Customer Reviews

You Have to Stand for Something or You'll Fall for Anything

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

The first two chapters were extremely boring. She talks about a white lady who wants her black friend buried in the white cemetery. The lady stands for something, Star says. She also talks about her mom, who got pregnant with Star, then dumped her off on a crew of some very obliging relatives in North Carolina while she finished college at Rutgers University. Once graduated, and having obtained a "good" job she reclaims 6 year old Star and they live in the projects along with Star's new baby sister (who had not been dumped off on relatives). While living in the projects, little kids run back and forth across the street to the store, unsupervised. When Star is eight years old, she sees a little boy hit by a truck and killed. She's proud when her mom is arrested at a sit-in on the street to protest the lack of a light signal. Later, her mom marries and Star says that at first, her mom and her husband both have "low-paying" jobs. What happened to the "good" job? And if it's such a good job, why are they living in the projects?

The rest is basically a brag-fest. Her whole family has done nothing but praise her to the skies her entire life, so that's why she's brimming with supreme self-confidence. So why is she writing this book? Well, to tell you that you too can be a diva. Star gives fashion lessons (but for full-figured women only - and she hates that term but adores her 42DD's) - wear a chiffon duster over your clothes, and never ride in a white limo because they are tacky, a black Mercedes limo is the best, but if you have to, a Cadillac will do. A red SUV will also display you to the best advantage. Star's role model is Erica Kane from the soap opera All My Children, which says something about her priorities.

I do have one question. Star says she is disappointed one Christmas because her dad (who lives in NC) promised her a stereo. Her mom, seeing that no stereo is about to materialize, runs out in the middle of the night to purchase one for her with money that they don't really have. This would be about 1974 - before 24 hour Walmarts and KMarts. So where did she find this stereo in the middle of the night?

But most of the book is about how great and wonderful Star is, and if you ever do anything to hurt her or make her mad, she'll never forget it. And she doesn't care who doesn't like her because her step-daddy told her she is fine!

I think Star is leaving out a lot she doesn't want us to know.

"You Have to Stand for Something or You'll Fall for Anything" By Star Jones is the most inspiring book I have read in a long time. Star speaks as hard and meaningful as she does everyday on the hit show "The View". Every chapter has a message behind it that will make you think about your life in a way you did not before. The book ranges from many different topics that deal with our society on a day to day bases. It is one of those books that you start and you just can not put it down.

When Ms. Jones talks about the law, it's clear she's in her element and I thoroughly enjoyed those parts of the book. It's when she talks about her personal life that she loses me. As my summary above asks -- arrogance or self-confidence? She says she knows the difference, but I disagree. She obviously has a very high opinion of herself and while admitting that she had some advantages early in life (such as strong family support and role models) that others didn't, she acts as though she deserved all of it because she's so great. Don't get me wrong. I loved the book and I enjoy watching her on "The View" and there's certainly nothing wrong with tooting your own horn, but I think she should have stayed in the legal profession where her talents lie.

I am not sure what point Miss Jones was trying to get across in this book. I found the brush-with-death and family issues to be somewhat inspiring, but most of the other parts in the book came off as arrogant. She seemed to be using this book to tell the world how great she thinks she is. In the book, Star says that she now knows where the line is drawn between confidence and arrogance. I'm not so sure she does. The book seems to be sloppily put together, in a sort of random-thought fashion. However, if you are a fan of "The View", it can be a somewhat entertaining and fast read.

It is unclear what and why the author writes. She obviously has nothing of importance or substance to impart, and her personality is uninteresting by all standards. Most people overcome stronger adversities in life and they do it with infinite more grace. Why the author feels her life is more remarkable than others is really mind-boggling. Reading this book is a waste of time and buying it is a waste of money. There is really no message in this book and the author, despite her much self-praised legal training, fails to build any minimal argument on any of her potluck of topics.
Simplistic, at best; merely stupid.

Star Jones is an inspiration. Her bravery and courage, I'll call it "bravage," is the standard to which every American should hold themselves (and possibly some Canadians). In this book she chronicles her struggles with IBS, HPV, lycanthropy, fear of elves, crossing guard's elbow and having been born without humility. For the first time really, we see that Star's not just fabulous in fur, she's fabulous in print. If I could get my arms around her, I'd hug her. Star's spirit cannot be held down by her lack of any discernable talent! Bravo!

Star Jones is a confident, optimistic, strong woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. She made a decision to be all she could be. Her strength comes from her mother and the values she learned as a child. I found it sad that her father could not have been more influential in her life. She was fortunate however, to be surrounded by loving family members who stood by her when times got rough.

Her views of men are mixed and come from her own experiences with her father and other men who had disappointed her in the past. Her mother, "Shirley," is definitely her hero. I think her mother explains it beautifully: "You may have been born in the ghetto, but the ghetto's not born in you. " Star definitely has reached for the best in life and will not let anyone tell her she can not get whatever her heart desires.

This book is truly "the dictionary that defines" Star Jones. By the time you have finished this book you will know what she stands for and what she allows to slide. On the other hand, there are some issues where she presents both sides and leaves you to decide.

She has definitely overcome obstacles, for which we must applaud her. As she says: "The key is to learn from your mistakes and work to never repeat them." She has plan A as her ideal, but plan B will have to do if she cannot have the fairy tale version. This seems to be how she balances her intellectual and romantic sides.

There are places where I laughed out loud, especially the part where she described some of the cooks at their church socials. Something I had not thought of was an issue she discussed about television programming and especially an issue on "Friends."

She does not shy away from her religious beliefs and openly states: "I have a relationship with God, but I'm not just a Christian." She doesn't see the single most important aspect of her life as off-limits and knows that we each find God in our own way. She also explains how she knows God exists and gives him thanks for her position in life.

There are statements of truth (which I have taken the liberty of highlighting) within the stories about her life as a lawyer, her medical emergency, her deep friendships and her life on "The View." We soon learn that her family has had a great impact on her life and that friends and family are what her life is about. She is a friend first, a lawyer and a television personality second. She also loves Paris (a trait I admire as I too love Paris and Provence).

It is humorous to see her take the networks and talking heads to task. I think she is voicing what many people are intimidated to say. The people of America are tired of being told what to believe. "Just give me the facts and let me decide."

I don't know if she supports any causes because she doesn't discuss them. I am sure she probably does and doesn't want to use undue influence. She definitely does like to shop, which some of us can appreciate. I think women everywhere will be able to relate to her. She has a cute note to all the little girls in the world at the end of the book. I think that if you ever became her friend in real life, she would be a true one. Just beware: This woman is going to tell it like it is "Girlfriend," so get over it!" :)

I also like friends who are going to tell me the truth. Her frankness about reality is something I love about her and I think you will feel the same. This is a book about where she stands. I wish more people would stand up for what they believe in, and relish the fact, That we don't always agree. I guess the hardest part about being a grownup is figuring out where you stand, and then standing there!

~The Rebecca Review

I read this book before Star was popular I don't recall The View even being on the air or at least I wasn't watching it. But as an aspiring attorney I was compelled to read this book. I enjoyed it greatly; I understand why she was such a successful lawyer. In a day and age where "anything goes." The title of this book is excellent. It's a good read and gives you great insight into her life, before the glitz and glam. Great read and inspiration to someone that wants to "be somebody."

I purchased the book for my blind Mom who had asked me to get it a few years ago when she was'nt blind. I actually forgot all about purchasing it until recently when she became ill. I read it to her and she REALLY liked it!! At some point, I stopped to see/hear if my mom was listening. She screamed "Why did you stop? Hurry up and continue!!" I read it to her in three nights. She now wants Star's other book.

I enjoyed this book so much. Star Jones is definitely a role model for the young and old alike. She is sassy, educated, and a true DIVA! Her level of self-esteem is amazing and empowering. Her upbringing and closeness of her family members, reminds me much of my own relationships. I must say I can relate with so much of what she wrote. This is a "must read".