Rating: 
Summary: Nothing ground breaking
Review: I received this book as a Christmas gift and it was okay. I didn't know a lot about Maria and I definitely have more respect for her after reading her book. Since Maria has a famous name I didn't realize she actually worked for what she has. She, like most everyone else, had to start at ground floor and work up. But, she was telling me things I already knew (although I've been in the workforce for some time). I do agree with the other reviewers that it would be a great gift for a college graduation but otherwise, I'd probably leave this little book alone.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, easy read and great gift for graduates.
Review: I bought this book last year in August and read it on the beach in about 1 hour. I have 3 sisters and we all read it while vacationing together with our families and then shared our thoughts. It is an easy read. She is direct, candid and funny! She shares some very personal stories throughout the book and is generous with her opinions too. I highly recommend it! Share it with some friends too. I wish I had read it years ago for the life inspirations and advice.
Rating: 
Summary: A great book!
Review: This book packs a lot. It is excellent for the college/high school counselor to share with graduating seniors. I am purchasing a copy to give to a junior college public relations person. Maria's concepts can be used by all of us....
Rating: 
Summary: Exasperating
Review: Yet another rich and privileged person who is sure that she got that way by her virtue and hard work. One thing for which Ms. Shriver hasn't given credit in her book is how much luck, yes, luck, and the family into which we're born factors into success in all areas of life. Do every single thing Maria Shriver suggests in this book and you, too, can be married to a studly movie star and work at your convenience as a news magazine anchor and have all the nannies money can buy so you can have tons of kids and still have all the time and money for yourself that you need. Try it. I dare you. Let me know how it goes.
Rating:
Summary: Not just for college graduates
Review: This is not just for college graduates. I have been a journalist for more than 20 years and it helped me through a very bad time! I had an awful week in my career and a long bath, herbal tea, and Maria brought things back into perspective for me, folllowed by an hour of prayer. She reminded me how important believing in yourself and having faith are! This is a wonderful work to give friends who write and to people who are seeking excellence. And, it can be read in a short afternoon!Elizabeth Laden Publisher and Editor/ Island Park News Author Mystic Warriors of the Yellowstone and Angels of the Unborn
Rating:
Summary: to laugh
Review: to laugh, ah yes I laugh alot at all the things that bother me, to laugh at alcoholism and wish it would go away, to laugh at cruelty and not know why the cruel, why the alcoholic, but I laugh and make jokes to deal with it, of course I might ad I cry a lot too but I can always get back to the laughter, I also pray a lot too for prayer is the key to the door where God here's my painful laughter and unerstands too that Jesus died for them as well as for me, but yet it still hurts, just like He hurt hanging on that tree, and then I cry again, but I know he cares for them so I wait in joyful hope of what is to come. I hope you continue to be successful in writing and in laughing. Pat Kemm.
Rating: 
Summary: Maria Shriver's Autobiography- not a self help book
Review: From all the media attention given to this book, I was under the impression that this was a self-help book. Many had talked about giving this book to high school or college graduates as a gift. Supposedly, it was to help them as they entered the real world. Let me first say that this is NOT a self help book, it is actually Maria Shriver's autobiogarphy. About one or two paragraphs of each chapter are devoted to explaining little lessons Maria has learned over the years. Some of this information is useful, most is not. Following those few paragraphs Maria drowns on page after page talking about her own life (what it was like having a news career, raising her children, being a Kennedy, etc.) This information is rather useless and boring. The "real world" Maria speaks of is not the real world you or I are familar with. Her life of wealth and oppurtunity is one few of us could imagine. The lessons she spoke of were also so obvious and common sense that it was insulting. For example, entire chapters were devoted to the following lessons: 1) Your Behavior Has Consequences 2)Be Willing To Fail 3)Marriage Is A Hell Of Hard Work and 4)Children Do Change Your Career. I mean, come on, who doesn't know these things? If you want to find useful self help information I suggest reading a professional's book, not Maria Shriver. You'll find nothing of value here. The sole purpose of this book was to pump up Maria Shriver's ego. Each chapter is just another way for Maria to say how great she is and how exciting her life is, not to provide anyone with useful information.
Rating:
Summary: A Charm of a Book
Review: It was with pleasure that I sat down to read Maria Shriver's new book. I was not disappointed. A charmingly written little book, she gave amusing examples of the life she's led, the frustrations she's encountered in her different fields of living, and refreshingly does not belabor her relationship to THAT family, interesting as they may be. She presents some good advice, backed by personal examples, that she feels she needs to share with others. If you're looking for a quick and easy read, a book that will have you smiling throughout, then this is the book for you. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Life is full of great lessons!
Review: In Maria Shriver's "Ten Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Went Out into the Real World," we see a magnificent witness to the strength of the human spirit. This story was based on a college graduation speech she almost did not give. Maria uses this fantastic "10 Things I Wish..." format to show us that life's obstacles are really challenges to see whether we allow ourselves to sink or swim. Her faithful decision to "swim;" learning from mistakes, pushing herself beyond her own limits and always keeping a positive outlook, was both encouraging and inspiring. This is a great book to give to a college student or someone fresh out of the university, because it shows them that we all have the potential in our lives to make the best of each situation. However, I would really recommend this book to anybody, especially if you need one of life's "pick-me-ups." Do not delay in buying this book. You will not regret its warmth and sincerity!
Rating:
Summary: It's often fun to look in the mirror now!
Review: When I read the title of the book "Ten Things I Wish I'd Known - Before I Went Out into the Real World" by Maria Shriver I thought - wow, that could be very interesting. And it was! Maria Shriver has such an analytic and humorous way of seeing and describing things and showing ways of handling different situations - by accepting what's happening and following your own feelings and intuition. For me one very important aspect was, that she describes every situation happening from her point of view without leaving out the challenges she faced as - a women who tries to handle her career, her relationship and later on also her kids. She made me often laugh by describing the perfectionism she has had trying to do always the perfect thing - and the results it had and the mixed feelings and failures it produced. The fact, that taking yourself not too seriously but to focus on what you are doing, was one aspect that shifted my point of view to begin to see my own life in a different light. The ways she describes how to handle situations and emotions by accepting what's happening and just going on with humour and trust showed me a way of laughing about myself sometimes, to love parts of my life I didn't accept before and to search for my own way - by accepting that "Superwomen Is Dead ..." how she names it - and feeling that your only chance is to go for your own life yourself - and to do what you want to do to become happy. Thanks for describing your development in such a wonderful and funny way - it really is often fun now for me to look in the mirror after having read this book! The feelings I had while reading this book remind me of another book which I would like to recommend to other readers. This book is called "Working On Yourself Doesn't Work" by Ariel & Shya Kane. It's thesis is that being in the moment and becoming aware of your own mechanical behaviours hold the possibility to transform your life. "Transformation" allows for different possibilities in your life that you thought were never possible before. To live a happy life and have success in all areas of your life. And their thesis works! They also made a big difference in my life and I would like to thank Maria Shriver and the Kanes for their wonderful works and the fun and happiness I have since I understand their ideas more and more- by seeing things with humour and acceptance - which makes a lot of things so much easier. Thanks!
|
