How to Win Friends, Kick Ass and Influence People [Paperback]

Lynne Russell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 2001

After fifteen years of international exposure as an anchor for CNN's Headline News, Lynne Russell has become one of the most recognized and beloved women working in broadcast journalism. Renowned for her on-air combination of professionalism and irrepressible energy, Russell is every bit as remarkable off camera as she is on. Not only does she know her way around a newsroom, but as a private investigator, bodyguard, and black belt, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Russell writes, for the first time, about her amazing life, from her memories of childhood as a self-described nomad following her army father around the globe, to a frank look at her ill-advised early marriage, to her steady rise through the ranks of radio and television. Then she turns her attention to what her remarkable achievements have taught her about work, love, body language, and the best little shoe store on the Champs Elysée, and gives us her gutsy advice for life today.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

CNN's Lynne Russell is probably the only prime-time anchor with a second-degree black belt, and we're darn certain that she's the only one with multiple tattoos. Not to mention the only one who moonlights as a private investigator and bodyguard. In How to Win Friends, Kick Ass & Influence People, Russell--whose language gets awfully sassy and salty when the cameras aren't rolling--tells readers how she managed to overcome a disastrous first marriage and started a career in broadcast journalism that's now approaching its fourth decade. (The records show that Russell is in her early 50s, against all visible evidence suggesting otherwise.) She also has lots of advice for women, mostly encouraging her readers to "dare to be yourself" at work and play. But there are all sorts of interesting digressions, including tips on how to flirt in Paris (this section also reveals the usefulness of self-defense training; when a masher tried to get fresh at a movie theater, she silently took his hand in hers, then bent a finger back until she heard it snap). Edward R. Murrow might be spinning in his grave for all we care, but How to Win Friends, Kick Ass & Influence People is a fun, sexy read. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Revelling in her persona as a gutsy, independent woman who is simultaneously tough and alluring, Russell, an anchor for CNN Headline News, encourages other middle-aged women to follow her example in seeking adventure and romance. In spite of her efforts to be funny and outrageous, her riffs about maintaining one's appearance and navigating sexAwhich are combined with vignettes from her lifeAmake for a rambling, seldom amusing book. Russell doesn't lack for accomplishments: her successful, self-propelled media career began on the radio before she joined CNN 15 years ago. Along the way she acquired a young son, two black be
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Reprint edition (April 24, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312267509
• ISBN-13: 978-0312267506
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,135,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining anecdotes from CNN, June 24, 2001

By 

Michael R. Airhart "nomanisan" (Providence, RI, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How to Win Friends, Kick Ass, and Influence People (Hardcover)

This book appropriately glosses over Russell's private life and manages to balance professionalism, entertainment, assertion, humor and sometimes sarcasm about life at CNN -- the silly things some viewers or youthful subordinates will say and do, the surprising things a famous anchor will do when stuck in a brutal Atlanta traffic jam during scheduled airtime.

Luckily, Russell's perspective extends well beyond her CNN duties to reflect on her role as a go-getter and as a woman in her numerous other ongoing careers.

While she has no doubt inspired many women over the years to live uncompromisingly for one's goals and dreams, she also has inspired men like me -- from an early age -- to see career women as well-rounded, smart, savvy, and critical to an organization's success. At CNN and in her book, Lynne Russell has helped make professional journalism sexy to a new generation, male and female.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR WOMEN AND MEN TOO., December 15, 1999

By 

GiftPath-Valerie, Susan and Debbi (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Win Friends, Kick Ass, and Influence People (Hardcover)

Lynne Russell teaches women that they can do anything. If you lacked self confidence before you read this book, you certainly gain lots of it after you have finished. I had my daughters read it and they both feel more hopeful that they too can always do better. It's very up beat, positive and funny. Men, feel free to read this too..you will enjoy it.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun and serious look at how to live a real life, December 4, 1999

By 

Chris DeBello - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Win Friends, Kick Ass, and Influence People (Hardcover)

Instead of a news anchor you get a woman with an honest view of herself and through that look hopefully other women will find ways to have a more positive feeling about themselves, get the nerve to do something new and not be afraid of the words "you can't do that." The guys should check this book out too. It'll give you a kick start as well and keep you from holding down the lady in your life.