Take It From Me: Life's a Struggle But You Can Win (Hardcover)

~ Erin Brokovich (Author), (Author) "Believe me when I tell you I've never experienced anything stranger and more wondrous than seeing my reflection idealized in the movies..." (more)
Key Phrases: Jersey Films, Erin Brockovich, Jim Vititoe (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Motivational authors often tell stories of triumphing over adversity, but few become the powerful cultural icon that Brockovich has, complete with an Oscar-winning movie bearing her name. A flashy blond with a big chest, Brockovich says that people often ask how she, a single mother without a bachelor's degree or a paralegal certificate, managed to bring down the colossal PG&E for knowingly poisoning the water supply of Hinkley, Calif. She offers this book as her answer. In simple, informal prose, with a sparkling sense of humor, Brockovich describes her childhood and her wild adolescence. As important as her family, who taught her values, ethics and perseverance, was one high school teacher who recognized her dyslexia and showed her that she was smart and able to succeed, permanently changing her self-image and enabling her to graduate and enroll in fashion college. Several jobs, a few boyfriends, two husbands, three children and many hardships later, Brockovich was living in California, recovering from a car crash and in need of a job, which she found in the offices of her lawyer, and thus begins the now familiar tale. Even after the $333-million PG&E settlement, of which she received $2.5 million (before taxes), Brockovich endured an extortion attempt, a custody battle, seeing two of her children through drug rehab and having her dream house turn out to be filled with toxic mold. Her story is absorbing, and her advice is down-to-earth, accessible and heartfelt. Her "Inner Strength Workout" and "Shorthand Guide to Winning Life's Struggles" offer practical lessons in honesty, integrity, belief in oneself and "stick-to-it-iveness." Agent, Mel Berger. (Dec.)Forecast: As motivational self-help books go, this one is right up there with the best. Because of her fame (due to the movie) and her flashy style (for which she is criticized, but would she get as much attention if she were dowdy?), Brockovich is in a unique position to inspire and enlighten people. This book may crack bestseller lists.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Brockovich explains in frank terms that she has never led a Julia Roberts happily-ever-after life. Unrecognized for years as a dyslexic, she was labeled pretty but dumb, a judgment that severely hurt her self-esteem. Before age 30, she found herself with two failed marriages, three children, and no child support. Brockovich's book details how she came to grips with changes taking place around her and, more important, inside her. She learns to "press on," as her father had taught her to do as a child. If you saw Erin Brockovich, you should read this book to discover the heartache and trauma the movie didn't cover. The book reads like a soap opera of poor choices and unfortunate consequences, which include abortion, loneliness, poverty, and manipulative ex-husbands. Still, it's a quick and easy read, full of gripping details, and will be popular in bookstores and public libraries and on talk shows. Susan Burdick, MLS, Reading, PA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 194 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies (October 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071383794
• ISBN-13: 978-0071383790
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #959,288 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Lady, December 28, 2001

By A Customer

What a great lady! It was nice to read the real-life stories behind the Hollywood hype ... but the biggest surprise was that the truth was often more interesting and dramatic than the dramatization. Brockovich offers concrete advice to those who are trying to improve their lives -- she's a role model and inspiration to people everywhere. I also recommend "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Little Book of Wisdom" by Taro Gold. I have found much inspiration from both of these books.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take it from me, too., December 25, 2001

By	Cammy Diaz (Fictionland, USA) - See all my reviews

Erin Brockovich and I had several things in common. We were both blonde law professionals making our way in Southern California. For those reasons I have watched Erin's story unfurl with interest.

I first thought her "a brilliant woman trapped in a trailer trash body". Erin, a caterpillar, of sorts, has morphed into a butterfly. I have not changed my opinion in that regard, and as time marches on I hold Erin with increasing regard.

Now comes her book, "Take It from Me: Life's a Struggle but You Can Win". What better person to write such a book, but the queen of struggle, Erin Brockovich. Did you see the movie staring Julie Roberts?

When it comes to overcoming adversity, Erin is the expert. She lived every day of her life fighting the current. And now she has written a self-help, self-fulfilling, and all empowering book. I came away from her book thinking that I could have done more with my life. After reading this book I now feel inspired to do more with my life.

One review said that the book was a "pretty quick read". A straightforward assessment, but, according to her book, those three words sum up what Erin Brockovich is really all about. A simple, unpretentious woman, whose kind and moderate nature is both quick to forgive and forget. I enjoyed this book. I think you will too.

Erin has received a number of awards for her work. To mention a few: "Consumer Advocate of the Year" - Consumer Attorneys of California,"Profile in Courage" Award from Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association, "Justice Armand Arabian Law and Media Award - San Fernando Valley Bar,"Champion of Justice" Award from the Civil Justice Foundation of ATLA, President's Award - Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, and many many more.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars May not be what you think, December 2, 2001

By	Marty Miller (Columbia, MD United States) - See all my reviews

I'm not sure I qualify to rate this book since I just sped through it at the bookstore. It's a pretty quick read.

I anticipated reading about life through the eyes of famous Erin Brockovich and some keys to success that she applied to her own life. Instead, I found a book that is totally about her and really nothing else. The book is about how SHE could win, and maybe if there's time she'll give you a little advice, but she comes first.

I couldn't tell if she was trying to get pity for having to rebuild her house that she paid so much for. (...)?

Anyway, $(...) is way too much for a book that isn't going to make you any better of a person. The best thing in it is the quote from Calvin Coolidge. Sorry, Erin, nothing personal.