that the they cared a great deal for each other and still keep in touch - and he did know she was writing about their relationship in her book. And why shouldn't she "tell" - certainly not to protect HIM - he was half of the affair and the blame/guilt is properly something they should share equally. It could just as easily have been the Senator that "told" in his book - BW just spoke 1st. I think confession is good for the soul - sometimes you just have to drop the bag of guilt you carry, make amends and move on, leaving the baggage behind you.
Star Jones has her own issues. She LIED and worse, asked other people close to her to lie and be a PUBLIC SUPPORTER of her LIES. Once again, BW just TOLD THE TRUTH about her experience with Star Jones - and Star had already confessed her big elaborate lie about the weight loss so exactly what did BW tell that Star is so offended by? Star has already proven she lies, she lied about her weight loss, about her wedding, and about why she left "the View". I'm convinced she lied about her relationship with Reynolds too - I think it was always a marriage of convenience and one created for "public consumption" that was to benefit both people in different ways. I look at the whole thing like they were playing a happily married couple in a made for TV movie... And you note that BW didn't slam Star back after she made that statement either - BW just said she loved working with Star and cherished the memories and that Star was going thru a rough time right now. Frankly I don't think most people care what Star Jones thinks about BW's Book, but saying something nasty and snarky did get the currently unemployed Star some free publicity and face-time on TV.
Obviously I think BW didn't spill ALL the beans in her basket with this book. I am certain BW has dirt on folks we can ONLY IMAGINE. But she told ONLY the DIRT ON HERSELF - which is her choice to tell - so long as it is the TRUTH, she has a right to be honest about her own life and her personal experiences. And notice, no one is questioning the TRUTH of her book. No-one is coming forward to sat BW lied, or told something untrue or slandered anyone.
The lovely thing about this is it's a BOOK and nobody has to buy it or read it, or watch BW interviews or on TV. I am thrilled we live in a place where it's someone's inalienable RIGHT to speak their mind and tell their story and leave a piece of themselves and their life around after they are no longer with us. I don't like BW, in fact I have NEVER liked BW, can't watch her on TV and could care a fig about her book (or reading it). But I LOVE that she wrote the book and that she made HISTORY in so many ways, an inter-racial relationship in the 70's, breaking new ground in the world of TV (and still breaking new ground), holding her own in a business with a glass ceiling at every turn, still being out there at her age and making it look easy to be vital and engaging and powerful, and intelligent and relevant in a career that's at least 80% VISUAL and beauty and youth usually win over experience and ability.
So, don't read the book, don't support BW in ANY way, write a letter, post an entry on your blog, share your thoughts and your opinion here on WS. But just like it is YOUR CHOICE to do those things, to speak out, it's BW's choice to do the same. BW doesn't have to endorse you and you certainly don't have to endorse her - but ain't it GRAND that we all have the freedom to tell OUR STORY to the world???
There's that old saying that the TRUTH will set you free, and maybe BW is looking for a little freedom and some honest reflection on her extraordinary life as she ends her career. I think it takes a lot of GUTS to sit and interview famous, important people and ask the TOUGH questions and I wouldn't expect BW to be any less GUTSY or HONEST when examining her own life and answering her own questions.
My Opinion