Customer Reviews

Ten Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Went Out into the Real World

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

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. :)

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.

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.

In this book, Arnold Schwarzenegger's precious wife puts things into focus. She's blunt and direct, explaining that success is not that easy to come by and success is never a freebee. The book contains lots of valuable lessons on life and it's a life guide and to many perhaps even a life "guard" so to speak. Mrs. Shriver is honest about her own challenges to live up to the measurements of her parents and now being a parent and so forth. In short: it's an excellent book. Another book that I highly recommend as it deals bluntly with key issues in life and is extremely helpful, is Dietmar Scherf's "I Love Me: Avoiding and Overcoming Depression."

This book is interesting, easy to read yet has some practical advice for young people getting ready to leave school and enter the real world, although it's a fun book for anyone to read. Maria keeps each subject interesting while getting the reader to think of their own personal feelings and goals. It's a perfect book to give that college graduate this summer. I definitely recommend it!

"Ten Things I Wish I'd Known - Before I Went Out into the Real World" by Maria Shriver is a fun book written with a spirit of compassion. While it's based on a college graduation speech, its appeal is really to anyone open to advice about work and personal relationships. My favorite chapter was "Your Behavior Has Consequences" because . Shriver takes an honest look at getting "your gut to talk ethics to you." It's about personal integrity in environments that practically beg you to bend your principles. Shriver uses examples from her own life, citing mistakes she's made, and successes she's had in the area of living with integrity. I got the feeling that someone who had been down certain roads was willing to lend me a hand in being true to myself. I was inspired that she stressed letting go of the past and getting on with what's present in your life.

To readers interested in discovering a fuller life, I highly recommend "Working on Yourself Doesn't Work" by Ariel and Shya Kane. This book is for anyone who wants to live each day with self-expression, satisfaction and love. Many books have pointed the way for me, but this one went right to the heart of the matter - that trying to fix yourself keeps you stuck in the places you'd like to be free of, but getting into the moment will set you free. Just in reading and re-reading the book, I've found myself falling into the space of living in the moment and my life has become easier. This book is truly a gift.

Maria Shriver has written a winner! However, her worldly wisdom will only be understood by the insightful who are ready to take a long, hard look at themselves and be honest about the choices they've made in their lives. If, at this time in your life, you are one of those insightful people then RUN (don't walk) OUT AND GET THIS BOOK! Maria Shriver selflessly shares great wisdom in these pages that can provide tremendous inspiration to make changes leading to a happier, healthier life. I am grateful that we have such a marvelous role model out there for young women today. Three cheers for Maria!

I have always been facinated with all things Kennedy. Like most, I assumed that Maria Shriver rose to her position because of who she was, or what family she was from. WRONG! Maria Shriver shows that in this book that she was raised with a sense of honor and dignity that is rare. I wish that I had a mother like she has, I lost mine when I was too young. This book shows what good parenting can do for a person. This book, while common sense (which is the least common thing!) contained many things that I wish I had known before starting my life's journey. I plan on passing this down to my children. Hopefully, it will instill in them a bit of the grace and style that Maria has! If the networks don't give Maria her own show, on her own terms they are missing out! What a gift she is! Buy this book, it may just make you a better person, I hope it did that for me. I will think twice before doing something that is in the ethicial grey area!

Maria Shriver is a woman of many gifts and one of them is writing,,her book is enjoyable to read. Maria's warm heart and love show through in her writing,you know that she deeply cares about you THE READER and society.

I enjoy the humanness of her book,,the message is,,we DON'T have to be perfect,we learn from mistakes and grow from them,we learn our strengths and weaknesses because NO ONE is good at everything and is that EVER true!...we don't have to be a clone of the next person,we can be ourselves and benefit our lives and society from self knowledge and trying,that is the greatest message,keep trying and don't give up because you WILL find your place in the world.

I think Maria Shiver is the best role model I've seen for all women.She's a combination of love, faith,hope,strength and endurance,and her upbeat look at life can sure help you when you're down.

Great book for men too,because everyone can learn from a woman who knows what it's all about ..... ...TRYING!...and NOT giving up,if you're not so good at one thing,you learn from it and find what you are good at.

As a woman approaching her own college graduation, I found this book to be insightful, funny and very down-to-earth. The ten lessons were each very helpful, but I found the overall message of the book to be the most useful: pinpoint your passion. Everything else, according to the author, will fall into place. This book would be appropriate for anyone from seventeen to seventy. The lessons are timeless and are words to live by. My thanks to the author for providing such sound advice that we all know we should follow.