Bouncing Back : I've Survived Everything...and I Mean Everything...and You Can Too! [Hardcover]

Joan Rivers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1997

Internationally known comic and bestselling author Joan Rivers uses her characteristic verve and wit to candidly reveal how she hit rock bottom and made it back to the top, in this inspirational, very human, no-holds-barred memoir that's certain to be another Rivers' hit. of photos.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Her daughter's estrangement, her husband's suicide, her show's cancellation...a while back, Rivers had a truly terrible year. Here she explains how she managed to survive.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Rivers may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of someone to offer a friendly word when your life is in the toilet. But Rivers has been through plenty (as the cover copy states, "I've survived everything . . . and I mean everything . . . and you can, too!"). Besides the suicide of her husband, Rivers has lost her career--several times--and a bad investment cost her a multimillion-dollar jewelry business. But she has bounced back both in her professional and personal lives (her fianceis a billionaire), and though most of her readers aren't going to be bouncing that high, they may profit from her advice. Much of what she has to offer amounts to common sense, like asking friends for help, and some of it borders on cliche, like doing volunteer work to take your mind off your troubles, but River's chatty tone is honest and fresh, and she encourages people to listen to their own inner voices rather than those bombarding them from the outside. Certainly, her upbeat attitude gives hope. At the very least, expect patron requests when Rivers shows up on the talk-show circuit determined to lift viewers' spirits. Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 231 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060178213
• ISBN-13: 978-0060178215
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #726,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational!! Joan is a gutsy woman worth listening to!!, February 26, 1999

By 

lvngwell (Abilene Texas - USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bouncing Back: I'Ve Survived Everything-- And I Mean Everything-- And You Can Too (Hardcover)

I am still surprised by how many idiots there are out there who confuse courage and guts with meanness! The narrow minded, tight bunned portion of the public, who enjoy their martyrdom, will get nothing out of this book because of all many prejudices they have already gleaned about Joan from the supermarket tabloids!

As for me, this book came along just when I needed it! Joan flies in the face of convention - and encourages the reader to survive - no matter what you have to do! She asks you to ponder questions like, "what do you really WANT to do now?", and then encourages you to indulge yourself - but only so far. Then you are required to pick yourself up and take the next step! Some of it I have heard before, but only Joan told me it was OK to "do it my way". I devoured the book in one day - and felt an instant relief.

In the last year I have faced the death of a close family member, a destructive divorce (my second), car reposession, instant poverty (OK - so what do I DO with a food stamp?) forced head-of-household status with an 8 and a 3 year old. I was diagnosis with TWO incurable, crippling diseases, had to move 1600 miles from everything I have ever known, lost all my worldy possessions, had a business failure, lost my self esteem and the will to live!! This book is the only thing that has reached me at all! I am not seeing stars and smelling roses yet, but I am out of bed and moving - Joan says "keep moving" no matter what! She also says, get up every day, dress, put on your makeup, and be ready for your life, just in case today is the day it starts again! She makes the unconvential OK - and encourages you to live a personalized life - DO IT YOUR WAY, AND GET TO IT! But don't do it without this book!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars JOAN RIVERS IS AN INSPIRATION!, January 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bouncing Back (Audio Cassette)

I was stunned to read all the negative reviews others have posted regarding this book! I found it one of the most inspiring things I have come across in a long time. I actually have the audio version of this book, which might make quite a difference. I try and listen to it at least once a week. To hear Joan's familiar and unimitable voice recount her tragedies and how she fought her way back to happiness give "Bouncing Back" a much more personal touch. I will be the first to admit that most of the psychological advice is standardized info that could be obatined in any of thousands of other self-help books. But to listen to Joan's unique voice and hear her apply these psychological theories to her own experiences makes what otherwise be just another self-help book a truly uplifting journey. THANKS JOAN!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hurray for Joan!, July 12, 2000

By 

"northmom" (Cedar, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bouncing Back : I've Survived Everything...and I Mean Everything...and You Can Too! (Hardcover)

I can't believe that those who are putting down this book have gone through much of a crisis in their lives. Having gone through the fire myself with losing a father, nephew, and son in addition to illnesses and financial troubles, I found this book to be very inspirational. This may be because Joan was echoing what I have come to believe on my own, but sharing it with the world takes a huge amount of courage. I never cared much about her as a comedienne but a person's work does not necessarily reflect who they are inside. I felt very sorry for her when her husband committed suicide and, at the time, I remember wondering if she was just going to shrink into herself and go off on her own to lick her wounds. Well, she didn't and I say, bravo, Joan! Edgar is gone but you and Melissa are still here and to keep plugging away at life takes strength. I have had so many people ask me how I go on and say they couldn't do it. Well, you have two choices: you either give up or you go on. We are big on humor in our family and a bit of black humor does come out now and then. I am just very careful as to who I allow to hear it. You need to separate Joan from her work to get what she is saying in this book. And, if you can do so, and if you can learn from it, you will go on and you will be stronger. Those who nitpick specifics like decorating your house and all will be well are totally missing the point. What she is saying is to find what makes you feel better and get up off your bum and do it. Don't sit and wallow in self-pity and pain. Believe me, when a loved one is no longer there in your life, just vegetating can be SO attractive. It takes a huge amount of strength just to get out of bed in the morning. Who says we aren't supposed to laugh after someone dies? My son loved to laugh and to not do so would be to dishonor his memory. I know he is out there laughing with us just as Joan's Edgar is applauding her efforts to get on with her life.