If Only [Hardcover]

Geri Halliwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 19, 1999

She dreamed of becoming a pop star. She fought her way through personal obstacles to emerge--against overwhelming odds--as an international pop sensation: Ginger Spice of the supergroup the Spice Girls. Then, at the height of her fame, Geri Halliwell walked away from it all.

If Only is the inspiring story of Halliwell's roller-coaster journey from insecure teenager to nineties' pop superstar. With wry humor and rare candor, she reveals the hunger for love and acceptance that propelled her from her working-class beginnings to fame beyond her wildest dreams.

She shares candid thoughts about her battle with bulimia...her unforgettable meeting with Prince Charles...her ongoing quest for spiritual fulfillment...the real reason she left the Spice Girls. And she takes us inside the mind and heart of the outrageously dressed performer whose public persona shouted "Girl Power!" yet who constantly strove to discover who she really was.

When she left the Spice Girls in 1998--with a string of number one hits behind her--she was ready to stop being Ginger Spice and start becoming Geri Halliwell. Today, at twenty-seven, she has already embarked on a new journey--a platinum solo album, three number one singles, and the inspirational role of Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations--rushing toward a future filled with success, fulfillment, and, hopefully, no regrets.


From the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The superficiality of this book cannot be overstated. Still, it is a useful pop-cultural document. Halliwell was Ginger Spice in the Spice Girls, the Monkees-/Bay City Rollers-/Sex Pistols-style prefab band that rode a carefully crafted "girl power" media assault to fame and fortune. She treats us to page after page of growing up as the perky, undersized issue of a moderately ne'er-do-well Swedish dad from Liverpool and a feisty, Spanish, Catholic-cum-Jehovah's Witness mom. She pays special attention to her slow bust development, reports wanting to marry George Michael, and says that Lady Di's marriage and transformation into Princess Di show that fairy tales do happen. Snippets from her diary appear throughout, and though only a cynic would question whether they are genuine, they reveal the living, breathing, thinking, feeling human being behind the carefully crafted persona of Ginger Spice. It should be noted that Geri says that Ginger Spice is dead and she, Geri, has matured: "Last week in Los Angeles, I tried on a dress that was a little too tight around the bust. The old Geri would have tried to squeeze into the smaller size, but instead I chose the next size up. For me this was an important step toward self-acceptance." So, publicity ploy or soul-baring journal of a contemporary artiste? Anyone familiar with Geri's role model Madonna's legendary inability to realistically assess herself and her "art" should have no trouble answering that one. There is no denying the probable appeal of this parable in pink gauze, but the sugar sensitive should also be alerted to adequately prepare for it. Mike Tribby

Review

"Halliwell bares all in this thoughtful, honest, well-written biography."
-- Chicago Sun-Times

"Powerful. . . poignant. . .with frank, funny reflections on fame."
-- People


From the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Press (October 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385334753
• ISBN-13: 978-0385334754
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,141,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book proves Geri is the most talented of Spiceworld, November 21, 1999

By 

Mark Sando (Essex) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If Only (Hardcover)

This book is great, funny, amusing and even sentimental: thisis a must read book which had me coming back for more.

If Only is arefreshing breath of fresh air to all the media trash that is written about Geri all the time. At last with this book she has proved she can write a book as good as she can write her song lyrics.

If Only also answers the question "why did you leave the spice girls?" And unfortunately your just gonna have to buy the book, and give something towards the breast cancer charities.

A funny, charming and inspirational insight into the life of Geri Halliwell.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thumbs up Geri Halliwell!, January 15, 2000

By 

Ellen - See all my reviews

This review is from: If Only (Hardcover)

I read this book a few days ago and I couldn't put it down! Geri Halliwell is a brutallly honest and frank person ,one who isn't afraid to tell you about the more embarrasing parts of her life.I found her to be very down to earth and a very funny person.In short,she is REAL! She tells an excellent tale of her claim to fame,including the ups and downs.For those of us who like to read about famous people Geri has given us a book that I'm sure anyone can relate to.She tells it with humour,sadness and honesty,even telling the world about her eating disorder. What made me like this woman so much is that even after all the bitterness and nasty comments that seem to have surfaced from the other Spices,Geri maintains a friendly approach towards other members of the band.This could have been the ideal opportunity for Geri to have her say but she remains a lady and doesn't slag off the other girls.Good to see that she is using her fame in a positive light. Good on you Geri for opening up to us and giving us an excellent insight into one of the worlds most succesfull bands!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK!!, October 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: If Only (Hardcover)

A book capturing the life and times of Geri Halliwell. A Spice fan may love this book as well but it proves to be a full-force autobiography on the woman formerly known as Ginger Spice.

I would not recommend this book to kids, because the truth does hurt. Ginger Spice was a part of the character known as Geri Halliwell. The book shows many different viewpoints of her life. From nieve English girl to a confident superstar. From being a former glamour (nude) model to a television presenter, maybe the suburban moms/dads might want to flip through the heavily detailed pages before they let their kids read it.

The book "If Only" is very down-to-earth and contains so many subjects that each of us readers could relate to. After the book triggered many memories of my own, I couldn't help to think - Dreams really do come true.