No Lifeguard on Duty: The Accidental Life of the World's First Supermodel [Mass Market Paperback]

Janice Dickinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2003

A 1970s supermodel discusses her pioneering but turbulent career, covering such topics as her interactions with fellow celebrities, experiences with top fashion contributors, and struggles with drugs and alcohol.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Supermodel Dickinson's sex- and booze-soaked autobiography brings readers on a roller-coaster ride through the world of modeling, the emptiness of superficial relationships and the perils of drug addiction. Admitting that "terror is a great motivator," Dickinson fought like a tigress to establish her career. Courageous and confident of her worth, she demanded $20,000 for a job when the going rate was $5,000. Bolstered by Andy Warhol's advice, "you make your own luck," Dickinson represented Hush Puppies, Max Factor and Virginia Slims and ignored Calvin Klein's comment, "models aren't supposed to think." As a result, Dickinson is more interesting than some might expect, immersing herself in details about modeling and refining her skills as a photographer. Friendships with then-struggling actor Bruce Willis and her sisters have surprising warmth. The obligatory sensationalism is here concerning affairs with Jack Nicholson, Mick Jagger, Warren Beatty, Liam Neeson and Sylvester Stallone along with accounts of her multiple marriages and a near-fatal car wreck. While denouncing her hedonistic existence, Dickinson is also honest enough to acknowledge the stimulating aspects of success and glamour, explaining why they lure insecure personalities and imprison them past the point of no return. The book is sometimes predictable and psychologically simplistic, but Dickinson comes across as a triumphant survivor. Her willingness to recognize her own flaws makes it easy to relate to her positive message and should inspire readers searching for solutions to career and personal conflicts. Color & b&w photos.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Janice Dickson works as a model and a phopographer in Los Angeles. She is the mother of a son, Nathan, and a daughter, Savannah. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: HarperEntertainment (September 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060566175
• ISBN-13: 978-0060566173
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #568,332 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Commercial > Fashion Design
  • #46 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Fashion > General
  • #81 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest memoir by an early super model, August 21, 2002

By 

K. Corn "reviewer" (midwest, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: No Lifeguard on Duty: The Accidental Life of the World's First Supermodel (Hardcover)

Janice Dickinson was one of the first models who not only broke the mold of the blonde, pale and WASP-y supermodel but turned it on upside down, in the tradition of Gia Carangi, Cindy Crawford and Beverly Johnson. Born with looks that turned heads and drove men to their knees, Dickinson was not as blessed when it came to her personal life and self-image. She seemed destined to self-destruct but somehow managed to recreate herself until time, drugs and her past caught up with her.
Does this sound like just another dreary tale of a beautiful woman who let fame go to her head. drugs muddle her brain and life pass her by? Think again. Pick this one up and I doubt you'll put it down again till you've read every sentence. FOr one thing, Dickinson has the courage to spill almost all about the ups and downs of her life (although I'd LOVE to read what she doesn't reveal) and that, in itself, is compelling. She's honest about many of her flaws and revealing about the lives of celebrities who cross her path, including Sylvester Stallone, Christie Brinkley, Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty and others. This makes for a juicy read. I'll leave it to you to decide what is true and what isn't. What I CAN say is that this book definitely isn't boring or dry. CAUTION: There are some nude photos in the photo spread so, depending on your values, you may not want to leave this one lying around the house.

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Janice is HEAT!, October 14, 2002

By 

R. Spell "raspell" (Memphis, TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: No Lifeguard on Duty: The Accidental Life of the World's First Supermodel (Hardcover)

My only knowledge of Janice Dickinson was that she supposedly had Sly Stallone's child and there was some type scandal. I bought this book because I love beautiful women and biographies about the fast life in the 70s. This book satisfies on both counts. Not only is Janice beautiful but also virtually every other supermodel till the 90s is mentioned or pictured in the book.

Janice describes her destructive family life and through the typical desire and luck worms her way into the modeling business. Still only on the fringes of the business, she describes her European trips and how she is finally able to generate the heat necessary to grow into a supermodel. Of course, this leads to the failed marriages, self-destructive life style including sex and drugs, and an attitude to eventually hurt her career.

But this wild life makes an interesting read even though it is lightly written.

A second part of the book deals with life after modeling, her final two marriages, birth of her kids, her Stallone affair and the death of her father. It's almost sad at this point to see a person who had it all and how she had so many problems living happily. But that's the interesting part of the book seeing how she copes.

Some of us are built to go to work every day. And some, like Janice are built to live on the edge and reach for the stars. She may not be perfect but it was an interesting lifestyle although I suspect the Christian Coalition wouldn't agree. Read the book for fun.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Bi-Polar ride, September 13, 2004

By 

rdalton (IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: No Lifeguard on Duty: The Accidental Life of the World's First Supermodel (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this book. Books that talk crap are my favorite guilty pleasure. Dickinson is brave for being able to tell her story of abuse and neglect. She is candid and honest about her mistakes. In the end, she comes to realize that she can choose her own destiny. I believe people who think Janice blames everything on her sexually,physically, and emotionally abusive father are being apathetic. You don't grow up in a home where Daddy beats you up if you don't blow him and come out a sane person. She didn't have the same support system that abuse-survivor Oprah had. Survivors react differently depending on there circumstances.(supportive parent or adult, higher economic status)She goes through the book relating her behavior to her past for the first time in her life, and its the only way one can heal. You have to learn where behavior patterns come from in order to change them. She wrote this book to help people so they can learn from her mistakes. You have to remember, for most of her life she didn't have therapy and child abuse was not talked about in her day. This is a pre Oprah,pre Lifetime Channel, pre war on drugs, beginning-of the feminist movement world we are talking about. O.k now for the critique... Her psychological review of herself is overly simplistic and obvious,and the first supermodel thing is annoying. Also annoying, her admitted lying to the producers of HBO's GIA, her suggestion that she inspired CK underwear, and her obvious self-acknowledge self importance. I v'e read the Gia bio, so I was also annoyed when Janice said she believed, she had made it too easy on Gia, who never cared much about modeling. Was Gia suppose to be grateful that Janice made it possible for her to be a model? Is Janice really responsible for Gia's success? She rambles and is repetitive.
But janice as the first Asian/Polish/Celtic supermodel. Oh yeah and get over her language use.