Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever: The Making of a Happy Woman (Paperback)

~ (Author) "When I was ten years old, my family moved from an apartment into a private house, which was a pretty big deal in those days..." (more)
Key Phrases: divorce insurance, beauty fades, romantic lead, New York, Hoover File, Pity Party (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Autobiography and self-help collide in Sheindlin's latest book (after Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining). Known to millions because of her TV program, Judge Judy, Sheindlin writes with the same theatrical no-nonsense directness that animates her on-air persona. Her theme is stated best in the title, which is just the first of many declarative chestnuts. Aimed at women trying to make it in male-dominated workplaces and traditional marriages, the book is broken into chapters that expound on basic principles illustrated with one or two examples from Sheindlin's long career (Revlon, Manhattan Family Court, network television). There's a slew of surprisingly personal recollections about her own marriages, husbands and divorces. The forthright self-revelations reveal an unusual person with, apparently, no conception of being eccentric. Conventional statements ("I believe that one determined, skilled person can do just about anything") have surprising conclusions: "That's why I keep a Hoover File, as in J. Edgar." Sheindlin unself-consciously goes on to describe how she used her Hoover File to ensure her reappointment to the bench. There are several such gems, all of which will be enjoyed by Judge Judy watchers. Sheindlin's voice comes through with amazing clarity: fans of her show will hear it as they read.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Those who have tuned into Judge Judy's TV broadcasts, even momentarily, will recognize her no-nonsense approach here. Her straightforward personality shines through her writing, making it a joy to read. Reminiscent of Laura Schlessinger's Ten Stupid Things Women Do To Mess Up Their Lives (LJ 10/15/97), Sheindlin's book doesn't pussyfoot around when explaining how women can create unhappiness in their own lives. Her main point is that a woman can't rely on a man to provide her with a life, nor should she even try. Although some readers may find Sheindlin's male bashing a little over the topAat one point she claims that "within the family structure, what men do best is breathe"Aher hit-them-over-the-head approach makes this book well worth buying for most collections.APamela A. Matthews, Gettysburg Coll. Lib., PA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (January 26, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006092991X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060929916
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,201 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny, Practical and Motivational, January 23, 2002

By	Mr. Raphael Chalvarian (USA) - See all my reviews

The book tittled 'Beauty Fades, Dumb is Forever - The making of a Happy Woman' is part an entertaining book (I had lots of laughs reading it) but, and it is part a 'How to be your genuine self' guide book for the feminine gender; specifically. For the young girls and for the more mature ladies and from the single to the married to the divorced women.
Drawn from her experience as a Family Court Judge in New York City for over 25 years, Judge Judy says she has seen and heard enough of the thousands of excuses that women (in particular) make in order to get or keep their men, and that it is about time that women take responsibility for themselves, and, by themselves.
In this book she talks about 'why' beauty fades and dumb is forever. She explains 'how' women are the trunk of the tree. She also talks about denial and how it is just a river in Egypt.
I, specifically, like how Judge Judy finishes her book by passing on this message to all women; that 'If you have a healthy spirit, a positive outlook, and a sense of personal accomplishment and importance, you will be a better partner, friend and mother.' In this chapter she had just finished discussing about standing tall, and, not necessarily in the physical sense (Judge Judy stands just over five feet tall).
This book can be read by the male species (such as myself) as well. Why? Because, I believe that a true man can be measured not only by his character and his values, but also by his willingness to learn and discover new (or old) things in life to increase his caring capacity.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilariously Truthful, July 28, 2001

By	K. Morgan (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever: The Making of a Happy Woman (Hardcover)

Just like on her TV show Judge Judy tells it like it is. In this book, Judge Judy talks about everything from toilet paper rolls, to little girl beauty pageants to the death of a spouse. And all along the way she tells some of the funniest stories. Some of the funniest are the ones that involve her husband Jerry. But even though she's telling funny stories about her husband and others, she is trying and succeeding at getting a point across to women--YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR LIFE.

This book is excellent. Judge Judy is quite the author. Beauty Fades... is easy to read and teaches a lesson while being entertaining. Every mother should give this to their young daughters to read. Judge Judy teaches that you must have a sense of humor in life. She also teaches to not let yourself be trampled on in the work force by your male counterparts. Those are just a couple of the lessons given by Judge Judy.

Judge Judy is definitely a positive role model for any age female. She knows what she wants and goes after it. More women need to be this way. Keep up the excellent work on and off TV Judge Judy :)

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Judge Judy Rocks!, October 29, 2000

By	Dawn Radcliffe (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beauty Fades, Dumb Is Forever: The Making of a Happy Woman (Hardcover)

Words cannot describe my absolute love of this book. I have all of Judge Judy's books and this one is my absolute favorite. I have read it at least a dozen times and have applied much of this advice to my own daily life. Judge Judy talks about this subject with her usual "I'm not going to take any crap off of anybody" approach that we see all the time on her show, in her courtroom and dispenses it freely and objectively. She readily admits that, as a woman, she has made a few mistakes in her lifetime just like we all do. I admire the fact that she made a success of herself in such a male-dominated workplace as the judicial court system. My favorite story in the book has got to be the one where Judge Judy, as a family court judge, was in the cafeteria talking to a colleague when this old man judge came up to her and informed her that this room was for judges only. She then pretended that she was the cleaning lady! But then secretly took delight in the fact that this guy was embarrassed when he found out that she was actually a judge! Wouldn't we all love to do that? This is a definite must for any woman who is at any situation in life. Growing up, being a wife and mother, juggling a career, being a success, etc. A gem of a read.