Rating: 
Summary: Nothing new
Review: This book mysteriously showed up on my doorstep. it seems my roommate's mother does anything Oprah says, and Oprah said that every mom should buy this for their daughters. It's a little book, so last Sunday I started browsing through it; I had to know what I needed to know. I eventually ended up reading the whole thing (in less than an hour) and left with very little. I suppose this book is designed for women like me who have ventured out in the real world for the first time. Unfortunately, it fails. First, the book's list are nothing new (i.e. you have to work hard to get to the top, kids change your life, stick to your morals). Secondly, I couldn't relate with many of the things she was saying. We're from very different backgrounds with very different goals. Thirdly, she often writes that the best way to learn is by your mistakes...that it's not enough to just tell someone what to do. Okay, if so, what's the point of this book? The book does have some merit though. I've always had a shallow impression of Maria Shriver. I think this helped me warm up to her and have more compassion for her. She seems passionate about the things she cares about and what she deems important. I also think this would be a nice book for anyone trying to get into her industry.
Rating: 
Summary: When the student is ready, the teacher will come...
Review: Maria Shriver has written a winner! However, her worldly wisdom will only be understood by the insightful who are ready to take a long, hard look at themselves and be honest about the choices they've made in their lives. If, at this time in your life, you are one of those insightful people then RUN (don't walk) OUT AND GET THIS BOOK! Maria Shriver selflessly shares great wisdom in these pages that can provide tremendous inspiration to make changes leading to a happier, healthier life. I am grateful that we have such a marvelous role model out there for young women today. Three cheers for Maria!
Rating: 
Summary: Common Sense You Already Know!
Review: This book is full of common sense you already know. Let's see... is it important to be a mother? Well, yeah... who wouldn't argue with that? If someone doesn't already have common sense, then they are not magically going to get it from reading this book. Don't bother buying it for your niece or grandaughter about to graduate from college as they will easily see through this drivel. If you have a brain and use it regularly then you have no need for this book. I would be seriously insulted if someone gave it to me as a gift as it would imply that I lacked all common sense! This is one book to avoid...
Rating:
Summary: Way to go, Maria!
Review: Reading this book made me want to e-mail Maria and ask her how she got to be so wise at such a young age--wait, I KNOW how she got that way--I read the book! Maria writes with wit and charmingly self-deprecating humor on the "ups" we've seen of her life and the "downs" we haven't in terms of lessons she's learned in the process. A fast and enjoyable read, you probably won't be able to put it down and yes, once is not enough. Her insights are so right-on I can see this book as a pick-me-up on depressing days and inspiration even on my "up" days. Faster- paced and of more universal appeal than my previous favorite in this area: "Plain and Simple" by Sue Bender. The timing couldn't be better for this sure-fire "mortarboard-stuffer". Way to go, Maria!
Rating:
Summary: Real World? When has she been there?
Review: Why does America continue to buy such drival? I read this book in 22 minutes flat - borrowed from a friend. I think it took her that long to write it. Why do Hollywood types continue to think they can pen works of art? What she would have liked to have known before going into the real world? When HAS she gone into the real world? This is a person who has ridden the coattails of her family name, and now her husband. Her "journalist" work is as passionless as this worthless book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent life "guard"/guide!
Review: In this book, Arnold Schwarzenegger's precious wife puts things into focus. She's blunt and direct, explaining that success is not that easy to come by and success is never a freebee. The book contains lots of valuable lessons on life and it's a life guide and to many perhaps even a life "guard" so to speak. Mrs. Shriver is honest about her own challenges to live up to the measurements of her parents and now being a parent and so forth. In short: it's an excellent book. Another book that I highly recommend as it deals bluntly with key issues in life and is extremely helpful, is Dietmar Scherf's "I Love Me: Avoiding and Overcoming Depression."
Rating: 
Summary: Practical Yet Fun Read
Review: This book is interesting, easy to read yet has some practical advice for young people getting ready to leave school and enter the real world, although it's a fun book for anyone to read. Maria keeps each subject interesting while getting the reader to think of their own personal feelings and goals. It's a perfect book to give that college graduate this summer. I definitely recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: A Surprisingly WISE and DELIGHTFUL Find...
Review: Let me say upfront that none of my friends would even remotely describe me as a Maria Shriver fan. In fact, I have never watched any of her CBS or NBC News appearances, and in the periphery of my mind, associated her mainly with the words, "Kennedy" and "Hasta la vista, Schwarzenegger". Given the fact that I rarely read celebrity memoirs and biographies, it's practically a miracle that I picked up the book to browse in the first place! But there I was, JUST about to check out of the store, when for some strange reason I felt compelled to pick up this book. As is my habit, I first read the back and then glanced at the introduction. Before I knew it, I was halfway through the intro, halfway to the check-out counter and absolutely refusing to put the book down!...I was hooked. And due entirely to this book, I am NOW a Maria Shriver fan. "Ten Things I Wish I'd Known--Before I Went Out into the Real World" is witty, compelling, insightful, down-to-earth, completely readable, totally identifiable (for both genders) and doggone it--WISE! :) I found myself alternating between laughing out-loud, nodding in knowing agreement, shaking my head in disbelief and ultimately smiling with gratitude and admiration for the little gift of life and love this book really is. Whether you're a Maria Shriver fan or not (at least to begin with), this short little book is worth not only picking up but reading. Based on a commencement speech she recently gave, I believe I could have (and *would* have) read it in one sitting (were it not for the incessant tugging on the arm of my own 3 little ones!) At the end, she says she'll get back to us in a decade or so with an update. I can't wait! And next time it won't have to grab me on my way out the door--I'll be the first in line, book in hand...and halfway through the introduction I'm sure. :)
Rating:
Summary: Honest, humorous, and right-on!
Review: A terrific little book, I didn't want it to end! The honesty of it rings true, and it made me laugh out loud many times! She writes that there is no better way to gain respect, even self respect, than through hard work and honesty, and being willing to learn from others. She tells the reader that there are consequences for behaviors, that those who behave in an unethical manner, don't last long in their careers. She talks openly of the times when she wasn't proud of herself for tactics she used in getting interviews, and realized she needed to change, in order to be the kind of person she wanted to be, one who didn't succeed by running down her competitors. This book is full of lessons that most of us learn the hard way, which is sometimes the best way to learn, as wisdom is gained and we work towards bettering ourselves, and enriching others. The book says she "has her commas in the following order," and lists being a mother as first. That is one of the few things I disagreed with in this book, as I believe a spouse comes first. This is one book I wish I, too, had had many years ago, as the lessons it contains are timeless, and, in a sense, "old-fashioned." It's just good common sense and respect for self and others. It's written in a manner that captures the attention, and it is a book that one will turn to again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Wise Wisdom for the Real World
Review: I admire Maria Shriver for what she has accomplished in life without the constant help of the silver spoon she was born with. She is an amazing woman in her own right and has worked hard to become a person of great integrity and wisdom. So who better to write a book on life lessons than someone who has learned a few along the way. Ms. Shriver wrote this book after she received so much positive response from a little commencement address she had given. I only wish I had heard such a profound speech before I had set off into the world. After reading this book I realize I only do part of the necessary steps for life success and I am now inspired to work my way into all 10. She recommends: Finding your passion, take any job as a stepping stone, respect your coworkers, be responsible for your behaviors, fail without fear, discard the myth of Superwoman, pay attention to your family life, work on your marriage, make your own money and LAUGH!! It takes alot of energy to live life correctly so be prepared and reach for this little book of wisdom for inspiration.
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