Hoda and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more



or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
Start reading Hoda on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Sorry, this item is not available in
Image not available for
Color:
Image not available

To view this video download Flash Player

 

Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee [Hardcover]

Hoda Kotb
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)

List Price: $25.00
Price: $17.83 & FREE Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $7.17 (29%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it tomorrow, May 22? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $9.73  
Hardcover $17.83  
Paperback $11.81  
Unknown Binding --  
Summer Reading
Summer Reading
Browse the best books of summer including blockbusters, beach reads, and editors' picks in our Summer Reading Store.

Book Description

October 12, 2010
SHE’S JUST LIKE THE REST OF US : overstuffed purse, always losing keys, high-maintenance hair, snack guilt after an evening binge. But she’s something different, too.

Hoda Kotb grew up in two cultures—one where summers meant playing at the foot of the ancient pyramids and another where she had to meet her junior prom date at the local 7-Eleven to spare them both the wrath of her conservative Egyptian parents. She’s traveled the globe for network television, smuggling videotapes in her shoes and stepping along roads riddled with land mines. She’s weathered the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and a personal Category 5 as well: divorce and breast cancer in the same year. And if that’s not scary enough, she then began cohosting the fourth hour of Today with Kathie Lee Gifford. (Oh, c’mon, KLG! That’s funny . . . put down the huge pour of Chardonnay and laugh with us.)

HODA reads just like Hoda—light, funny, positive, and positively inspiring.


Frequently Bought Together

Hoda: How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee + Ten Years Later: Six People Who Faced Adversity and Transformed Their Lives
Price for both: $32.43

Buy the selected items together


Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

To millions of loyal viewers, she’s “Hoda Woman,” Kathie Lee Gifford’s slightly more restrained sidekick on the fourth hour of the Today show. Still others know her as a correspondent for Dateline, for which she has traveled from Baghdad to Burma and covered everything from hot zones to hurricanes. Now Kotb tells her own story, beginning with her Egyptian immigrant parents’ embrace of the American dream right to her nightmare year battling breast cancer and dealing with divorce. Throughout, Kotb’s voice is as infectiously enthusiastic as her trademark smile, each episode imbued with stalwart courage and sincere charm. From her fondness for the music of James Taylor to her fierce loyalty to New Orleans, Kotb’s memoir of life on the road, on the air, and in the trenches is not only an absorbing inside look at the high-speed world of high-stakes journalism, it is also one charismatic woman’s story of how a can-do attitude and caring family have provided the foundation and support for an exhilarating life. --Carol Haggas

Review

“Hoda Kotb is a wonderful storyteller. Hilarious, honest and inspiring, you will marvel as she describes her family's roots in Egypt, and their American sojourn which leads her to the career of her dreams. This book is a manual for overcoming obstacles and living life with passion and purpose. I loved it. Hoda is the working girl’s Cleopatra. She rules!”

—Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of Brava, Valentine and Lucia, Lucia

“This is the Hoda I know. She’s written this book the way she lives: out loud and up-front. She has written about the stuff of all of our lives. . . love, loss. . . and what she wore!”

—Brian Williams, anchor of NBC Nightly News

Kinda kooky, Open and outrageous, Tremendously talented, Born to write. . .Kotb’s voice is as distinctive as her name. Hoda’s life story makes for a great read. Hurry out and get your ‘kotb’ today!”

—Meredith Viera, cohost of NBC’s The Today Show

“It ain’t all about the reporting y’all. Ain’t nothin’ that can stop Hoda. This gal has more guts than a super hero. She does it all and she does it with class. Now she has a delicious book on her hands. Next, we’ll use those super powers to teach her how to cook!”

—Paula Deen, New York Times bestselling author of Paula Deen's The Deen Family Cookbook

"A smart, striking, and sassy memoir. Despite her extraordinary life and success, Hoda Kotb is as real as they come, and if I can’t be her, I at least want to read about her. You won’t know whether to laugh or cry (I did plenty of both), but Hoda’s stories—like the woman behind them—are guaranteed to charm and inspire."

—Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed and Heart of the Matter

“Hoda writes the way she lives: honestly, intelligently and beautifully. No matter how her hair looks. And the reader can tell no matter what she’s sharing at the moment that she is smiling that big Hoda smile. You will too.”

—Kathie Lee Gifford, New York Times bestselling author of Just When I Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg: Life and Other Calamities

“I love Hoda. She’s reported on the most dangerous, history-making stories of our time; made it to the Today show; survived cancer; survived a bad marriage, and she’s the only woman with more opinions than me. Who cares? You will after reading the first sentence of this page-turning memoir.”

—Joan Rivers

"Kotb’s voice is as infectiously enthusiastic as her trademark smile, each episode imbued with stalwart courage and sincere charm. From her fondness for the music of James Taylor to her fierce loyalty to New Orleans, Kotb’s memoir of life on the road, on the air, and in the trenches is not only an absorbing inside look at the highspeed world of high-stakes journalism, it is also one charismatic woman’s story of how a can-do attitude and caring family have provided the foundation and support for an exhilarating life."

--Booklist


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1St Edition edition (October 12, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 143918948X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1439189481
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,725 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Interesting, easy to read, very enjoyable book. Anne  |  20 reviewers made a similar statement
I'm very anxious to read her next book, Ten Years Later. Sherise A. Layton  |  14 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 44 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Ya can't scare her! October 15, 2010
By rmcrae
Format:Hardcover
The year 2007 was one of the worst for Today Show co-host Hoda Kotb. Not only did she discover her husband's infidelity, but she was also diagnosed with breast cancer. A real nightmare. However, those hard times gave her a confidence she'd never known she'd had before. Her mantra became "you can't scare me!" and she took life by the horns. Her memoir not only details that difficult part of her life, but also her upbringing by her loving Egyptian immigrant parents, covering big stories like Hurricane Katrina, and playfully duking it out every morning with her co-host Kathie Lee. You'll guffaw (she's REALLY FUNNY!), tear up, and smile. Keep on goin', Hoda!
Was this review helpful to you?
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars As charming as its author July 23, 2011
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have had many opportunities to be in the same room, at the same function, and to speak with Hoda Kotb throughout the last seventeen years or so. She has been the guest at many club functions and the guest speaker at others.

I can still remember my first encounter with Hoda. I met up with her to escort her to an event that I was chairing where she had agreed to be the guest speaker. She was so bubbly and friendly, and was never quiet! If she wasn't talking, she was humming. She immediately captivated me. She has the ability to draw an audience in and hold them captive, no one wants to miss a word of what she is saying.

So, when she mentioned her book on the Today Show, I knew there was no way I was not going to read it. When I picked up the book to read it, before I even opened the cover, I was hoping that it would be like having a conversation with her. I was not disappointed. Her humor comes through ten-fold. It was like catching up with an old friend. So, Hoda, if you ever come across my review, I am a friend of Laura's (in South Louisiana because I'm sure you will not remember me!)

I hope you enjoyed the quotes (I wanted to quote the entire book) and it makes you want to pick up the book and read it. If you enjoy watching Hoda on the Today Show, you will enjoy reading this book.
Was this review helpful to you?
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Genuine Hoda Kotb November 8, 2010
By BAGH
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have always admired Hoda Kotb, ever since she was a reporter in our city of New Orleans -- everyone loved Hoda. Her voice and her smile are always genuine whether on air, on the sidewalk, and now in her book.

It was interesting to learn about the education and leadership of Hoda's family in Eqypt and in the USA. The reader really gets to know her and enjoy her family relationships, especially her Mom who is quite a character and generously shares her recipes too. Hoda's crisis with cancer is inspirational and educational, while further deepening the support and relationship with her family.

Everyone can identify at some time with Hoda. For example, being an African American woman, I sure could identify with her hair woes as an Egyptian woman. Sibling relationships, typical sneaky teen episodes, and cultural clashes were insightful as well as fun.

Despite some of the lightheartedness, her strong character is clearly revealed. She was appropriately forthcoming about her failed marriage, but with the decency not to reveal her ex-husband's name which says a lot about her character and civility. Her crisis with breast cancer is inspirational and educational. On the subject of Katrina, I greatly appreciated her unbiased reporting while expressing her love for the City and its citizens.

There were episodes so down right hilarious that I had to laugh out loud. This is a good read, and I learned a great deal about the media and reporting from inside the profession. Through HOda's generosity and insight, I even got to like Kathy Lee Gifford!
Comment | 
Was this review helpful to you?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read.
This book is hard to put down. I love how Hoda tells all. As a New Orleans native it was really great to read about her life since she left us. Good luck in the future Hoda.
Published 11 days ago by Lynn Hebert
4.0 out of 5 stars Sorta interesting
Always like her onTV. It was interesting. Wouldn't buy a book but kindle is less expensive
.Might get her new book to read.
Published 18 days ago by Jeanne L. Jenne
4.0 out of 5 stars Hoda
Written conversationally and with humor. Found myself giggling often. I would recommend it for anyhone looking for a light treatment of "life".
Published 26 days ago by Carol Koepplin
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved Hoda
Hoda is a selfless, great writer. She is a people person who does not whine or blow her own horn. I enjoyed reading her story because of who she is: a great writer.
Published 1 month ago by Karen A Kaye
5.0 out of 5 stars Hoda fan
I watch Kathie Lee and Hoda on TV and saw her book and wanted to read it. Great book - very informative and she is a great writer.
Published 1 month ago by Peggy S. Hodge
5.0 out of 5 stars A good one!
I really loved this truthful, sassy, inspiring and lovely book. Cancer, failed marriage, challenging work schedules...but Hoda pushed on. This was a good read.
Published 1 month ago by Janet L. Schotter
3.0 out of 5 stars A hard read
I admire this woman and her career and what she's been through. However the writing style made it at time boring and found myself skimming and jumping forward
Published 1 month ago by GAL
5.0 out of 5 stars GOTTA LOVE THAT HODA!
This is a fun, fast read. It reads as tho Hoda is telling you her story in person. And she is so damn funny. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Gretchen Sleeth
5.0 out of 5 stars easy read
Interesting, easy to read, very enjoyable book. Offering a veiw into the world of a popular TV personality. Refreshing and fun.
Published 1 month ago by Anne
2.0 out of 5 stars A waste of time
Much to do about nothing except her hair. Too many foul words. No real story line, just a rambling of her.
Published 1 month ago by roy bingham
Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews


Forums

There are no discussions about this product yet.
Be the first to discuss this product with the community.
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 





Look for Similar Items by Category