Back on Track: How to Straighten Out Your Life When It Throws You a Curve [Hardcover]

Deborah Norville (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997

The Emmy Award-winning journalist and popular anchor of the top-rated "Inside Edition" talks for the first time about her own very public downfall--being pressured off the "Today" show--as well as the experiences of other women who have been thrown curves in life, offering all women a plan for bouncing back from crisis.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Norville got a lot of heat for allegedly ousting Jane Pauley from the Today Show, and she has set herself up to take more heat by writing an amazingly weak book. The stated purpose is to tell other people how she managed to pull herself out of the bottom of the TV barrel after sustaining a major public-relations hit. To broaden the message of starting anew, Norville includes stories of other women who managed to bounce back from more terrifying circumstances, including rape, paraplegia, and spousal suicide. But these stories are always secondary to her own misfortune, which, quite frankly, pales in comparison. Norville seldom manages to get down to the level of a "normal person," and she writes of her life on Park Avenue with her cook and nanny as if all her readers share this kind of lifestyle. What's more, Norville's advice on how to bounce back has been said before, said often, and said better. On merit alone, this book is not worth purchase; buy only where demand requires it.
-?Pamela A. Matthews, Univ. of Maryland Lib., Baltimore
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Emmy Award^-winning journalist and anchor of the television newsmagazine Inside Edition, Norville writes a self-help book directed at women who have experienced a crisis and are suffering from depression as a result. The author's own crisis (being pilloried in the press and publicly humiliated during her tenure as Today show host and eventually forced to leave television with her career in shambles) is the basis for this book. She recounts how she was paralyzed by her depression and haunted by feelings of self-criticism and inadequacy. Her struggle to recover is also detailed, and she provides a 10-point recovery plan for others to follow. Her book also describes the personal experiences of several other women who have had to overcome disasters and get on with their lives. Although some of the advice may seem a little flip (her recommendation against seeking professional help, for instance), and while Norville's crisis pales in comparison to what some of the other women go through (such as rape and suicide), and in spite of the fact that she slips some Christian dogma in here and there, her book will be of interest to self-help readers turning to her because of her celebrity. Kathleen Hughes

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1St Edition edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684832607
• ISBN-13: 978-0684832609
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #996,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Deborah Norville is a veteran broadcast journalist with nearly three decades reporting experience. The anchor of the nation's top-rated syndicated newsmagazine, Inside Edition, she is credited with bringing new strength and respect to the program. Inside Edition is regularly seen by roughly five million daily viewers nationwide, as well as 30 foreign countries.

Norville brings curiosity and energy to her work. She made national headlines and received awards for her gripping reporting from inside the Davidson County, NC jail, reputed to be the nation's toughest. There Norville lived behind bars, treated like any other inmate to give viewers a rare glimpse at what jail life is really like. Her eye opening reports underscored how little 'rehabilitation' truly goes on.

She stepped behind a microphone to give viewers the inside story on the music business. Writing and recording a pop song and later shooting the music video to go with it. She has taken her viewers in an F-16 over the destruction of the World Trade Towers in 2001 and brought them to the crash site in Colombia where only four people survived the horrific crash of an American Airlines jet. Norville also conducted the first interview with Paula Jones after her lengthy legal battle with President Bill Clinton.

Deborah Norville is also an accomplished author. Her first book, Back on Track: How To Straighten Out Your Life When It Throws You A Curve (Simon & Schuster, 1997), a motivational self-help book which draws upon her experiences at NBC's Today Show. I Don't Want To Sleep Tonight (1999, Golden Books) offers children and their parents suggestions to keep scary dreams away at night. It became one of Golden Books strongest sellers. I Can Fly (2001, Golden Books) followed with advice on building children's self esteem.

Norville is a sought after lecturer, speaking on current events, work/family balance and motivation. Her website www.dnorville.com offers advice for busy moms (including menus and shopping lists), homework tips, and observations of the world around us. She and her husband, Karl Wellner, have three children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars enlightening, April 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Back on Track: How to Straighten Out Your Life When It Throws You a Curve (Hardcover)

I thought it was an autobiography about her struggle in the world of journalism, but it turned out to be a self help book rather than a story about her. Definitely a book to have when "your life throws you a curve".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, Insightful & Inspirational, December 26, 2000

By 

Gordon N. Kamei (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: BACK ON TRACK: HOW TO STRAIGHTEN OUT YOUR LIFE WHEN THROWS A CURVE CASSETTE: How to Straighten Out Your Life When It Throws You a Curve (Audio Cassette)

Back on Track tells how to handle the unexpected troubles that life can throw at you. Deborah Norville shares her experiences with the listener, from being on top as television's new "Golden Girl" to being unfairly vilified by nearly everyone in the media. Ms. Norville sheds light on what really happened on the Today Show with dignity and class and avoids giving others the nasty, hurtful treatment that was given to her.

Because this is an abridged copy of Back on Track, it lacks some of the details that are included in the hardcover. What it lacks in detail, it makes up for in its presentation. What I like about this (and other audio books) is that it is read by the author. Having the "book" read by a "celebrity" gives the personal touch, that just adds to the enjoyment for the listener. You'll love this audio book from this wonderful, intelligent and inspirational woman.

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read, June 21, 2010

By 

Tracy (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Back on Track: How to Straighten Out Your Life When It Throws You a Curve (Hardcover)

I am a big fan of Deborah Norville, and this book gives alot of appreciation for what she has accomplished and endured. This book should not be missed. It is a wonderful book, that is very well written, and makes you laugh and cry. We all need to recognize anything can happen anytime. And how there are times, life just deals you a hand you have no control over. You have to claw your way back out. I have been there. Thank you Deborah for sharing this part of your life so those, like myself, can benefit and learn from your experience.