Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Bo Derek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2002

The ultimate male fantasy, the perfect 10 herself, Bo Derek tells all she's learned about men and relationships in this wise but racy guide to men, relationships, and oh yes, horses. As an animal lover and lifetime horseback rider, Bo uses her intuitive understanding of horses to explain the secrets of the male mind. Using her special relationships with horses as an analogy, Bo explores the foundations of intimate relationships such as trust, patience, and honesty. Her fresh approach offers astoundingly wise insight into the subtle and difficult dynamics of love, lust, and friendship. In her own clear and penetratingly honest voice she reveals the coping strategies she employed when faced with the death of her beloved husband of more than 20 years. In this beautiful first book Bo transcends her own physical beauty to reveal an inner wisdom and peace that will entertain, educate, and enlighten women of all ages.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

An internationally known star and able horsewoman, Bo Derek has recently acted in the films Family Man and Murder at the Cannes Film Festival and has appeared on The Drew Carey Show. She was also named a trustee of the Kennedy Library in December 2001. She lives in California with her two German shepherds. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: ReganBooks (January 31, 2002)
• ISBN-10: 0060394374
• ASIN: B00008MNVY
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,529,130 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't underestimate Bo, February 14, 2002

By 

Bonnie Fitzpatrick (Matawan, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses (Hardcover)

Very entertaining read. I've long admired Bo as a down to earth, straight shooter. Come to learn she's also humorous and more self-deprecating than I thought. I enjoyed the whole book, but found especially interesting reading her side of all those tabloid/gossip stories. Also of interest are her friendships with Ursula Andress and Linda Evans. I now have a whole new level of respect for these extraordinary women. (Reading about how Linda came through for Bo when John died almost brought me to tears). As a result of reading this book I'm now a bigger fan of Bo's than I was.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Light reading, April 20, 2002

By 

Soft Cat (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses (Hardcover)

It seems that this book was put together rather hastily, as there is not much depth here. You will be disappointed if you were expecting a nice celebrity biography (or just a biography). It seems that Bo wants the readers to believe that she is more than a 'bimbo' but there is not much evidence in the book. Often, she talks about how she didn't have an interest of her own but was content to follow her husband's passion. She admits that she doesn't read much at all. There are numerous 'admissions'like this mixed with incidents that do show her wiillful self: 1)refusing the life cover 2)being a producer for a porn film and other films that she starred in 3)supporting Bush campaign.

At the end, she states that she purposefully didn't try to portray John, her husband, because she didn't want to misportray him. However, the lack of his presence in the book is just too glaring. I wish there are more indepth discussion about how she felt about him , how she saw him, what about him that she loved, how she changed over the time, etc.

Even the episode that she describes about Jane Fonda trying to be a matchmaker for Ted Tuner and herself, comes off shallow in terms of her reaction. To normal people, it is strange for Jane to try to introduce her husband (they were by then separated) to Bo. However, Bo lived an unconventional life where she was friends with all ex-wives of her husband. Even here she comes off as little airhead.

Before reading this book, I always imagine Bo Derek as beautiful, mysterious, and spiritual with lots of inner strength. But this book convinced me otherwise. I am curious how John Derek, a man of many passion and interest who married exceptional women in terms of physical beauty as well as mental, dealt with Bo who were some what plain mentally. She admits that John patiently waited for Bo to grow up to be a fascinating persona of her own but it really didn't happen.
However, one thing seems to be true: she is an honest and nice girl. So that's lot better than most celebrity of our time!

Now, I am very curious about Ursula Andress as she seems to be a woman of great depth and intelligence- what a surprise!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You will love this book, March 7, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses (Hardcover)

Bo Derek's approach to the ups&downs of life is quietly wise and very good natured. Her life story (so far!)and her relationships are fascinating. This book inspires us all to be like her: a woman of great inner beauty AND strength. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and getting to know Bo.