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The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives [Hardcover]

Katie Couric
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)


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Book Description

April 12, 2011
What was the tipping point for Malcolm Gladwell? What unscripted event made Meryl Streep who she is? How did Mario Batali cook up his recipe for success? In this inspiration-packed book, Katie Couric reports from the front lines of the worlds of politics, entertainment, sports, philanthropy, the arts, and business—distilling the ingenious, hard-won insights of leaders and visionaries, who tell us all how to take chances, follow our passions, cope with criticism, and, perhaps most important, commit to something greater than ourselves.

Among the many voices to be heard here are financial guru Suze Orman on the benefits of doing what’s right, not what’s easy; director Steven Spielberg on listening rather than being listened to; quarterback Drew Brees on how his (literal) big break changed his life; and novelist Curtis Sittenfeld on the secrets of a great long-term relationship (she suggests marrying someone less neurotic than you); not to mention:

• Michael Bloomberg: “Eighty percent of success is showing up . . . early.”
• Eric Stonestreet: “Remember that the old lady who’s taking forever in line is someone’s grandma.”
• Joyce Carol Oates: “Read widely—what you want to read, and not what someone suggests that you should read.”
• Jimmy Kimmel: “When in doubt, order the hamburger.’”
• Apolo Ohno: “It’s not about the forty seconds; it’s about the four years, the time it took to get there.”
• Madeleine K. Albright: “Never play hide-and-seek with the truth.”

Along the way, Couric reflects on the good advice—and the missteps—that have guided her from her early days as a desk assistant at ABC to her groundbreaking role as the first female anchor of the CBS Evening News. She reveals how the words of Thomas Jefferson helped her deal with her husband’s tragic death from cancer, and what encouraged her to leave the security of NBC’s Today show for a new adventure at CBS.

Delightful, empowering, and moving, The Best Advice I Ever Got is the perfect book for anyone who is thinking about the future, contemplating taking a risk, or daring to make a leap into the great unknown. This book is for all of us, young or old, who want to see how today’s best and brightest got it right, got it wrong, and came out on top.


Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Katie Couric is the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, a 60 Minutes correspondent, and anchor of CBS News prime-time specials. She has covered most of the major breaking news events over the past fifteen years, including the historic presidential election of 2008, the September 11 attacks, the Columbine tragedy, the Oklahoma City bombing, and the funeral of Princess Diana.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Random House; First Edition edition (April 12, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0812992776
  • ISBN-13: 978-0812992779
  • Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.9 x 9.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

This book is chucked full of good advice that I found to be very helpful. Valerie B. Lull  |  8 reviewers made a similar statement
I bought 6 copies of this book to give to high school graduates. Marilyn Henderhan  |  11 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
67 of 75 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars you have to be obsessed with celebrity April 12, 2011
Format:Hardcover
I pre ordered this book and received it on Monday. It's "cute". But the advice is shallow. A lot of platitudes with very little true informational advice. If you are a fan of pop culture I recommend it, but if you are seeking real life advice I would pass.
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43 of 47 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I am listening to the Audible version of this book, and I have to say that I absolutely love it. I have been a psychotherapist for 30 years, and in each story I hear the authors doing exactly what I encourage each of my clients to do - make lemonade out of lemons. Sometimes we have to hear the same message over and over until we get it - how many times did the hygienist tell me to floss my teeth before her vacation replacement told me flossing was like brushing in between your teeth! Duh! How many of the well-known people of our times face their failures and, instead of quitting, decided to keep on going? It is inspirational, and important to share with as many people as possible, not just young people who are graduating from college, which was the original idea for the book. Thanks Katie and all of the people who contributed their experiences. We each have an incredible story, and it always helps to hear how others made their story amazing.
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65 of 77 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Reads like essays from high school students April 14, 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was very disappointing. Though I appreciated Katie Couric's introduction to the book and her introduction to each chapter, they are, unfortunately, the only parts of the book worth reading. The 114 essays from celebrities were very cliched and poorly written; reading "if you work hard and do your best, you can do amazing things!" over and over and over again just got tedious. I would be willing to bet that most high school students could write more interesting advice essays.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars A "MUST READ" for you, your kids, friends, family and strangers...
Katie Couric is one of a few handfuls of humans on the planet that have had the opportunity to be exposed to some of the greatest (and worst/evil) minds and personalities of this... Read more
Published 2 days ago by Chef Dom aka The MangoMonkey
5.0 out of 5 stars Katie Couric
Love all the stories, very upbeat and positive. She also tells her own stories of struggle and how she arrived at her current position in her work.
Published 1 month ago by Risa Girlie
4.0 out of 5 stars The best advice I ever got
Easy read. Informative life lessons with practical advice shared by each individual writer. I would recommend this book to all my peers.
Published 2 months ago by Esther M Hadley
5.0 out of 5 stars Great collection!
This was a delightful composition of essays, poems, and short stories from some of our most revered people--Some obvious philosophers, like Maya Angelou, and some not so obvious,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Rebecca G. Ball
3.0 out of 5 stars gift
This was a gift and I don't know what the receiver thought of the book. aaaaaaaaa aaaaaa aaaaa aaaaa aaa
Published 2 months ago by Frances Chapman
5.0 out of 5 stars Review of "The Best Advice I Ever Got"
Loved the book, easy to read and kept me interested. Much of the contain I can use in my daily life.
I'm a Katie Couric fan!
I would recommend to my family and friends.
Published 3 months ago by Rudy Lopez
4.0 out of 5 stars Katie Couric
Lots of great advice! I'm glad this book was written. Just what I needed at this time. Nice job Katie
Published 4 months ago by Robyn Clements
5.0 out of 5 stars Great advise
Loved it. I enjoyed the advise. Very inspirational. Great book to have when you need a little push or pat on the back.
Published 4 months ago by PCooper
5.0 out of 5 stars bought it for daughter and niece we all love it
its a nice gift for people at all ages, especially the young kids who are still in school. Excellent advices!
Published 4 months ago by L. Zhou
5.0 out of 5 stars Jackie C.
Great book and good for young adults. Got it for a college student as theyvnavigate these uncertain times. Good deal.
Published 6 months ago by jackie
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