Customer Reviews

Nothing to Fall Back On: The Life and Times of a Perpetual Optimist

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Reading Betsy Carter's book was quite an experience. I kept thinking that even if one of the things she'd lived through had happened to me, there's no way I could have ever kept a sense of humor or a positive attitude about my life as Carter has been able to do. She was undaunted! I find it compelling that this author was able to spill the beans about her life without making me feel that she was bitter or complaining. It was just the opposite. I thought that throughout her trevails, she continued to be an optimist. I loved her writing. I felt as if she were my friend and that she was speaking to me on the telephone. There were also times when I was laughing out loud. I found this book inspiring, funny, very poignant and victorious. Betsy Carter beat the odds -- in all ways. I've just purchased copies for three of my friends.

My book club assigned "Nothing to Fall Back On," and reading it was such a pleasure! Carter's book is simply a wonderful read. She has a sharp, wry and distinctive voice-- she's your wittiest woman friend that you've known forever. The book chronicles some horrible events in her life, and in lesser hands the telling would sound whiny or melodramatic, but Carter has a gift for seeing comedy in the tragic without making light of her experiences. The portrait of the macho journalism world of NYC in the 1980s is also very interesting, and some of the gossipy anecdotes from that period are laugh-out-loud hysterical. A fun book that's smart and genuinely touching-- how often do you see one of those!?

I totally enjoyed this book. It's one of the best books i've read in a long time. Its amazing how Betsy has all these hardships and she manages to get through them with a smile on her face. I give her so much credit for what she's been through. She's a spectacular writer. You'll love this book!!!!

At first , I almost put this book down , because the first chapter did not grab me. Im glad i read this though because it is an excellent account of makiing it in the business while failing in the buisiness at the same time, confronting internal politics, office nemises, and personal crises. A good book and especially relevant to anyine who works int eh publishing industry.

I didn't realize that this was an autobiography. It reads like fiction. I know very little about the magazine world, but I have a distinct feeling that Carter really showed us an inside peek into it. I had a little trouble keeping up with all the friends, colleagues, loves, etc., so I just concentrated & listened beyond that. I really enjoyed reading Carter's upbeat attitude on life. Yes, she's definitely an optimist and no, that doesn't automatically classify you as silly or stupid. All the curves that life has thrown this woman, it'd be easy to let them all blanket her in despair. Yet, Carter only gained strength & wisdom at each point.
A few people have mentioned they had a hard time following b/c of the way she moves from past to present so frequently. If you can relax & really immerse yourself in the book, you won't even notice that. Obviously, she did that for affect & wanted readers to get the "full circle" feel of her story.
I liked the book very much. A real slice of life. I love the way she has handled everything. I wish Ms. Carter much happiness & hope readers pick this book up & are inspired by her as I've been.

Betsy Carter doesn't just make lemonade out of the lemons her life has dealt her, she makes lemon meringue pie. This is a deeply felt and deeply funny memoir.

While her resume sparkles, Betsy Carter does not live up to the promise of her editorial credits. The facts of her story are certainly interesting, but Carter's observations of her own fate are removed and somewhat clinical, rather than compelling and empathetic. Her story weaves back and forth between her childhood, young adulthood and careerhood in a poorly structured manner that is confusing to the reader and does the story no favors. My hopes were so high for this book and I was sorely disappointed. Readers are tired of the "woman overcoming adversity story." This one could have stood out with more emotion and less antisepticism.

i thoroughly enjoyed this book, and agree with some reviews i've read that reviewers shouldn't go into too much detail because thats half the enjoyment (if you can enjoy someone else's misfortune), reading her life events as they unfolded. the other half is her humor and as a woman and a working woman i could relate to how she felt in many circumstances. it was rich in history, both her evolving profession and the times she lived rising in her profession, and i enjoyed how she interweaved her growing up years with her adult years, her family, friends and loves. she also drove through Jacksonville on her way to Miami and went to the University of Florida so that was interesting! i hated it to end and i couldn't help wonder what shes doing now. i really hope all her dark times are past her. i think she is a 'real human being.' :) this is a book that made me feel good.

Betsy Carter's autobiography is truly interesting and a joy to read. You'll laugh and sometimes you'll cry, but you will never be bored. If you want to know what it's like to live and work the high-paced New York life in a unique and personal way, this book will give you the feeling.

Betsy shows us what it was like to grow up in the 50s and 60s, from New York to Miami and then on to being "a journalist in New York." She blithely details the trials and tribulations she's been through without wallowing in them, showing her true optimism and connectedness to life.

I fell in love with Betsy's sister, Miriam, and Betsy's amazing mother. Don't miss Betsy's mother's comment upon learning Betsy had been secretly going to Bible school. Even with tough times, Betsy Carter is a truly blessed person.

The book is extremely well written and edited, in fact, this may be the best edited book of its type I've ever read. She manages to convey whole chapters of converesation with just a line or two of dialog.

I will immediately, if not sooner, pick up the two fiction books Betsy has written since this autobiography. She's just that good a writer

Rading this book made me feel like I was reading something written by a good friend. Highly recommended, especially to women.

I enjoyed Carter's tale but it appeared to have ended ten years ago or so. I would've liked to have seen what she did after "New York Woman" (besides writing this book). According to the book jacket, she worked for a similarly titled magazine called "New Woman" and also founded the "My Generation" magazine. I would've liked to have learned more about those experiences. How long did it take her to get a job after "New York Woman" folded?

I also think she should've spent more time writing about her actual work at "New York Woman." Besides the female bonding, what else was going on?

In any case, Carter gave this reader a peek into the New York magazine world. It was certainly an environment that I had aspired to when I was younger but after reading this, it's less fascinating to me. Carter actually appeared a lot more interesting when she was on her way up, writing for the air & water newsletter and for the Washington bank than when she was editor in chief of her own magazine. Hopefully Betsy will write another book.