Ten Things I Wish I'd Known - Before I Went Out into the Real World [Hardcover]

Maria Shriver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 4, 2000

Award-winning broadcast journalist and NBC anchor-woman Maria Shriver reveals the lessons she has learned that have guided her journey as a career woman, wife and mother.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Maria Shriver's warmth, humor, and wisdom are evident on every page of this little book. Inspired by her commencement speech at the College of the Holy Cross, the book contains stories and insights that will be helpful, entertaining, and encouraging to graduates at every stage of life. The lessons themselves--"be willing to fail," "stand your ethical ground," "marriage is a hell of a lot of hard work"--are nothing new. What makes them interesting are the life stories that accompany them and Shriver's personable, friendly style. Reading this book feels like having a cup of coffee with a wise and funny friend. Tales of her first television experiences are surprising and hilarious, and she takes balancing motherhood and career to new levels--imagine postponing an interview with Fidel Castro to get your daughter to her first day of kindergarten! Each chapter is easy to read and ends with a focused lesson--kind of a bullet point from her original speech--that encourages readers to be ultimately true to themselves and their dreams, while cutting through harmful illusions. The last chapter, on laughter, is one to read again and again. Shriver maintains that without laughter not much else matters, and in life's toughest times it's laughter that gets us through. For anyone starting a new adventure--graduation, marriage, parenthood, career shift, or a milestone birthday--Ten Things I Wish I'd Known brings wisdom, laughter, practical suggestions, and a down-to-earth manner together into one fabulous gift. --Jill Lightner

From Publishers Weekly

Following the success of her 1999 bestseller What's Heaven?, in which she explained death to children, the NBC anchor woman expands on a commencement speech she delivered two years ago at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass., to share some of her life lessons with young people starting their careers. Although this slim gift book is positioned as a graduation gift, Shriver's natural audience is more likely to be busy working mothers like herself, and celebrity watchers who are curious about her thoughts on managing marriage, motherhood and career (Shriver and husband Arnold Schwarzenegger have four children). In lessons that are mostly about work and character, she shares simple notions that are fundamentally sound and that many adults will agree with: pursue your passion; consider no job to be beneath you; be willing to fail; realize that behavior has consequences; find a mentor. Unfortunately, the warmth and humor Shriver may have projected in person are forced on the page. Although she tries to build rapport with amusing stories of early faux pas and setbacks in her journalism career, readers may have trouble relating to her main predicamentAlack of appreciation from people who might have wondered if a beautiful, rich kid actually wanted a jobAas well as her idea of disappointment: not being as successful as Oprah or Diane Sawyer. Even so, Shriver's strength of character, her genuine admiration for her parents and her love for her family shine through. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1 edition (April 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446526126
• ISBN-13: 978-0446526128
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.7 x 5.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (121 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

213 of 220 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Surprisingly WISE and DELIGHTFUL Find... April 9, 2000

By "deelited2"

Format:Hardcover

Let me say upfront that none of my friends would even remotely describe me as a Maria Shriver fan. In fact, I have never watched any of her CBS or NBC News appearances, and in the periphery of my mind, associated her mainly with the words, "Kennedy" and "Hasta la vista, Schwarzenegger". Given the fact that I rarely read celebrity memoirs and biographies, it's practically a miracle that I picked up the book to browse in the first place!

But there I was, JUST about to check out of the store, when for some strange reason I felt compelled to pick up this book. As is my habit, I first read the back and then glanced at the introduction. Before I knew it, I was halfway through the intro, halfway to the check-out counter and absolutely refusing to put the book down!...I was hooked.

And due entirely to this book, I am NOW a Maria Shriver fan. "Ten Things I Wish I'd Known--Before I Went Out into the Real World" is witty, compelling, insightful, down-to-earth, completely readable, totally identifiable (for both genders) and doggone it--WISE! :) I found myself alternating between laughing out-loud, nodding in knowing agreement, shaking my head in disbelief and ultimately smiling with gratitude and admiration for the little gift of life and love this book really is.

Whether you're a Maria Shriver fan or not (at least to begin with), this short little book is worth not only picking up but reading. Based on a commencement speech she recently gave, I believe I could have (and *would* have) read it in one sitting (were it not for the incessant tugging on the arm of my own 3 little ones!)

At the end, she says she'll get back to us in a decade or so with an update. I can't wait! And next time it won't have to grab me on my way out the door--I'll be the first in line, book in hand...and halfway through the introduction I'm sure. :)

71 of 74 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest, humorous, and right-on! April 8, 2000

By Julie P. Clark

Format:Hardcover

A terrific little book, I didn't want it to end! The honesty of it rings true, and it made me laugh out loud many times! She writes that there is no better way to gain respect, even self respect, than through hard work and honesty, and being willing to learn from others. She tells the reader that there are consequences for behaviors, that those who behave in an unethical manner, don't last long in their careers. She talks openly of the times when she wasn't proud of herself for tactics she used in getting interviews, and realized she needed to change, in order to be the kind of person she wanted to be, one who didn't succeed by running down her competitors. This book is full of lessons that most of us learn the hard way, which is sometimes the best way to learn, as wisdom is gained and we work towards bettering ourselves, and enriching others. The book says she "has her commas in the following order," and lists being a mother as first. That is one of the few things I disagreed with in this book, as I believe a spouse comes first. This is one book I wish I, too, had had many years ago, as the lessons it contains are timeless, and, in a sense, "old-fashioned." It's just good common sense and respect for self and others. It's written in a manner that captures the attention, and it is a book that one will turn to again and again.

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Ten Things I Wish I'd Known... April 25, 2000

By Nina Silberstein

Format:Hardcover

I had seen Maria Shriver on television before and had seen her news stories over the years, but I really didn't know what she was all about until I read this book. I think most people are under the impression that because she came from a prominent family and later married a movie star, she didn't have to go through the same struggles you and I have had to in the real world. This book wonderfully puts it all into perspective. Her insights demonstrate that she is a real person with fears, hopes and dreams, and has experienced set-backs, failures and successes just as you and I have. Although she doesn't really talk about anything new or innovative, her points are a common sense approach to coping with what life deals you and what you get out of it. She was also realistic in that she came right out to say that no, you can't do or achieve everything; we're not superpeople and we have to accept our limitations. I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and I recommend it highly.