Rating: 
Summary: Very good advice
Review: This book is great for people who are just starting their careers or having trouble with their careers. Ms. Shriver talks about things that we should have known before we go out here in the real world. One particular lesson that stood out to me was ethics and I have noticed that some people have become so aggressive, sinister and cutting the throats of coworkers in order to move up the food. Well the same people that we meet on our way up are the same individuals we are going to meet on our way back down. I have seen this happen to so many young people and once their demise has been casted upon them people have treated these deceitful people as if they had the plague. There are a ton of young people that I see entering the job market who lack professional ethics and I would definitely recommend this particular book to them.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational; A Quick Read
Review: I actually bought this book for my little sister as a high school graduation present in 2000. I have since read it myself, and rather enjoyed it. Maria Shriver appears to be down to earth, honest, and frank about herself. She freely admits she was handed everything on a silver platter in her life, but she did bust her butt and work her way up more than people think. She had an overbearing supervisor at one of her early TV stations who made it even harder for her because she was a Kennedy. Maria is actually grateful for the experience, because that makes you even more tough, focused, and determined to prove yourself, in that kind of situation. Every person deserves to tell their story in their own way, and Maria has done a wonderful job, in my opinion. This book also is a quick read, and worth reading if you're into this kind of thing.
Rating: 
Summary: Eh.
Review: Sorry, Maria, but most people do not regularly spend their summers in the hamptons and get post-college jobs directly in their field of choice. Although this book does have some decent advice, I longed for Maria to tell some tale about how she suffered through a waitressing job at Bennigan's before getting into the career she REALLY wanted. Not so. She graduated from college and immediately got a career in television. Basically, this book has nothing that someone who HAS been in the real world can't tell you already. They might be able to even offer advice Ms. Shriver couldn't. Save your money; you'll need it to help pay next month's rent, you recent college grad, you.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Read!
Review: When Holy Cross College invited NBC News correspondent Maria Shriver to give the 1998 commencement address, she almost refused. Although she is a niece of President John F. Kennedy, she was almost terminally afraid of giving speeches. But to our benefit, she changed her mind. This charming little book is her response to the flood of requests she received after her speech aired on C-SPAN. In an expanded version, she explores each of her "ten things" through commentary and illustrative experiences from nearly twenty-five years as a network news journalist. She also draws on her personal life as a daughter, friend, wife, and mother. Intimate, clever, funny, and wise, this life lessons book is also an insider look at the media. We [...] recommend this smartly written book for anyone interested in a quick but satisfying read, especially media and (or) celebrity junkies.
Rating: 
Summary: The Best Graduation Present I Received
Review: I received this book as a gift after I had graduated from university. I had just moved into my own apartment when my best friends' mother gave me the book. I read it and re-read it over and over again. The lessons are so true and are appropriate for anyone who has just stepped out into the real world. All types of issues are covered from marriage, to career choices to adjusting to life on your own and to financial issues. I think Maria Shriver is an outstanding author who is also a good friend. Having lost my mother while in my teens, I needed to hear advice such as this from a woman. This book was the comfort and the confidence booster that I needed in order to prepare me for the adjustments in my life. If you follow her advice, you will succeed. If you ever read this Maria, congratulations. You have set a fine example for women everywhere.
Rating:
Summary: SUPER BOOK
Review: Maria astounded me with her book! When I was given the book as a gift from a co-worker, I immediately figured it would be about the hardships of a person with a "royal" family background. I didn't think Maria would have anything to say that would inspire a 25-year-old girl from the South! I thought she may have "book" smarts, but no "common sense" smarts when it comes to the "real" world. Boy, was I wrong! Maria's writing goes to show that, even though she has a high lifestyle, she doesn't put herself (or her experiences) above those of us who are in the working class -- those of us who struggle through college while we work full-time to make ends meet! Reading about her hardships of failure in the medium business; yet her drive to continue and take insults with her head held high, touched me deeply. It shows that even though she came from money, it didn't mean that she didn't have to struggle. We all have to struggle to get anywhere in our life, but it is worth it in the end. I have a Master's in English Literature and my area is Victorian Literature (all of the "old" novels for people who are unaware); yet Maria's book is the one I keep in my nightstand! I think she has all the smarts to enlighten reader's once again -- so I can't wait until she writes again!
Rating: 
Summary: Great advice for middle school grads
Review: I've never greatly liked Maria Shriver, but have always been absolutely fascinated that she married Arnold Schwsrtzengger. It was sort of like Jane Pauley marrying The Hulk.Nevertheless, since she's nicely successful, I sat back to read this book. I was a college grad a number of years ago, but I wanted to see what she would say. This book was written hecause of a college commencement speech she gave which so inspired people that they insisted she make of a book of it. My question is....why???? Shriver purports to give deep life advice to those graduating college. As far as I could see, this litte book would be more useful for those graduting middle school or perhaps high school. If I were just graduating college, this book would insult my intelligence. Shriver's book has no new insights, nothing you haven't heard before, platitudes that are so common they are trite, and then a whole lot about Shriver herself, including references to how pretty she is. The only marginally entertaining chapter, and the one that shows a hint of wit, is Shriver's chapter on her marriage.
Rating: 
Summary: What, is she completely deluded?
Review: She's a Kennedy. She's married to Arnold Schwarzenegger. How in the name of all things holy can she claim she ever "went out into the real world"? For further evidence of what a waste of paper this is, here is a sample of the wit and wisdom of the author, from an exchange in a yahoo chat session: normal_person_at_computer asks: Where do you see America in 50 years? maria_shriver_live: Good question. I think it depends on who leads it. And I think if that person is a kind and compassionate leader you'll see a different America than with someone who is not. (source: http://chat.yahoo.com/c/events/transcripts/authors/041700shriver.html) Gosh, thanks Maria! In any event, this book is chock full of depressing platitudes. At heart, it was a really cynical enterprise. It made me really sad.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for those just starting to enter the real world.
Review: This book is perfect at this time in my life. The ideas are all issues that a younger person begins to deal with after college. Finally entering the "real world". You discover you aren't alone. Life will happen as it is meant to. There is no need to run through it, jumping into kids and marriage. Take time to construct your life as you desire...most importantly take time to discover the real you!! So many of us get into situations now that we are not ready for. We do it because we think it's what society expects so we settle. Stop settling and begin to create the life you really want.
Rating:
Summary: Great Little Book, With Big Positive Thoughts!
Review: I really enjoyed this book and I am sharing it with my family! The book is a simple "Life will happen to You or You will happen to life" and your reactions determine your success. A great read for "middle-class" teenagers and young professionals.
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