All That Is Bitter & Sweet: A Memoir [Hardcover]

Ashley Judd (Author), Nicholas D. Kristof (Foreword), Maryanne Vollers (Collaborator)

Book Description

Release date: April 5, 2011

Ashley Judd is an award-winning film and stage actor known for her roles in both box-office hits and art-house gems, and the daughter and sister of country-music royalty. In 2002, drawing on a deep well of empathy, she found her true calling: as a humanitarian and advocate for those suffering in neglected parts of the world.

Asked why she was opting out of a successful career, walking away while she was one of the highest-paid women in Hollywood, Ashley herself could not provide an answer. She simply knew that after her first trip to the notorious brothels, slums, and hospices of southeast Asia, her own life depended on advocating on behalf of the vulnerable. Promising each new sister, “I will never forget you,” Ashley began writing extraordinary diaries—on which this memoir is based—expanding her capacity to relate to, and to share with a global audience, stories of survival and resilience.

Along the way, Ashley realized that the coping strategies she had developed to deal with her own emotional pain, stemming from childhood abandonment, were no longer working. Seeking in-patient treatment in 2006 for the grief that had nearly killed her, Ashley found not only her own recovery and an enriched faith but an expanded kit of spiritual tools that energized and advanced her feminist social justice work.

Now, in this deeply moving and unforgettable memoir, Ashley Judd describes her odyssey, as a left-behind lost child attains international prominence as a fiercely dedicated advocate. Her story ranges from anger to forgiveness, isolation to interdependence, depression to activism. In telling it, she resoundingly answers the ineffable question about the relationship between healing oneself and service to others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“All That Is Bitter and Sweet,” is, at its heart, the story of Ashley Judd’s awakening. In sharing the secrets of a childhood fraught with neglect, abuse and debilitating depression, she confronts the stigma of mental illness and celebrates the serenity that comes with the hard work of recovery. The reward is a new role on a new stage -- global advocate for HIV/AIDS sufferers. The humanitarian pursuit of social justice and gender equality is gritty work, but the people she meets in the slums, brothels, sex-slave markets, clinics and orphanages reinforce her faithful contention that every life has value. Judd’s search for justice and peace -- for herself, and for the millions without a voice – is testament to the adage that when we help one person, we help the whole world."  --Greg Mortenson, author of NYT bestselling Three Cups of Tea

"Ashley Judd has written a deeply moving story -- amazingly, searingly, frank. It is her life story, warts and all. As I read her account of her childhood, I ask 'How could one so traumatized, so abused in childhood, become the woman we know, so caring, so altruistic, so compassionate, so concerned for others, and so joyful?'" --Archbishop Desmond Tutu

"Ashley Judd is has lived an extraordinary life. She has learned from it and turned it into a blessing and a call to action for others. Her journey is both moving and inspiring, unique and universal. Reading about it makes your own life make more sense." --Marianne Williamson

"This lovely woman, this movie star, this determined dreamer will be familiar to you, assuming you have struggled to resolve your childhood, carve out a career and make greater use of yourself.  Ashley Judd's story reminds us to work harder and on more important tasks, and promises that if we do, contentedness awaits." --Kelly Corrigan, author of NYT bestselling The Middle Place and Lift
 
“Judd’s hauntingly beautiful memoir reflects upon her life as actress, wife, daughter, sister, woman of faith, and ultimately, as friend of the world’s forgotten. The book is engaging as a narrative (I could not put it down), but this is not your typical ‘celebrity memoir.’ All That is Bitter and Sweet is written with uncommon depth and uncommon love. It has the power to transport you not only into the mind and spirit of a true activist, but into the elusive meaning of our shared humanity, and even into unexpected places in your own soul. Prepare to have your eyes opened and your heart jolted.  --Sue Monk Kidd

"Ashley Judd has given us magnetic and searingly honest portrayals of diverse women on screen. Now with the same honesty and magnetism, she brings us her true self on the page. From her childhood to her revolutionary empathy with women and girls living very different lives, her path will inspire readers on journeys of their own."  --Gloria Steinem

“All That Is Bitter and Sweet is all that is enlightening and inspiring.  Ashley Judd has composed a memoir that teaches while it entrances and finds hope and faith in the most unlikely places.  The book is full of real-life stories that reflect both the compassion of its author and the need for healing in the world.”  --Madeleine K. Albright

“Over the last decade I have watched my gifted, brilliant friend grow as an artist, but more importantly, as a wise, deeply empathetic woman.  I have read the diaries that are the heart of this memoir since she began traveling the world, fearing for her safety and sanity, baffled why she chooses these grueling missions. All That Is Bitter and Sweet will be a revelation to readers, exposing Ashley Judd for what I have known for years she is:  An amazing woman doing extraordinary work." --Morgan Freeman

"There are certain books that stay with you far after the last page - Ashley Judd's All That Is Bitter and Sweet is that very type of book. With her sincere honesty, her commitment to servant leadership and her intense passion for everything that she is involved with, Ashley Judd presents a multi-layered portrait of how one person - committed, caring and conscientious - can truly make a difference. She may be our program's No. 1 fan, but after reading this, you can count me as one of her top fans." --John Calipari, University of Kentucky Head Coach

About the Author

Ashley Judd received her masters degree in public administration at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. At Harvard Law, she was awarded the Dean’s Scholar Award for her paper on gender violence. She continues to combine her acting career with human rights and public health work around the world, serving on various boards of directors and leadership advisory councils. She and her husband, race-car driver Dario Franchitti, live in Tennessee and Scotland with their many beloved animals.

Maryanne Vollers is the author of Ghosts of Mississippi, a finalist for the National Book Award. She has also collaborated on two memoirs: Living History, with Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Ice Bound, with Jerri Nielsen, both #1 New York Times bestsellers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 432 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; First Edition edition (April 5, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034552361X
• ISBN-13: 978-0345523617
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.2 x 9.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (201 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Arts & Literature > Actors & Actresses

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

276 of 292 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Ashley Judd's perspective on herself - and her famous family April 5, 2011

By K. Corn TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is not the first time where Ashley Judd has provided revelations about her early life as well as her difficult road towards independence and individuality.

But this time she has provided additional details, the kind of details that could provide hope and inspiration for others who have suffered difficult and extremely painful bouts of anxiety, depression and/or a lack of passion for work.

Perhaps Judd's greatest courage comes in chronicling the various sexual abuses she endured. As of this writing, her family is reportedly (according to media coverage) unhappy with Ashley's revelations.

But breaking the silence surrounding childhood sexual abuse is an act of courage and every celeb and other person who doesn't flinch or waver from the hard truth can help others cope as well. Even more admirable? Judd transcended her own personal pain to reach out for social justice instead of remaining mired in depression and fear - and instead of feeling powerless for the rest of her life.

Hard for adults to understand, perhaps, but Judd makes clear that children don't automatically understand that sexual predators are being "abusive." Instead, children can feel a range of emotions, from confusion to fear ...or even shame.

For anyone familiar with the press surrounding the Judd family, it is no secret that there have been tensions, even outright breaks in the family. Unlike Wynonna and Naomi Judd, famed as singers, Ashley opted to become primarily an actress - and then she seemed to fade from the spotlight. "All That is Bitter and Sweet" explains why this happened and how Ashley's feelings affected her decision to veer from acting.

Among other challenges, Judd struggled with depression and a loss of passion for her acting craft - even while she was still strongly in demand. But read about her early abuse and family struggles and it becomes clear that she worked hard to face her painful past and continuing struggles - instead of living in denial and finding it harder and harder to keep up a facade that hid so much.

By coming forward and writing about her own painful past, Judd provides hope for others who have suffered neglect, abuse, depression, and other potentially crippling problems. Judd also reveals her own methods for finding peace, including work with others who need help.She connects intimately with those who have HIV/AIDS. She trys not to be a celeb who stays distant from those she helps. It is also clear that Judd finds solace and help from the people she meets along the way.

It must have been hard for someone like Ashley Judd to reveal so much about herself. Whenever I watched her in movies,I got the sense that she was a deeply private person and some of that reserve came through - and ironically,even strengthened the believability of the characters she played - on screen. But it is far different to play a movie role than it is to strip away the celeb facade and write such an open memoir.

93 of 103 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars "Ashley Judd Bares Her Painful Past!" April 6, 2011

By M. Mariba TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

This is a great candid memoir by the talented Hollywood actress turned humanitarian Ashley Judd, titled "All That Is Bitter And Sweet : A Memoir". In this touching/emotional memoir, Ashley Judd describes herself as a daughter of the world famous country music superstar singer Naomi Judd : but her childhood upbringing was rather erratic, chaotic & unstable despite her mother's trying efforts. She struggled/suffered emotionally, psychologically & sexual abuse during her 13 school years (attending 13 different schools from the tender age of 5 years to young adulthood at 18 years). Her older sister Wynonna Judd joined hands with their mother Naomi Judd to build up a musical empire in country music (the great country supergroup The Judds), while she persued acting in Hollywood with great success. Before leaving successful acting career for personal reasons, she was one of the highly paid actress in Hollywood. Ashley Judd, now 42 years has suffered depression, suicidal thoughts & memories of her sexual abuse from various men over the years. In 2006 Ashley Judd was 'finally' admitted in Texas for the treatment of depression as an in-patient with great improvement of her condition. The great support of her racecar driver husband Dario Franchiti whom she married in 2001 & family also was very crucial & influential in seeing her back on her feet again. Her story has positive spin : she managed to channel her anger/grief into humanitarian work as a YouthAIDS ambassador for Population Services International (working for the betterment of poor children/communities in developing continents/counties of Africa & Asia among others. She has finally found peace within herself & declares her painful past as her greatest asset! On overall, this is a great emotional rollercoaster ride (bitter) memoir with a positive (sweet) that is candid/engaging, a highly recommended book/memoir reading.

148 of 167 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely Life-Changing. April 6, 2011

By O. Brown HALL OF FAMETOP 50 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

*****
This is not a typical celebrity memoir. It is a book about social justice, recovery from trauma, and about how to live in this world. It changed my life.

I bought this book on Kindle in order to receive and read it quickly. I have since bought two hardcopies, one to keep, one to give away. This book is for anyone who cares about our world, and how to deal with the suffering, the grief, and the despair that occurs all over the world--for anyone who wants to make a difference--while at the same time not being dragged down by their own sadnesses, inadequacies, and grief. It is for anyone who wants to care about others and still care for themselves so that they can keep on making a difference and not live out of woundedness.

I wanted to read Ashley's memoir after seeing her performance in "Helen" thinking it would be about depression. It is--sort of--but it's more about living with whatever scars you have from childhood, and thus would appeal to anyone serious about living as a compassionate person.

The book starts off with difficult details of Ashley's upbringing and how she was affected by various people in her life, including her mother Naomi and her sister Wynona. This is not a smear of these much-loved family members, however, but a realistic portrayal of how Ashley (and we) can come to terms with how we reconcile with those who have caused us pain throughout our lives. Ashley dealt with neglect, molestation, and abuse, and emerged a severely traumatized adult.

The book continues with how she became an activist and why. It very movingly describes details of her activism work throughout the world, including combatting sex slavery and sex trafficking. Ashley writes about spiritual issues, including a profoundly moving experience related to her taking on the suffering she saw instead of allowing God to do so. In many ways, this book is a spiritual memoir.

It is a challenging read as the reader shares the author's view as her eyes are opened to the world's pain...and to her own pain. It inspires you to look at what you can do to heal the world and yourself.

The author writes about how she has begun her healing journey from depression and childhood issues, especially codependency, starting with an intervention and in-patient treatment at a rehab facility. This was my favorite part of the book. Brutally honest, raw, and moving (like the rest of the book), I had to take several breaks in reading it because it was so painful. But good, at the same time. I understood.

The remainder of the book was about how Ashley pursues her advocacy and activist work now, since she has embarked upon her own recovery, and how she integrates her recovery with the rest of her life helping others, with her family, and in her creative endeavors. How everything fits together.

This is a book for those who are (or who want to be) courageous in dealing with social justice issues and their own personal lives. Only those who are expecting a typical celebrity memoir will be disappointed in this deep and earnest read. Everyone else will, I'm betting, have their lives profoundly impacted and greatly changed, as I have.

Highly recommended.
*****