Customer Reviews

My Story

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I read this book a couple of years ago - before Diana's death in fact - and found it far too humble. Sarah certainly goes for the self flagelation approach, why she chooses to blame herself entirely can only be to curry flavour with the Windsors - did she strike some sort of deal with them?

Not knowing any of the key players, but observing as an outsider who lives in the UK, I would say that this poor woman had impossible ideals to live up to, namely the waif like idolised Diana who even at her most unpopular moments was always hailed as a great beauty & excellent mother. It used to outrage me how the press sniped at Fergie's weight, look at the Queen & the Queen Mother, both rather matronly not to mention Andrew who is somewhat portly.

I personally could not imagine marrying into that family, I wouldn't have lasted as long as Sarah did. I suspect also, that these were the only 2 out of any of the Queen's children, who actually married for love.

I'm sure she could have been far, far more critical, this book was certainly carefully written in order to avoid the wrath of the royals.

Gutsy woman though - I admire her.

I enjoy reading biographies and this one by Sarah Ferguson has stayed on my heart years after I first read it. Sarah was so honest about the heartbreak she lived through as the child of divorce, that often her story made me cry. Her willingness to truthfully share the mistakes she made and the painful lessons she learned during her time at Buckingham Palace were poignant and fascinating.

I recommend this story to anyone who is interested in British royalty, but also anyone who wants to read compelling story about an inspiring woman.

This is very readable book where you can see the way society treated sarah. She was pulled down by the media but she learned how to be strong and carry on with life. A book I recomend to all. very funny at times

What can you say to someone who attacks themselves viciously before you can? Nothing. Sarah starts and ends the book by tearing herself to bits. Even a sworn enemy can do no more to ridicule her than she does. One is left with nothing but a feeling of sympathy for this person who is apologising for her behaviour. The book does come across as somewhat of an apology, and it seems to do the trick.

One can't help but admire the style the book is written in. It reads fluidly, and is as un-put-downable as a ludlum. One other thing this book has in common with a Ludlum is the "world conspiracy theory" (there is a secret group plotting to destroy the hero and take over the world) the hero in this case being the duchess who feels that everyone was out to get her from the beginning.

The book is so well written that at one stage you almost suspect the hand of a ghost writer, but after sarah informs one about her other literary accomplishments one does start to belive that she has written the book herself.

The book is eminently readable and is full of malicious snippets (princess Diana going on joyrides in the middle of the night) that we do love to hear anout the royals.

An interesting weekend read.

As a lover of biographies this one was not about a person who achieved greatness through some great talent but was more a chronicle of the ups and downs of life in the house of Windsor. I think that red headed exuberant Sarah caught our attention twenty years ago when we watched her walk down the aisle with her prince and we all thought it was sort of neat that a real person was in this situation. I think that this is a lady who is VERY media savvy and knows how to market herself but there is still something rather refreshing at her forays into writing, her ability to fly a plane and her trek across the deserts of Quatar on horseback. I am not an unabashed fan but I was interested enough to read this book. It was enjoyable but also a little self absorbed. Like it's subject, a bit contradictory.

Unlike the previous reader, I really enjoyed this book and came away with real affection and admiration for the Duchess of York. Admittedly, certain things are left out, but that's probably as much to do with protecting others as about Sarah's own feelings. Let's face it, a no holds barred 'kiss and tell' story would hardly be dignified coming from a former Royal Duchess.

I've read the two books by Starkie and vasso, and even if everything they say is true, I still see Sarah as a flawed but fundamentally decent person. She may have been a little naive about the demands of her position, but royalty would be an alien condition to most people who are not born into it. She's made mistakes as we all have, and its how you learn from them that counts. Though extra marital affairs are not to be treated lightly, we should remember that Andrew spent months away from his wife, abondoning her in an environment in which her Royal status isolated her from emotional contact. Her romantic encounters can be seen as a search for support and self-affirmation.

The suggestion that she is in any way a bad mother I find incredible. One thing that comes over loud and clear in the book is Beatrice and Eugenie mean more to her than anything - she loves those girls. Sarah has been constantly victimised over the years and deserves some sympathy and understanding. Her charity work alone demands respect, and her work with Weightwatchers makes her a constant inspiration to many people. She has turned her life around and good luck to her.

To read Sarah's point of view, read this book. Approach it with an open mind and you'll find an engrossing and inspiring story of a woman struggling againstlow self-esteem, press hostility and the demands of her Royal status. Look at her now - I think she won the battle.

This is a woman whose own self-destructive behavior caused a lot of problems for herself and others, and her impulsive behavior led to supreme public humiliation on an international level.

She was also, unfortunately, profoundly sabotaged by the system of which she found herself part, and without the collusion and participation of certain people in the Palace and the press, her downfall might have been kept much more quiet than it was.

And yet, against all odds and with a list of insecurities and neuroses as long as your arm, this woman managed to climb back up from rock bottom, pay off all of her enormous debts, get herself and her life under control, and go on to become a patron of charity and author. She's a fine mother, a decent person, and, that rarest of rare things, a real grownup (now, anyway).

It takes a lot of courage to admit all your failings, take responsibility for yourself and your actions, and move on with your life. She has done just that, and this book is an encouraging, easy-to-read, engaging look at her journey. I found it inspirational and heartwarming, and although I liked her before reading this book, by the time I was finished, I respected her.

Even if you care nothing at all about royalty and the glamour of being in the public eye, this story of a woman triumphing against great odds is a great read.

I'm glad I borrowed this waste of time book instead of buying it. All she does is whine about her insecurities, how much trouble she brings upon herself with her behavior, and though I feel a bit sorry for her, I hope she has finally grown up and accepts herself as she is and GETS ON WITH IT!!

I am not one much into the Royal Family and received this book as a gift. However, from the moment I opened it I was hooked and read it straight through to the end. Princess Diana died just one week after I had finished the book, and I am very thankful for having read it, because it helped me to understand what she and Fergie must have gone through. I did not expect to enjoy the book so thoroughly and found that I could relate to Fergie. My Story is now one my all time favorites.

Boo and Hiss to the gossipmongering journalists who try to destroy lives! Thank goodness the Duchess of York was able to set the record straight in a book of her own. She loves Prince Andrew endlessly, but curses the "men in gray" who rule over even the Queen and make life in the Royal Family intolerable for "outsiders". Sarah wins hearts as a sometimes stupid and, therefore, perfectly human young woman!