From Publishers Weekly Dubbed the "Queen of Mean，" Robinson， host of the popular television game show The Weakest Link， is known as much for her icy demeanor， acerbic insults and severe appearance as for launching the ubiquitous， lilting catchphrase "good-bye." As Robinson lets down her seemingly impenetrable guard here， the only thing listeners may find familiar during the lengthy reading is her trademark clipped British accent and straightforward， flat delivery. She discusses her childhood with a fiercely independent， impatient mother she describes as "part monster， part magic" and a kind， passive father she's only come to fully appreciate after his death; then details the lessons and values of her upbringing that led to her ambitious nature and unrelenting desire for fame. In her 20s， she worked as a Fleet Street journalist， and in 1968 she married editor Charlie Wilson， but quickly realized she'd "misjudged a husband on a grand scale." Her recounting of their divorce and the ensuing custody battle over Robinson's only child results in long passages covering courtroom accusations of adultery， tales of her admitted alcoholism and the high emotional toll her loss of custody cost. But she lightens the tone when she speaks of breaking into radio and television， a successful second marriage and her eventual sobriety. It may be just hardcore fans who are willing to make the time commitment to this production they may also be the only ones who will be able to see Robinson in a sympathetic light. Simultaneous release with the Pocket Books hardcover. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information， Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition. From Library Journal Known as the "rudest woman on TV，" Robinson was imported from Britain along with her show， The Weakest Link， as the latest entry in outrageous programming for prime-time American viewers. Her acerbic remarks and cutting putdowns are part of the draw that brings people back to watch this red-haired harpy， dressed all in black， week after week. With an amazing degree of honesty， here Robinson recounts the formative events of her life， which included a gentle but passive father and a domineering and determined mother who dragged the family into the wake of her unrelenting ambition for wealth and social position. To the author's credit， her mother instilled this same ambition and craving for fame and success in her daughter， along with a need for alcohol. In her 20s， Robinson became a Fleet Street journalist; in 1968， she married Charlie Wilson， who worked for the same publication， but he was on the male fast track to becoming an editor. What followed was an abusive marriage， her drinking， and a resultant custody battle with no holds barred. Along the way， Robinson shares her view of the 1960s， the women's movement， and the royal family， including the phenomenon of Princess Diana. The excruciating detail， pontificating assessment of the British monarchy， and the downright monotony of destructive behavior in one person's life make for a torturous listening experience. Only diehard fans of Robinson will find this even mildly interesting. Not recommended for smaller public libraries and a marginal purchase， at best， for larger ones. Gloria Maxwell， Penn Valley Community Coll.， Kansas City， MOCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information， Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition. See all Editorial Reviews