What I Know Now : Simple Lessons Learned the Hard Way [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

Sarah Ferguson Duchess of York (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 9, 2003

WHAT I KNOW NOW is the heartwarming and life-affirming lessons learnt by Sarah Ferguson The Duchess of York as she has come to terms with the many obstacles in her life. With the characteristic candour and down-to-earth charm that have won our admiration and our hearts, Sarah Ferguson The Duchess of York shares the hard won lessons that have helped her work through challenges and lead a simpler, more fulfilling life. Admired as much for her honest assessment of her foibles as for her grace in the glare of the media's spotlight, The Duchess here reveals her most private self. She share the truths she has discovered by embracing her flaws, striving to make every life decision with integrity and witnessing the selfless acts of others around her. Each lesson springs from a life rich with disappointments and victories and is seasoned with a healthy dose of humility and warm wit. Although her personal struggles have been played out on the public stage, The Duchess' thoughtful, simple approach applies to the struggles we all face. WHAT I KNOW NOW offers advice for the everyday as it illuminates the delightful spirit, undeniable resilience and trademark grace under fire of a woman who considers every challenge an opportunity to learn and grow.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her latest volume, a collection of "small tales" and personal reflections, Ferguson reveals her hard-won, earthy and proverbial philosophy of life. The 46 lessons herein ("Finding Empathy," "Choosing Battles, "Slowing Down") are commonsensical enough be called self-evident: in her short reminiscences, Fergie explains that we sometimes eat for reasons that have nothing to do with hunger, that beauty comes from within and that it's important to take time to stop and smell the flowers (or stare at the pheasants), have good manners, laugh readily and breathe deeply. When she explains that she rented a four-bedroom country house to learn how to "live small," or that she engaged Geri Halliwell's yoga teacher ("I rang up Katyana and asked if she could take a month off...to teach me, too") to learn the benefits of "breathing deep," readers may wonder just how hard it all was. Still, there's a lot to admire about the gutsy Ferguson, and for serious Royal-watchers, there are enough fun tidbits (e.g., the "hen night" when she and Princess Diana donned wigs and police uniforms and got arrested outside Buckingham Palace) to keep the preaching fun.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-The Duchess's book is reminiscent of Maria Shriver's Ten Things I Wish I'd Known-Before I Went Out into the Real World (Warner, 2000) in its common sense, self-effacing humor, and paparazzi-chased perspective. The royal uses some of her high-profile predicaments to reflect on what she has learned about daily life, and her style gently reveals a maturation that has gone unnoticed in the tabloids. She talks about health, relationships, faith, and her belief in the importance of gratitude (and not superiority). Readers will enjoy this romp to interesting places on Fergie's sometimes-bumpy, but never boring journey.
Karen Sokol, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (January 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743246128
• ISBN-13: 978-0743246125
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,909,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice little book, December 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: What I Know Now : Simple Lessons Learned the Hard Way (Hardcover)

It wasn't until I read Sarah's book that I realized what a wise woman she is. Her descriptions and explanations helps us feel as though we are experiencing the events she mentions with her. Sarah is a brave and talented person and this new book helps encourage others to face their own tests. I also highly recommend the book of wisdom titled "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life" by Taro Gold, which is also filled with sage advice for living a happy life.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple Lessons, Learned the Hard Way, July 7, 2003

By 

LoriDee (New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What I Know Now : Simple Lessons Learned the Hard Way (Hardcover)

Sarah Ferguson's book What I Know Now,is a wonderful little gem filled with beautiful stories and wisdom. I was pleased to find it on the "new" shelf at the library and after reading the first vignette, Forgiving the Past, I was hooked. Each story reveals a little more about the Duchess of York, what she has learned from her past mistakes and how she has set a course to change her future. It is not self indulgent in any way, but open, honest and humorous. It takes great courage to put your history out there for people to examine. It's refreshing tolearn about someone who makes no excuses for her behaviors, good and bad, but accepts what simply is and tries to do her best daily. It was such a pleasure to read about her daughters and the priority she places on her family. Each story is one that all of us can relate to because as human beings, we encounter the same dilemas, emotions and consequences for our actions. I smiled more than once, teared up more than once and fully enjoyed this little book about life. Sarah has a graceful,elegant way with words that makes this book flow nicely. It is definetly worth your time to read this book. Cheers!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner from Fergie, June 22, 2003

By 

Herbert Boomhower (Chesapeake, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What I Know Now : Simple Lessons Learned the Hard Way (Hardcover)

This was a charmingly written little volume of personal reflections and thoughts on how to live the best life one can live. Fergie, of course, has many examples to back up her short essays, but nowhere does she seem to lay blame for things that have gone wrong and always takes personal responsibility for her past actions.
This book reads like a series of personal letters to a good friend who has no axe to grind. Recommended for those who enjoy books with a positive thinking mentality.