Book Description

Mary Kay may be the most successful woman entrepreneur in the world today, but she started her company as a single mother supporting three children—using her total life savings of $5,000. Following her priorities—God first, family second, and career third—and some sound, savvy business strategies, she managed to create a multibillion-dollar international company as well as a fulfilling life that reflects her values. Here she reveals to you how she did it, how thousands of other women have done it, and how you can do it, too!

Mary Kay accomplished all her goals without any special advantage—without trying to be a "superwoman." Instead, she rediscovered the timeless secrets of true success and happiness and applied them in her life. These are the secrets she now shares with you.
In Mary Kay: You Can Have It All, you will discover how to:

Become more confident personally and professionally
Deal with the male ego
Plan your work and work your plan
Do well by doing good
And much, much more!

Mary Kay will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book to the Mary Kay Ash Center for Cancer Immunotherapy Research at St. Paul Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

Mary Kay Ash is the founder and chairman emeritus of Mary Kay Cosmetics Inc., listed among Fortune magazine's Most Admired Corporations in America and boasting annual retail sales of more than $1.5 billion.

Also available in Paperback. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

AWESOME AND POWERFUL
I AM A MARY KAY CONSULTANT.I WAS A DEVOTED CUSTOMER FIRST.ONCE I WAS ON HER CUTTING EDGE COSMETICS, I DECIDED TO OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS. THIS BOOK GIVES YOU ALL OF THE TOOLS YOU NEED TO MAKE IT IN ANY BUSINESS. SHE GIVES YOU INSPIRATION AND MINDSET YOU NEED TO MAKE ALL OF YOUR DREAMS A REALITY. IF YOU BELIEVE IT, YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT. I AM DOING THAT RIGHT NOW.REDUCING MY DEBT, INCREASING MY SELF ESTEEM AND SELF WORTH.DEFINATELY A MUST READ

anonymous
Mary Kay Ash is truly an inspiration to all women. Not only does she succeed she lets you know that there will be obstacles to overcome, but you can and will succeed if you keep your priorities in order GOD,Family, and career and work hard. Nothing comes in life easy and through perservence and a dream and goal setting there is nothing you can't do. I LOVED IT!!!

Changed the way I think!
Thank you Mary Kay Ash for writing the words that I needed to read! Mary Kay's ideas may seem old fashioned to some, but I found them to be refreshing. It's nice to be reminded once in a while that God and Family should come before Career. This book is an inspiration to all women (not just those who like cosmetics and skin care) who want to be the best they can be at whatever it is that they do. The book will keep all women grounded!

clear and concise advice from a very successful woman!
It was a quick-read and I was able to absorb her advice very easily. Mary Kay is a wonderful inspiration to all women! I highly recommend this book, especially if you are a new Mary Kay beauty consultant.

I appraiciate the lifetime wisdom:God 1th,family 2&career3
I divorced one year ago, I hope to saviour,I work hard, and read a lot of books,try to find some spirit foods from them,now I get it from " you can have it all". I check the phone No.and find the "Mary Kay beauty centre" in Beijing. I become one of them and share the "Mary Kay" to my friends! ... Read more

Book Description

Finding Mañana is a vibrant, moving memoir of one family's life in Cuba and their wrenching departure. Mirta Ojito was born in Havana and raised there until the unprecedented events of the Mariel boatlift brought her to Miami, one teenager among more than a hundred thousand fellow refugees. Now a reporter for The New York Times, Ojito goes back to reckon with her past and to find the people who set this exodus in motion and brought her to her new home. She tells their stories and hers in superb and poignant detail-chronicling both individual lives and a major historical event.

Growing up, Ojito was eager to excel and fit in, but her parents'-and eventually her own-incomplete devotion to the revolution held her back. As a schoolgirl, she yearned to join Castro's Young Pioneers, but as a teenager in the 1970s, when she understood the darker side of the Cuban revolution and learned more about life in el norte from relatives living abroad, she began to wonder if she and her parents would be safer and happier elsewhere. By the time Castro announced that he was opening Cuba's borders for those who wanted to leave, she was ready to go; her parents were more than ready: They had been waiting for this opportunity since they married, twenty years before.

Finding Mañana gives us Ojito's own story, with all of the determination and intelligence-and the will to confront darkness-that carried her through the boatlift and made her a prizewinning journalist. Putting her reporting skills to work on the events closest to her heart, she finds the boatlift's key players twenty-five years later, from the exiles who negotiated with Castro to the Vietnam vet on whose boat, Mañana, she finally crossed the treacherous Florida Strait. Finding Mañana is the engrossing and enduring story of a family caught in the midst of the tumultuous politics of the twentieth century.

On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Mariel boatlift, a Pulitzer Prize winner's extraordinary memoir of her childhood in Cuba and her historic journey to America ... Read more

Reviews (11)

One of the Best in a Long Time, and We Read Them All!
This is definitely the best Cuban memoir book of the year!If you liked "Waiting for Snow in Havana," you'll also love Mirta and her great story.The writing in this book is excellent.Her chronicle of the exodus from Mariel was of particular interest to Jorge, as he shares some of the same memories.This book gets THREE THUMBS UP -- the ultimate Three Guys From Miami seal of approval!

Best to you Mirta!

Three Guys From Miami
(Authors of the book, "Three Guys From Miami Cook Cuban.")

Finding Manana: A Memoir of a Cuban Exodus
Finding Manana is a page turner I could hardly set down.I was a television reporter in Miami during the Mariel Boatlift.I was in Key West every week covering the plight of the refugees and the politics that created the situation.I followed the first group of Cubans to their tent city in Lima, Peru.I thought I knew this story inside out but Mirta Ojito has filled in many gaps.I read the book to my teenage children who were shocked and amazed by this piece of history.This book is a gem and should be read by anyone interested in Cuba, Cubans or just the remarkable story of a young girl.

A MUST READ FOR ALL
Mirta has been able to capture the essence of what is was like growing up in Communist Cuba, the painful episode of the Peruvian Embassy and subsequently, the Mariel boatlift. With no false pretenses, and in the most elocuent, objective and descriptive style, Mirta, ever the accurate reporter, is able to convey and transfer the facts alongside her feelings. Kudos to Ms.Ojito. This book is a must read for all generations of Cubans and for those interested in our own pursuit of Freedom. Carlos L. Eguaras Miami FL

Great Read
I read the final chapters of this book in flight from Miami to Havana. I could not put this book down. I absolutely loved every word. Thanks.

a rare success in historical writing
Mirta Ojito attempts a very unusual kind of history-writing and pulls it off to an uncommonly successful degree. Cuba under Castro is a difficult, contentious subject. Many journalists have lost their bearings and produced works that are superficial at best and self-absorbed at worst. Ojito herself took part in the Mariel exodus and treats her own experience in a manner that's dignified as well as personable. In addition, she analyzes the events and provides a genuine historical context. Ojito's dual approach to history avoids the pitfalls of first-person journalism and is replete with insights that will stand the test of time. ... Read more

Book Description

Drinking: A Love Story is journalist Caroline Knapp's powerful, New York Times-bestselling account of her twenty years as a functioning
alcoholic.Knapp drank through her years at Brown University, and through an award-winning career as a lifestyle editor and columnist.Publicly, she was a
dutiful daughter, attentive friend, and a sophisticated professional. Privately, she was drinking herself into oblivion, trapped in destructive love relationships--until a series of personal crises forced her to confront and, ultimately, break free of the "liquid armor" she'd used for most of her life. ... Read more

Reviews (97)

Best Alcoholism Book I've Read!
I've spent 26 of the past 28 years as a sober, happy, recovering alcoholic. This is the best-written account I've seen of how it feels, how we deceive ourselves and others, the struggle of secrecy and denial, the battle of recovery, etc.
I found it very much like a long, heart to heart conversation with Caroline, and was sad when she stopped talking to me. I wanted more!
I loved it so much I immediately ordered eight copies for friends and family, and planned to write Caroline to thank her. Sounds like she'd be a delightful dinner companion! Broke my heart to read tonight that she died of lung cancer last summer...alas, probably from all those cigarettes with the booze.
I find it fascinating that 95% of reviewers think it is very well-written, magnificent,compelling---and 5% think it is awful, repetitious, boring. Can't help wondering which are alcoholic!
If you or anyone in your family has a problem, or thinks they may have a problem with alcohol, this book may save your life.

In Memory of Carolyn Knapp
I was told by my mother earlier this week that Carolyn Knapp, author of 'Drinking: A Love Story", had died of cancer at age 42. I immedietly broke down a cried- which is hard for me to do. But Ms Knapp's autobiographical book about alcoholism was so important to me, my family and my therapist, in understanding and recognizing the thinking/feelings in a functional alcoholic. I had always wanted to read more from her, but don't see that she published another book....and, of course, I always had wanted the opportunity of either meeting her at a book signing, or writing to her, to thank her for her honesty and insight into this problem.....now it is to late to say this to her directly, and I grieve...but I also celebrate the life she had, and her courage and strength in overcoming this most maddening of problems. To anyone interested in a true and thoughtful book on functional alcoholics (of which there are many of us), or to anyone who is in a close relationship with such a person, this is THE book to read.

Praise from a recovering alcoholic male
I read this book initially as a practicing alcoholic in denial, and then in early recovery. I loved the book the first time recognizing the honesty and courage. The author's style was very pleasing. Now, I appreciate the honesty, courage, and accuracy. I go to A.A. meetings every day, and A.A. is my family now. I wondered, "What could this book offer that I wasn't already getting?" The fact is that this book offered wisdom I hadn't heard before, such as, in decision making, how to tell the difference between the alcoholic alternative and the better choice. I re-read this two days ago, and used it today. I won't spill the beans. You'll have to read the book to learn.

In A.A., sponsors are always the same sex as the sponsee. I wondered what insight I could get from a female alcoholic. I learned tht this is not an issue. I strongly recommend this book to everyone.

Alcoholism and Anorexia AreTwo Different Problems
My guess is this woman wanted to write a book about her alcoholism. But her publisher said (just as mine did when I tried to write a memoir about my heroin addiction) "No, no, no. People do not buy books about women who have drug or alcohol problems. It is not considered masochistic or self-effacing enough. Everyone knows drunks and junkies like to have fun, and people only like reading about women when they torture themselves." So Caroline Knapp decided to compromise--discuss the tiresome travails of anorexia ("It's about control!" "I looked at all the women, particularly this one 120 pound, 5 foot 7 woman, and thought about how fat she was.", etc. etc.) and the far more interesting tale of her alcoholism. In my own research (both academic and personal; including many, many talks with fellow female addicts), we have a WAY lower rate of eating disorders than the non-addict female population. Part of what makes addiction such a tough snare to crawl out of is that the addict likes to feel good even as her life is falling down in the process. So she drinks or does heroin to avoid DTs or withdrawal. If she was that concerned with how much she melds with society's image of the perfect female (with which anorexics are obsessed), she WOULD NOT drink or drug, because using one's body for pleasure, not pain, is considered a male not a female activity in our society. Therefore, I am left only with two options: Is Knapp a phony drunk or yet another female addict who was rendered invisible by a society that refuses to admit that women love escaping into the world of drink and drugs as much as men?

This book was right on the mark!!
I myself have had a drinking problem in the past and when I was trying to sober up I bought this book and let me tell you, I thought I was reading my life. I am just glad that she had the guts to come out in public and tell her story. I would have loved to have met her. It's a shame she died before her time was up. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When reality got "too dense" for 18-year-old Susanna Kaysen, she was hospitalized. It was 1967, and reality was too dense for many people.But few who are labeled mad and locked up for refusing to stick to an agreed-upon reality possess Kaysen's lucidity in sorting out a maelstrom of contrary perceptions. Her observations about hospital life are deftly rendered; often darkly funny. Her clarity about the complex province of brain and mind, of neuro-chemical activity and something more, make this book of brief essays an exquisite challenge to conventional thinking about what is normal and what is deviant. ... Read more

Reviews (366)

Girl, Interrupted
Susanna Kaysen, the main character and author of this book, simply went for a doctor's appointment one day and the doctor, not letting her know what was going on, shoved her in a taxi and sent her to Mclean Hosptial, where her stay was about 2 years. Through that year, she experienced many new friends,yet problems, but also discovered new paths and a new way of life which led her to a world of seeing the real Susanna. Susanna entered the mental hospital still having no idea why she was there, but what she soon came to realize was that she was the most normal one out of all that were staying there. The hospital was a very strict facility with locked everything. There was no leaving the hospital except for when the nurse would take 6 lucky patients to get ice cream, but that was hardly ever. Nurses checked on you every 10, 20, or 30 minutes, depending on your behavior and diagnosis. Susanna also had a therapist, with whom she met weekly and told him about her problems and thoughts about everything. Susanna's diagnosis was something having to do with depression, and even though she was in an environment full of friends like Georgina, Lisa, and Cynthia, she felt out of place because they all had seriuos problems and she didn't. All the other characters made the book so lively and humorous, even though it was talking about a serious issue. Susanna was a big thinker and this book showed great analyzation of her every thought. It was so greatly analyzed that it not only taught her something, but everyone reading the book. What happens at the end of the book is for you to find out. Don't miss reading Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen. It shows such good -real experiences and how some people just don't have life so easy as others and how they deal with it so well.

Deceptively simple
I saw the movie version of "Girl Interrupted" when it came out last winter in spite of the mostly negative reviews it received. I loved it, mainly because it highlighted how women can support each other through the toughest of circumstances. I then bought and read the book. The differences between the two are startling: the setting and most of the characters are the same, but the tone is quite different.

The book is mesmerizing from its first paragraph. Susanna Kaysen uses deceptively simple language to describe her experiences and the people she knew during her 18 months stay at McLean's mental hospital. We slowly come to understand the lack of humanity showed to these girls, and the confused world they came from. Ms Kaysen's spare, poetic prose is interspersed with copies of actual hospital records written at the time she was a patient. The records appear as confused as the patients they detail. They seem to detail Susanna's social interactions and levels of ease with others, as if this alone depicts signs of strong mental health. Some of them appear incomplete and neglected. One is left to wonder what exactly the professionals at this hospital were looking for: mental health or acceptable female behavior?

The book is brief, and leaves the reader with more questions than answers. How have we changed in the way we view certain types of female behavior? How have we changed in the way we view those suffering from mental illnesses? Do patients need to be cured or does the world need to be cured?

This is a remarkable book. It manages to raise awareness without giving in to self-pity. I would recommend it to anyone.

IF YOU'VE SEEN THE MOVIE YOU SHOULD READ THIS!!
I read the book after I'd seen the movie and was disappointed in the movie. It left a lot of things out, added some stuff and really obscured the timeline.
The book however was captivating, I really had a hard time putting it down, and it's a very easy read. I enjoyed delving more into Susannna's mind learing what she was thinking during certain events in her life. It also puts a light onto early psychological techniques, which thank God have improved. One of my favorite parts in the book is were she starts to see her hand withouth bones, something that was mentioned shortly in the movie. The characters are thoroughtly mentioned in the book and even some you didn't seen in the movie, the funny thing is that Lisa the Angelina Joeli character didn't seem to play as big of a role in Susanna's life there. The movie seemed to focus maybe too much on the character since she was the more practical Hollywood mold, while the book of course is focused on Susanna.
Anyway, it was a fun book to read and an easy one too, if you liked the movie you should read the book to learn more about what really happened to Susanna during her stay at the hospital.

Understanding a Mental Illness
Right from the beginning of Girl, Interrupted the author introduces herself as an eighteen-year-old named Susanna Kaysen. She encounters a session with a psychiatrist she's never met or spoken to before in her life. The beginning of the book is thrilling and exciting because you're not exactly sure where you're going to end up. Susanna is then sent away in a taxi, which takes her to McLean Hospital. It becomes very real and clear about what is going on if you've had similar experiences in life.

She stays in a ward for teenage girls in a psychiatric hospital for the next two years of her life. By this point you really feel like you're right there with the writer. It all becomes very real and a little hard to read. This memoir of Kaysen includes horrible things that go on in the ward and at the same time she gives the readers a very clear description about the other patients in there. In the end the book brings you to a conclusion between mental illness and recovery. This book really showed me that life isn't as bad as I perceived it. I learned that when you think you've got it bad, you might not really know what you've got coming for you-because as you get older the real world can sometimes catch up with you.

I would recommend this book to anyone that is struggling with a friend or family member that has a mental illness. It helps you to understand what pain they're going through and why they say and think the way they do. This was by far one of my favorite books I've read this year and at the same time it was my biggest life saver.

Girl, Interrupted Book Review
This book gives a truthful look into the mind of a disturbed young woman who finds herself in a mental hospital due to a struggle with her inner emotions. Ms. Kaysen makes no effort to sugarcoat the conditions or situations involving her and the other patients at the hospital. Everything she writes is honest and extremely vivid. One account in which we see a frightening and true depiction of a patient's situation is in the chapter entitled, "Calais Is Engraved In My Heart." After a girl named Alice Calais has a severe mental breakdown she is sent to maximum security. The other girls go to visit her, and what they find leaves the reader with an unsettling vision of the lives of these young women. Kaysen makes no excuses for herself, or anyone else, she simply tells her story the way it happened. Another aspect of Ms. Kaysen's writing, that separates her from the rest, is her ability to covey abstract thoughts and theories in a very personal way. Using unique metaphors, symbols, and her own experiences, she is able to address such topics as the inner Id, the cause and effect of her condition, and the thin line that divides normality from insanity. In a place that seems so dark and unhappy Kaysen manages to insert light and humor. One of Kaysen's fellow patients, Lisa, while extremely disturbed, is also very witty and sharp. Kaysen herself also has a very humorous side. A weaker point of the novel is that in some cases Kaysen's writing becomes so internal that it seems scattered and is difficult to follow. Another point that may turn readers away is the extremely graphic and unapologetic accounts of the effects of illness in the hospital. However, this book was an informative, creative, and groundbreaking piece of literature that is certainly worth reading. ... Read more

Book Description

A gripping memoir that reads like a political thriller--the story of Malika Oufkir's turbulent and remarkable life. Born in 1953, Malika Oufkir was the eldest daughter of General Oufkir, the King of Morocco's closest aide. Adopted by the king at the age of five, Malika spent most of her childhood and adolescence in the seclusion of the court harem, one of the most eligible heiresses in the kingdom, surrounded by luxury and extraordinary privilege.

Then, on August 16, 1972, her father was arrested and executed after an attempt to assassinate the king. Malika, her five younger brothers and sisters. and her mother were immediately imprisoned in a desert penal colony. After fifteen years, the last ten of which they spent locked up in solitary cells, the Oufkir children managed to dig a tunnel with their bare hands and make an audacious escape. Recaptured after five days, Malika was finally able to leave Morocco and begin a new life in exile in 1996.

A heartrending account in the face of extreme deprivation and the courage with which one family faced its fate, Stolen Lives is an unforgettable story of one woman's journey to freedom. ... Read more

Reviews (197)

five stars for story and three stars for style
Malika Oufkir tells us the powerful and tragic story of her life in the book Stolen Lives. She begins the story describing her life as a princess after being adopted by the king of Morocco. She lived an almost unreal life of luxury while at court. The opulence Malika describes is comparable to the time of Marie Antoinette. From the resplendent court, her life is irrevocably altered when her father fails in an assassination attempt and her entire family is placed in prison including her three year old brother.

The family's story is extraordinary. Their triumph of spirit is remarkable considering the duration and horrors which they suffered. We see the importance of unity and belief of oneself and each other. We see incredible love and sacrifice. But we also see how imprisonment can degrade the human spirit and affect the psyche.

We learn in the preface of the book, how Malika came to hire Michele Fitoussi as the co-author of her book. Throughout the book, the reader cannot help but wonder why. It is a shame that such an interesting and compelling story was so poorly written. The author fails terribly in her attempt to describe herself as a sympathetic person prior to her imprisonment. The continual jumping back and forth in time is confusing and annoying to a reader. I also wondered if perhaps the translation was poor, because of the use of certain words and general lack of eloquence from a person who entertained her family with her stories in their darkest hour.

Another book which may interest readers who liked and appreciated Stolen Lives is In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. Readers who appreciate stories about the triumph of the human spirit will enjoy Stolen Lives.

Amazing story that deserves a better telling.
"Stolen Lives" needs to be evaluated on two different levels - the moving tale of a family imprisoned under the worst conditions for 20 years and the way this amazing story has been memorialized by Malika Oufkir and Michele Fitoussi. The subject is engrossing and important, but the book itself is not well-written. This accounts for the disparity in ratings that the book has received.

It is fascinating to read about Malika'a unique and frequently heartbreaking life. The eldest daughter of a Morococcan general, she was taken from her family and adopted by the King. Western readers will find the tales of her life in the royal household surprising and enlightening. Not only was the lifestyle outrageously lavish, it was also consisted of customs and traditions that are completely different from our own. Malika was allowed to return to her own family as a young teenager. She only had a few years to get to know her father and enjoy life outside the confines of the palace. Her father before General Oufkir was implicated in a coup attempt against the King and was assassinated. The rest of the family - Malika, her mother, her oldest brother, three young sisters and three year old baby brother were summarily imprisoned. For twenty years they lived in increasingly brutal and inhumane conditions, persecuted by the King for their father's crimes and forgotten by the world. Thanks to their uncommon courage and ingenuity, the family was able to survive and eventually escape. It's not easy to read about many of the horrors and indignities that were heaped upon the Oufkirs, but it's important that the world know about their story.

Unfortunately, the book is not worthy of this amazing story. It was written by Malika with the assistance of Michele Fitoussi. The first problem is that the book does not give sufficient background about either the history of Morrocco or General Oufkir's powerful role as one of the King's chief aides. Those unfamiliar with Moroccan history will frequently find themself at a loss for context. Second, given that this is Malika's first person account, it necessarily is a very one-sided version of history. Not that I doubt her version of events - I just would have preferred a more complete and well-researched book that included not only Malika's story but also those of her siblings. Malika frequently portrays herself as the backbone of the family, the strongest member who kept them all from succumbing to madness. This very likely is true, but it would have a much greater impact coming from someone else. Finally, the writing style is very repetitive and immature. While Michele Fitoussi is very sympathetic to Malika's story and deserves much credit for persuading her to tell her story, I have no doubt that a more objective and skilled writer would have improved the quality of the book immensely. Hopefully a serious scholar will undertake a complete telling of the Oufkir's story. I, for one, will be anxious to read it.

Shallow and Poorly Written
After living off and on in Morocco for 7 years in the 90's I'd never actually heard of the Oufkirs but I did hear much of the supposed royal excess. I was always taken the stories with a grain of salt. To see them recounted on the pages of this book was interesting to say the least.

It's too bad that this is so poorly written because the story definitely deserves to be told....please someone tell it with a bit more depth.

**Unforgettable**
Some of you may have seen this woman on Oprah a few years back telling of her ordeal. I put off reading this book & had come to the conclusion that I didn't want to read a depressing nightmare of being locked in a remote prison for decades. Then along came a friend of a friend, who encouraged me to read it, that I "needed" to read it.
This book, to me, was life-changing. As I recognize how spoiled us Americans truly are, nothing could've prepared me for this family's struggles.
Malika & her family displayed such amazing gifts of courage & strength that I was blown away. In awe and humbled. Their "tale" was almost just that: a tale. I simply cannot fathom the conditions that these poor people survived in.
As I was continuously mesmerized by their strength during their imprisonment, I was later caught in Malika's greatest feat of all: forgiveness. This woman showed me what a powerful thing it truly is. She forgave with such grace & eloquence that I was just speechless. I speak mainly of her due to the fact that she was "adopted" by the royal family as a child & later cast out in a most horrifying way. As us readers were not given as much detail of her siblings (especially after their release), I can make no assumptions for them. Nevertheless, this family as a whole is an unwavering symbol of love, strength, & survival.
I hope that they are doing well now & thank each one of them for their story.
I hope that I never forget it, for it is a daily reminder of what I have in this life with my freedom & my family.

Amazing Story of the Human Spirit!
I have not done any research to verify if the information in this book is accurate or not. However, it was an excellent read and I highly recommend it! It provided an extraordinary glimpse into the world of human rights abuses and leaves the reader with a deep appreciation for the simple joys that we take for granted.

Malika Oufkir was a teenager in the prime of her life when she was put into horrible prison conditions for twenty years with her family. Her family was being punished for the political actions of her father.

Malika is an excellent story teller and has lives on the inside of the royal family in Morocco so it is very interesting to hear details of her upbringing.

It is extraordinary to hear of the atrocious jail conditions inflicted on this family that was used to such a lavish existence. If you have any interest in human rights or the politics of Morocco then you will be fascinated by this read! ... Read more

Amazon.com

This may well be some of the best airplane reading ever. Part travel guide, part relationship primer, Around the World in 80 Dates mixes wry dating realities with preposterously romantic settings and a slightly more than backpacker budget. Author Jennifer Cox--an experienced travel journalist--gets friends around the world to act as matchmaker for an 80-date spree, and the result is, not surprisingly, highly entertaining.

As with dates everywhere, there are good (hot Swedish guy with a floating sauna), bad (hungover kid fresh from a Metallica concert), hysterically embarrassing (a shared pedicure turning into a poorly translated wart removal ordeal) and amazing (Mr. Soul Mate, Date No. 55). Almost every man goes out of his way to create sort of an ideal date--mostly involving Champagne and boats--and Cox's smirky humor and sincere desire to meet the man of her dreams combine for a sweetly honest--and honestly sweet--exploration of romance.

The romance kicks into high gear with No. 55, which happens over several days at Burning Man. She instantly feels he's "the One," but troops through toward the finish line, even daring to include No. 55 on a later date with No. 63. They sneak time together on a few continents, and it's with him that the serious romance happens (and their first date had nothing to do with either Champagne or boats). A life lesson or two are uncovered amidst the jet lag, and Cox hands those out with hard-earned wisdom that many women will recognize from their own lives. As for whether Mr. Soul Mate really turns out to be "the One," just think of it as a good mystery and don't peek--sometimes the journey is half the fun. --Jill Lightner

Tips andTricks from Jennifer Cox

"Traveling solo gives you a sense of achievement." ~Jennifer Cox

Traveling Happy
"Traveling solo is brilliant," says Jennifer Cox, a seasoned travel writer and head of PR for Lonely Planet before she set out on her extraordinary journey to find Mr. Right--a quest she recounts in the delightfully witty and insightful Around the World in 80 Dates.

If the idea of traveling companion-free has been tempting you for a while, but apprehension of the unknown, or even the fear of looking like a "loser," has been holding you back, Ms. Cox has some advice that should help get you on your way, safe, happy, and confident.

"Trust your instincts." ~Jennifer Cox

Finding the One
"Take a look in the mirror. Like what you see? Good, then you’re in the right mood for dating." Finding your soul mate takes more than sheer luck or extravagant settings. It's about being in the right state of mind, suggests Jennifer Cox, who, after hitting four continents in six months in search of Mr. Right, came back with a thing or two, or ten, to share with men and women who are looking for that special someone.

From defining your "dating motto" to avoiding "date fatigue," find out how to keep your spirits high even after a date brought you low, and, most important, remember that "the One" is out there. "Don't give up. And don't settle for less than Mr. [or Mrs.] Right."
... Read more

Reviews (6)

From Los Angeles to Sweden to New Zealand...
I love reading books about traveling and dating - especially when based on a true story.I knew this book fit into both categories and was based on the author's non-fictional account of how she found her true love.

"Around the World in 80 Dates" starts off in the UK where Jennifer is fresh from her latest heartbreak, and takes the reader from beginning to end.You will learn how she conceived of her "Around the World in 80 Dates" idea;You will be taken vicariously through each of her sometimes odd but often interesting dates; You'll see how she ends up meeting "the one"; and much more.

There were definitely some dates that stood out in the book: the handsome, overly confident Frank in Holland; William from Sweden who ended up expecting something from the date that Jennifer wasn't prepared to give him; the good-looking and enigmatic Olivier from France who didn't give Jennifer something she wanted; Davide, who was already happily devoted to a dead woman; Garry from Seattle who she meets at the Burning Man Festival in the hot deserts of Nevada; and many more.Through it all Jennifer has to juggle jet lag, constant travel, coordinating future dates, and keeping in touch with the friends and family who want to know what is going on.

"Around the World in 80 Dates" was an engaging and fast-moving readthat I really enjoyed up until the part where Jennifer seems to find her true love.From there, the story line went sort of downhill. Although she remains determined to carry out her "80 dates" plan, she isn't as enthusiastic, and all she can think about is the man she's fallen in love with.(Not that I could blame her!)But the last fourth of the book was very slow-going and I had to force myself to finish it.

The best thing about this book is getting to go along with Jennifer on her many dates in all kinds of exotic places - from Los Angeles to Sweden to Asia - and many places in between.

Overall, I would recommend this novel to travel and chick lit fans, and anyone who is curious what it is like going on a bunch of first dates.I certainly hope there is more non-fiction chick lit to come from Downtown Press!

Not really 80 Dates
It wasn't really 80 dates, Ms. Cox counts Jim Morrison as one and speed dates through 20 in a speed dating event.It's an interesting concept, to try and go all around the world looking for a soul mate and something a lot of single women probably dream of doing.In the end though, the age old adage comes true, you "find" your soul mate without even trying.
The writing is fun in some parts, poignant in others and forgettable when Ms. Cox finally finds "The One".There is an interesting conundrum when she runs into someone who may be "The Other Soul Mate" but she doesn't let that storyline develop.Was she afraid to put "The One" through "The Test"?
All in all, a quick, light read but you find yourself wishing for some more tension, after all, that's what real life (and love) is all about

Fun! Fun! Fun!
Live a fabulous live vicariously through 80 Dates Jen as she does all the legwork to find a soulmate.Keep one copy under your pillow, another in the trunk of your car (for passing time between appointments/auditions/stalkings), one on the tank of the toilet and a fourth in your desk at work.

Delightful
I couldn't put it down.Jennifer Cox spun a terrific story about what she was really looking for--and the method she undertook to find it.She pulled me so deeply into her journey that I was unbelievably discouraged during the low points--and rooting for her every step of the way.
I admired her bravery--and honesty.About what she really was feeling through all of this--about herself, about men and about being willing to make sacrifices for what you really want.

What a smart, entertaining read!
I loved this book the moment I read it and have been recommending it to everyone I know since then!!Jennifer's adventure around the world is captivating, her determination to find the right guy admirable, and her dating adventures exciting to follow.I really enjoyed her witty tone and thought she was incredibly brave to take the plunge and put herself out there! 80 times, no less!

On the more practical side, I found her tips for how to survive dating fatigue and how to build a relationship resumé (among other things) very helpful.So if you like to travel or meet new people or have ever thought you're alone in your search for the right partner, this is the book to read! ... Read more

Reviews (266)

This book practically saved my life.
Reading Wurtzel's book is like having a friend's shoulder to cry on. ...More therapeutic than psychotherapy, and a helluva lot cheaper. Thank you, Elizabeth Wurtzel, for so eloquently and wittily putting this oft-misunderstood pain in such sharply written focus. Depression can be unimaginably debilitating, yet Wurtzel still lets us laugh a bit, at her own expense - and that sure cuts through a lot of the loneliness and despair that permeates the life of a Depression sufferer. Just knowing that someone else is able to help you "vocalize" the agony is a comfort, and Wurtzel speaks for many of us in this brutally honest memoir. If you suffer from Depression and are having difficulty explaining its power over your life to your loved ones, make them read this book. "Here! THIS is my pain." Insightful, revealing, funny, tragic and, most of all, a godsend to folks like me. I'm gonna give Wurtzel a big hug if I ever meet her. Apparently actress Christina Ricci has optioned the film rights to this book and plans to make a movie from it. But don't wait for the movie. Buy the book for yourself or for someone who needs to learn about how deadly Depression can be.

necessary read for those afflicted
Unless you are afflicted with depression or know somebody afflicted with depression, you may see Wurtzel as a whining young woman. After reading some of these reviews, that is the vibe I get. What Wurtzel does is gives you the view of a depressed individual through the eyes of a depressed individual, not through the empirical eyes of some therapist, nor a third person account. What Wurtzel writes is real, what one does under depression may not be rational, nor does it always make sense, but for whatever reason they happen. Maybe if I, or Wurtzel did not have such conditions then we would be seen as "normal" people that do not "whine," or "complain," or handle things ratitionally. After reading this book, it made me feel better to know that depression is a real thing, and that here was another young woman dealing with it too. Perhaps Wurtzel did not act lady-like enough (e.g. when she celebrates her deflowering) for those who criticize her account. If you are diagnosed with any type of depression, bipolar disorder, or are involved with anyone, or friends of anyone with such disorders, please read this book. It will give you a greater insight into what is going on through their head. Maybe you and your relationships will benefit from it.

Somewhat Been There; Somewhat Done That
No one, not even for a single instant, can look out at the world through the eyes of someone else's mind. Yet, Wurtzel tries to bring us into hers and show us what it's like to view the world from a mind suffering from hereditary (probably manic-)depression. And since she is trying to show us what it's like INSIDE her mind, is it any wonder that her mostly stream-of-consciousness narrative tends to be self-centered? Who of us in the privacy of our minds is NOT self-centered? After all, we are all fated to be only ourselves 24/7 for our entire lives. And constantly suffering, as Wurtzel does from severe bouts of depression, interspersed with irrational frenzies, is it any wonder that Wurtzel does NOT seem to notice the affects her behavior is having on those close to her, such as her mother? (Yet Wurtzel still dedicates her book, "For my mom, lovingly.")

The hardcover edition of this book came out in 1995. Some of us love it; some of us hate it; some of us don't know what to make of it. But at 269 reader reviews and still counting on this Web page alone, it looks like this book is going to keep disturbing us for quite some time in the future -- particularly now that it's been made into a movie.

I understand approximately ten percent of us suffer from some form of chronic depression, including me -- not to anywhere near the extent Wurtzel does, but enough to understand where she's coming from. Why doesn't she act like a "normal" person? Because she can't understand the mind of a "normal" person anymore than a "normal" person can understand hers. If she could change her mind to that of a "normal" person, don't you think she would? Indeed, isn't that her motive for taking Prozac in the first place?

And since we're dealing with a person's mind here, not a novel, I think it is precisely this inability for any of us to truly be able to occupy another person's mind that is leading to all the controversy. No, this read is not particularly fun, but then neither is being a manic-depressive. Yes, it's often repetitive and at times boring, but so is life. And she does try to give us a bit of humor mixed in with all her problems

Although I recommend this book for everyone due to the insights it can give on how some of us look out at the world, I particularly recommend it for those gnormalh people, such as Wurtzelfs mother, who find themselves either having to bring up, or married to, or have some other such close relationship to someone suffering from depression. Note that the hardest part of her entire day is simply getting out of bed. Note how her mind is stuck in overdrive and almost out of control. Note that while she is just barely functional, she wishes at times she could cross over the line into sheer insanity, be institutionalized, and be done with it. Note the sudden flashes of fear for no reason. And note the state of her mind when she tries to gescapeh from all her problems (from herself, really) by suddenly flying off to a London she has never been to -- and discovers immediately, of course, that shefs just put herself in an even worse situation. Yeah, I can understand where all this is coming from; and a gnormalh person after reading this book will at least gain a better idea.

Ironically, my only disappointment about this book is its misleading title. It is NOT about Prozac since she doesnft start taking it until the end of the main book. It IS about being gYoung and Depressed in Americah. But I had hoped to find out more about this supposed wonder drug and what it feels like to be on it. Interestingly, though, in the Epilogue written some eight years later, she writes that while the Prozac did seems to help her sudden mood swings, after several years on it, her old problems started creeping up on her again. Drugs can help people like her, but not cure them. She is stuck with being herself for the rest of her life. Just like the rest of us. For better or for worse.

SO many things wrong; where should I start?
I had many problems with this book. First of all, true depression affects every aspect of your life. It isn't something that you can conveniently set aside when you have to work hard enough to get into Harvard. It's something that ruins your productivity to the point where you couldn't possibly dream of getting into Harvard. Her academic success made me very suspicious about the seriousness of her mental ailments. Second, what's with the now cliche "woke up this morning afraid I was gonna live" line? Doesn't anyone else realize how much of an exaggeration that is based solely on the fact that she continued to live anyway? If her fear of living was as overtaking as she claims it was, she would have killed herself (or at least tried). This brings me to another issue -- her supposed "suicide attempt" that was clearly nothing but a childish ploy for attention. It reminded me of the time when I swallowed 80 sleeping pills at age thirteen to try and scare my parents, er, excuse me, "kill myself," except that Wurtzel was an adult when she did it. Unlike me, she doesn't even have the "I was an idiot thirteen year old" excuse.

Repeated misuse of semicolons aside, my biggest problem with her writing itself was her overuse of metaphors. Rather than just writing "I pushed myself out of bed," she writes "I pushed myself out of bed like a tape ejecting from a player." Sure, on its own it doesn't sound very annoying, but imagine that preceded by five other equally unnecessary metaphors...on the same page. Aren't metaphors supposed to be use to help explain something that isn't easy to understand? Does Wurtzel really think we need help understanding "I pushed myself out of bed"? To me, that many useless metaphors implies that the reader is stupid. Then again, she could have just been doing it to take up space, since the repetitiveness of her writing shows that she really never had much to say and could have condensed the whole thing into 50 pages.

In her after word, Wurtzel responds to people telling her they found the book angering to read by saying "good," because forcing them to feel the frustration felt by those who deal with depressives was "what [she] set out to do." I'd buy that statement if she hadn't said shortly before it that she doesn't really know why she wrote the book. Which one is it, Lizzie? Did you start writing with a goal in mind, or did you just want to put your dramatic life on display for everyone to ooh and aah over? Methinks it's the latter, and that the former is just a way to get out of admitting that some find her book angering or annoying not because they're supposed to, but because from some people's perspective, the book and the author both just suck.

One final thing -- What's with people calling the book "funny"? I didn't laugh once throughout the entire thing. I don't think I could even find something that was MEANT to be funny. At least I borrowed this book from a friend rather than wasting money on it.

A new favorite
I thought this book was beautiful and touching and have no doubt that I will pick it up and read it again sometime very soon. However, I am not surprised that many readers found this book to be somewhat tedious or immature, or that they had difficulty identifying with the author.

As someone who has been through depression, I related to this book on so many levels. The feelings expressed and the thought processes were so familiar that I often found myself thinking about things in my life that I had tried to desperately to forget. I am someone from the same area, someone who has been to the same hospitals, someone who has felt and done the same types of things. Now, I am about to graduate from law school and am excited about the future. My journey to this point has been long and arduous, as I am sure the author's will continue to be.

For readers who have never felt the way the author has felt, I can understand their lack of ability to relate. However, to call what she is feeling immature or whiney is a close-minded view that I think you all should be somewhat ashamed of. Yes, many of these events happened when the author was young, respectively, but I think that it takes a certain amount of age and experience to understand why you feel the way you feel and to put it into proper perspective. To the readers who did not enjoy the book: I think you need to wake up and understand the realities of the world. Not understanding this book or enjoying it shows me that you still cannot grasp the idea that someone can be depressed, for a long time, for no particlar reason. Shame on you.

This book was a very quick read, with beautiful language. The author articulates feelings that so many of us have felt but been unable to express. Prozac Nation is definitely one of my new favorite books. ... Read more

Amazon.com

With three steamy books by the women in Elvis's life already published (1997's Elvis: In theTwilight of Memory by June Juanico; Priscilla Beaulieu Presley's 1991 tell-all, Elvis and Me;and Joyce Bova's Don't Ask Forever: My Love Affair with Elvis), can the world absorb another?Suzanne Finstad, author of Child Bride: The Untold Story of Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, certainlyhopes so.

With as many darkly intriguing details as the chambers of Graceland, Finstad--journalist, lawyer, andauthor of two true-crime books--defends her own theories on the complexity and grit of the former Mrs.Presley. Why did she conspire with her mother to keep her paternity a secret? How old was she when shetook up with the King? Suzanne Finstad treats us to her own exhaustively researched version of the facts. ... Read more

Reviews (38)

The Price of Fame
I don't usually read this kind of book - (the last biography I read before this was of Darwin), but for many of my generation Elvis came on the scene as we were entering pubescence, and represented the sentiments we felt in his songs. There was something remarkable about him - the "good ole boy" honesty as it seemed to us. His downfall and death shook many old fans who had left him behind for a time. Now, we revisit the wonder of who he was, for better and for worse - the tragedy of his short life. This book brings the reader to see Elvis through this significant aspect of his life. Without Elvis, there would not have been a Priscilla Presley. I think the author tried to present a fair perspective, and took a journalistic approach to the writing her book. What is the truth? - who can say - in some aspects it is a matter of perspective, and in others, the guy Currie who introduced her to Elvis, for example, simply bad bad manners because there is a certain aspect of privacy that people deserve of intimate relationships. Who could blame Priscilla for suing about that aspect of the book. It was a very very ugly part of the book. The book certainly has drawn reaction. One thinks - too bad Elvis didn't marry Ann Margret .... Not in any bad vibes of Priscilla, because she is some smart lady, and I think did well by any measure for Lisa, but because Ann Margret is some classy lady and she stood by her man Roger Smith, through sickness and good times, as he did for her. Wishful thinking.. Elvis' fame gave him a tremendous power, and that power prevented anyone from saving him. Who could blame Priscilla for leaving him? Child Bride is a good read through - once, for those who have a deep feeling of who Elvis was. He was a unique man. He died too young. His music lives on.. cliche, but oh, so true...

bad
This book is tabloid fodder. Don't read it. It contradicts itself and is terrible all the way around.

Jealous author seeks fame
Where do I begin? I began reading this book with an open mind, having heard good and bad things about it. It is bad. Ms. Finstad comes off as a very jealous woman. She sounds like a 12 year old still mad that she didn't marry Elvis. If you are a fan of either Elvis or Priscilla, don't read this book. If I described this book in one word it would be contradictory. Ms. Finstad constantly refers to the "web of lies" that Priscilla has spun. I find it hard to believe that if the web truly exists, why would she be the first to discover it? Wouldn't some one else have uncoverd it years before? There are countless contradictory ideas in this book. She describes how Priscilla was a master of masking her true emotions then a few pages later she says that once Elvis left Germany Priscilla acted happy go lucky so that meant that Priscilla didn't love Elvis. Couldn't she be masking her true emotions so people didn't think that she was deeply sad? That is just one example. I also don't respect the opinions of her sources. All of whom have reason to be jealous of Priscilla. I find it hard to believe that someone you knew for a year when you were 12 can be a judge of your true character. Ms. Finstad can't even get simple things right. She said Elvis was 11 years older when he was 10. She said they married 7 years after meeting when it was 8. Ms. Finstad needs to understand adoption as well. Priscilla was adopted by her step-father so her name was legally chnaged to Beaulieu but Ms. Finstad tries to say that Priscilla was denying her past by not going by Wagner. There are several sources from the book that say how Priscilla never loved Elvis but these same people go onto TV interviews and say they loved eachother but just couldn't make it work. Elvis was not stupid. He would have known if she didn't love him. The virginity issue is always a hot topic. I'll just say that Elvis thought she was a virgin before and after they got married so I'll leave it at that. I can't even remember every little bit of contradiction in the book right now but rest assured that it is filled with it. Don't waste your money.

Child Bride - The truthful side
I had originally read Priscilla Presleys, "Elvis and Me", and to be honest, I couldnt help but feel that Priscilla had glossed over her story with Elvis. There didnt seem to be any real emotion portrayed throughout the book, just a glossy, storytale fashion that the myth of her and elvis has evolved from. I truly felt that Priscilla was very good at painting the most perfect, sweet image of herself, yet she didnt open up and reveal any raw, honest regrets that she also may have made in the relationship. I admit, I was left throughout the book with many questions for various situations/events in her life with Elvis.So, it came as a surprise when a friend of mine mentioned that there was a book that may answer those doubts that I had.
Suzanne Finstad's account seems to be 100% researched before any information was put into this book and I truly feel that Priscilla Presley was the victim of an overly ambitious mother and father. This book (unbelievably), seemed to answer all those doubts and questions that I had in my head from the first book. The evidence is there to support that Priscilla made the "rape" story up in order to detract what had went on between herself and Curry..after all lets face it, it would take quite an "advanced 14 year old" to be able to hold the attention of a 25 year old man. Also, whilst I completly condem what Curry Grant did, what reason would this man lie for ?? to hurt his family?, to destroy his own character ?, I dont think so. Unfortunatly I found that the evidence in this book supports the fact that the Elvis/Priscilla myth, that Priscilla painted was a (PR), motivated stretch of her imagination. There is some dark truths in this book, I feel, and for those hardened Elvis and Priscilla fans who believe in the Priscilla myth, this book is not for you, however, If you too felt similar opinions about Priscilla's book, This is a must read, backed up by ground breaking evidence and reliable sources (close associates of both). GO BUY IT !

I found this to be a very good read..
People are so wrapped in the myth of Elvis and Priscilla, that when anything comes along to refute that, people get very upset. Because from reading some of these reviews, this book was something that diehards didn't want to read about, because they are so used to hearing the usual spin from Priscilla, which they take as the gospel.

People tend to be gulliable when it comes to celebs and believe everything they say. Because if you go back and read her book and then Suzanne's, the inconsistences are very obvious. Plus Priscilla did say she learned PR from the best Colonel Parker and Elvis.

Celebs create lies about themselves all of the time, Priscilla is no diffrent. Some reviews have said that the ex's and the entourage have a ax to grind. But what about her childhood friends, I doubt they had a ax to grind. And you can pretty much tell from reading their stories, which were very well collaborated, that they were telling the truth.

Priscilla always had it in mind to meet Elvis, and she wasn't a virgin on her wedding night. Priscilla had a active (...) life when Elvis was gone. And her parents, seeing Elvis as the big mealticket, sent her back to the States because she was getting to wrapped up in Jamie Lindberg. Even though they were eventually going to follow soon after.

And it was a eye-opener that her parents had a diffrent set of rules for her other boyfriends but when it came to Elvis, anything went. Sometimes Priscilla came home as late as after midnight, and her parents really didn't put a stop to that. And lets not get started on the fact that Elvis was a grown man and Priscilla was still a child, which gets glossed over because Elvis such a legend now. Honestly, how many parents would knowingly let their daughter go over to a adult man's house, let alone live with him. Not many but i know alot would, if the guy was a big celebrity..

Currie Grant's story i believe 100% because he readily admits his wrongs, the fact that he wasn't perfect in the whole situation. And i found it funny that Priscilla sued him and no one else, probably because he was the easiest target because he was shut out of Elvis's world. Plus Priscilla has made enough money off of Elvis's name to pay lawyers for years.

And the interviews with her friends at the time about the Eve comparisons are good, because i believe that Priscilla is a very calculating and intelligent person, discarding those she has no more use for, after she learned all she can from them. Joe Esposito, who numerous people have said is a very nice guy and Rick Stanley, i found to be very truthful to and thought they had alot of good insight.

In regards to Ann-Margaret, who i believe was the love of Elvis's life and Priscilla and Lisa. I read this book in a objective frame of mind and i came away from it thinking that this is in the top 5 of books of anything Presely related. Suzanne Finstad did a very good job writing this book, very well researched. ... Read more

Book Description

Three years ago, award-winning actress Angelina Jolie took on a radically different role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Here are her memoirs from her journeys to Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Pakistan, Cambodia, and Ecuador, where she lived and worked and gave her heart to those who suffer the world's most shattering violence and victimization. Here are her revelations of joy and warmth amid utter destitution?compelling snapshots of courageous and inspiring people for whom survival is their daily work?and candid notes from a unique pilgrimage that completely changed the actress's worldview -- and the world within herself. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

An Inspiring Journey
Reaching towards the end, sadness takes over as I did not want the journey of the true meaning of humanity to end. It was the only window to learn more about innocents' lives. Every day passes by, my appreciation and gratitude intensifies to UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie who managed to educate us.

Notes from My Travels, nourishes the soul and directs one's energy to the humanitarian issues exposed in this book. 20 million refugees around the world, some of us are simply not aware of the issue, and some are just selfish enough to ignore. Thanks to Angelina Jolie for raising awareness among both groups of people.

It is inspiring, educating and motivating; it will enlighten the mind of any individual who reads it. It is a blessing for us to know how other people are living and what their needs are so we can all contribute in building a better world.

It is about time we get over our selfishness and read about our innocent brothers and sisters and take action.

While I was reading, a friend who does not speak English asked me about the book, so I briefed her. Without hesitating, modestly her next question was "where can I find it in our language?" Then I realized how Angelina Jolie managed to raise enough awareness even to those who could not read the book as well.

It is such a Treasure. Don't hesitate to read it; Notes from My Travels are pure facts from a big heart.

As raw, honest, and shocking as Angelina's personality
In this written account of Angelina Jolie's early trips with the UNHCR, readers are given a first-hand glimpse at the strength and beauty of refugees from around the world. Jolie holds nothing back, writing with emotion, intelligence, and incredible insight as she describes the people whose suffering inspired her to become a UN Ambassador and donate more than $6 million -- as well as adopt a child,(...) from Cambodia. It is a must-read for Jolie fans as well as anyone who wishes to be more aware of the living conditions of third-world countries. Jolie eats and lives with these people, forgoing all Hollywood luxuries but at the same time knowing that she is barely making any sacrifices compared to how refugees must live on a daily basis. We literally watch as these courageous and inspiring people win her heart... and it's difficult to finish this book without being won over ourselves. One of the most beautiful women in the world describes the world's ugliest crimes against humanity and does so in a way that moves her readers to action. Her two goals are to better understand and to help bring awareness, and by the end she has more than met them.

She can act and she can also write
I bought this book and enjoy it. She explains very clearly and it's really true. She risk her life to go and see and help others, because it was dangerous. I recomend this book. If you want to read some of it e-mail me at jj_025@lycos.com

Inspiring
A well written book! Angelina has obviously become very passionate about her work overseas as an ambassador, her book gives us a raw look at the lives of refugees with living conditions that most of us cannot even begin to imagine. It is refreshing to have the chance to look into Angelina's mind and actually learn something new about her, instead of reading the same things over and over: the knives, the blood, tattoos, men. I'd definitely recommend this book.

CHAD KULTGEN IS JUST SAD
Chad - Dude, when I read what you wrote about this book, it totally pissed me off cause I thought - HOW IN HELL can you say that about someone that wrote a book about the humanity of refugee children? Just cause she's hot you think that's all she's good for?(My condolences to your blow up doll girlfriend)

Then I read all your other "reviews" and realized, all you do in life is write rude nasty reviews on Amazon.com all day - that's pretty sad. Almost all of the "reviews" you wrote just verified the fact that you have no life and probably are into child porn whacking off every night in front of the computer.

Best of luck with all that ;) ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Southern Humor Rises Again
Florence King, Molly Ivins, Bailey White, Jill Conner Brown, and now Celia Rivenbark. The tradition of Southern Belle humorists lives on.

We're Just Like You, Only Prettier is similar to the Sweet Potato Queens books, but not as outrageous. Still, I found myself reading a good portion of this book out loud to anyone who would listen. Even if there is no one else around but the hound dog, you might enjoy reading this book aloud, with a (fake, if necessary) Carolina accent to get the full flavor of the humor.

Celia Rivenbark RULES!
Ever since I read the "Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love," I have been hooked on literature for Southern women. When I saw the title of Celia Rivenbark's new book, "We're Just Like You, Only Prettier," I knew this is an author for me. Everything she writes about is humorous and timely, at least for me...having a child when you're a little "more mature," having long pretty nails, taking your precious child anywhere, family, etc. Celia is a hoot! Now I can't wait to read "Bless Your Heart, Tramp." I read "We're Just Like You, Only Prettier" in one sitting. This is a wonderful, entertaining book!

Miss Celia is the secret love child of Louis Grizzard
Hilarious southern humor. If this doesn't make you bust a gut laughing, nothing will. She's got the nuances and the southern lingo down pat. She also makes a mean chicken pan pie when she isn't tossing fruit bars in the backseat of her car for her toddler to eat! Can't wait for her next book. Hurry, hurry, Celia, tempus is fugiting!

Oh . . . My . . . Gawd!!!
This has to be one of the funniest books I've ever read! Rivenbark is a genius when it comes to observations and has so perfectly captured the South that it's scary. I've had the privelage to have lived there and up north, and let me tell you, it's a completely different country. Rivenbark's South is not the moonlight and magnolias of "Gone With the Wind." It's more like Reed's "Queen of the Turtle Derby" or McCrae's "The Bark of the Dogwood--A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens," in its use of humor. I just can't recommend this book enough. Y'all go buy it now!

Precious
Ms. Rivenbark has a delicious sense of humor, I am so glad I bought this and couldn't help finishing it in one day. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Everyone should read this book.
This book is written the way that an average person speaks, which is to say that it rambles a bit and frequently repeats things;but it's an easy read that I think every reader (both young and old) should find very approachable.As literature goes, it's not a great work of linguistic mastery.That being said, this is an excellent book that I wish everyone would read, because there's an extremely important lesson for all of us here.

Oral Lee Brown first recognized the very root cause of the brutal cycle of poverty that persists in America (it's the education system, people!), and then she tackled that problem in one of the most extraordinary ways I've ever heard of.Her story is brilliant and inspiring.And as I said before, I hope that it reaches as many people as possible, and will serve as an inspiration to us all.Great story, great lady, 5 stars.

AHeart of Gold
I first heard of Oral Lee Brown a few years ago when one of the children from her original class was accidentally killed. I read a little about Mrs. Brown and when the book came up for review I had to get to know the lady behind the heart. I was not disappointed, this book displays an angel in disguise.A humble woman who just wants to do all she can for those in need. Determined, dedicated and courageous are words I would use to describe her and each of the classes her foundation takes on.The child who initially inspired Oral Lee to start her foundation, was an angel sent from God, to help Mrs. Brown fulfill her purpose here on earth.In addition, to this being an inspiring read, there are tips on applying for college found at the end for both parents and students. If you need inspiration to do something you have been putting off, reading THE PROMISE will give you the motivation you need.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ™Reviewers

The author is a hero in my book....
Words fail me when it comes to Ms. Oral Lee Brown.We were living in the bay area when the Oakland Tribune and other media were reporting on her promise to send an entire 1st grade class to college.A real estate woman who was making less than 50k a year and a big heart and a bigger faith in God is what made her quest and her story so awesome.

And she made some big sacrifices and it did put a bit of a strain on her marriage and family life.And for some of the students parents who worked 2-3 jobs just to support their families, she would often step in and volunteer to attend PTA and parent-teacher meetings and report back to the parent(s).It wasn't just funds she was setting aside for college expenses but her time and energy.

As silly as it may sound she often gives as an example, that instead of buying shoes for her kids at Macy's she would buy shoes at Payless (just like many of us). And she would work more than one job herself.

What she shows is that if a woman who makes less than 50k a year can set aside money for twelve years to send a couple dozen kids to college, then a huge number of Americans can and should try to do the same.

What if a handful of citizens in a given city/town/village/community were to set up a foundation like she did, and raise money to put next years first grade class thru college in twelve years?

Education is power, and while we homeschooled, I still believe that no matter the educational choice, that any child who can get into a Jr. college or four year institution should have that guarantee of funding.

Ms. Oral Lee Brown is a hero of mine. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Terribly, awfully, wonderful book of life between the wars
This charming book was written in the period between the wars, and tells of the daily trials and tribulations of the Provincial Lady - dealing with the servants, nosy neighbours, the horribly snobbish local 'upper class', the husband who hides behind the paper. Always told with style and wit, we observe life for the lady in question as she tries to balance the accounts (never a success - where does it all go?), help out at the local Women's Institute, keep her wardrobe up to date and deal with such important issues as modern parenting, keeping one's brain active when living outside of London, and the delicate balance of letting the husband know not too much or too little.

The stand-out thing about this book is the character descriptions and her take on everyday life. If anyone ever tells you people were much nicer/politer in the good old days, just refer them to this book, which shows that there was just as many selfish, impolite, venal, self-centred and downright rude people in the 'good old days' as there are today. We just need to hope that we can deal with them with as much style and aplomb as the Provincial Lady would.

British Wit. Same women world as we know it...
Am determined to write impressions from this book in the style of "the Provincial Lady" herself. Am doubtful however as to the outcomes of this effort as my highest labors would not reach the dry frank witticism she displays.
Provincial Lady does her best to satisfy the wishes of silent husband (... "Robert, this morning, complains of insufficient breakfast. Cannot feel that porridge, scrambled eggs, toast, marmalade, scones, brown bread and coffee give adequate grounds for this, but admit that porridge is slightly burnt...."), intimidating cook, beloved children (... "Robin - whom I refer to in a detached way as "the boy" so that she shan't think I am foolish about him..., "Vicky,.... Enquires abruptly whether, if she died, I should cry?"), Mademoiselle (the nanny), Gardner and all kinds of friends and neighbors including the tiring Lady Birkenshop, "our vicar's wife" and the hated Mrs. B. ("query: Is not a common hate one of the strongest links in human nature?... answer, most regrettably, in the affirmative.")
This is the same women world. Husband is as usual quiet and does not give any consolation and the Lady struggles to please everyone and not forget herself and her own wishes (and health) on the way. How very sad to discover it was the same (woman) world even 70 years ago ... Book is so very candid and manages to capture the ever lasting nuances of human behavior ("Mem: Candid and intelligent self examination as to motive, etc., often leads to very distressing revelations...."), little lies, social pretenses and the day to