Bouncing Back : I've Survived Everything...and I Mean Everything...and You Can Too!

As for me, this book came along just when I needed it! Joan flies in the face of convention - and encourages the reader to survive - no matter what you have to do! She asks you to ponder questions like, "what do you really WANT to do now?", and then encourages you to indulge yourself - but only so far. Then you are required to pick yourself up and take the next step! Some of it I have heard before, but only Joan told me it was OK to "do it my way". I devoured the book in one day - and felt an instant relief.

In the last year I have faced the death of a close family member, a destructive divorce (my second), car reposession, instant poverty (OK - so what do I DO with a food stamp?) forced head-of-household status with an 8 and a 3 year old. I was diagnosis with TWO incurable, crippling diseases, had to move 1600 miles from everything I have ever known, lost all my worldy possessions, had a business failure, lost my self esteem and the will to live!! This book is the only thing that has reached me at all! I am not seeing stars and smelling roses yet, but I am out of bed and moving - Joan says "keep moving" no matter what! She also says, get up every day, dress, put on your makeup, and be ready for your life, just in case today is the day it starts again! She makes the unconvential OK - and encourages you to live a personalized life - DO IT YOUR WAY, AND GET TO IT! But don't do it without this book!


JOAN RIVERS IS AN INSPIRATION!   January 8, 1999
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I was stunned to read all the negative reviews others have posted regarding this book! I found it one of the most inspiring things I have come across in a long time. I actually have the audio version of this book, which might make quite a difference. I try and listen to it at least once a week. To hear Joan's familiar and unimitable voice recount her tragedies and how she fought her way back to happiness give "Bouncing Back" a much more personal touch. I will be the first to admit that most of the psychological advice is standardized info that could be obatined in any of thousands of other self-help books. But to listen to Joan's unique voice and hear her apply these psychological theories to her own experiences makes what otherwise be just another self-help book a truly uplifting journey. THANKS JOAN!


The Queen of Mean!   September 3, 1998
 2 out of 7 found this review helpful

Joan Rivers is the meanest person on this earth. Her attempt to change her image has failed. This book lacks compassion, empathy and even common sense. Joan should stick with being mean to people -- it's what she does best.


Can we talk about bad books?   August 23, 1998
 2 out of 5 found this review helpful

If you want to help yourself, do NOT read this book. Joan Rivers, the Queen of Mean, is the last person in the world who should be dispensing advice. She has the compassion of a shark, and this half-hearted attempt to change her image just doesn't wash.


Survive, be happy, live and love again - wise words   August 23, 1998
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

...which summarize Joan Rivers' little book. She explains her own life's problems - very significant difficulties from near bankruptcy, professional pariah-hood to the suicide of her husband of nearly 30 years and bulimia.

Some may not like the occasionally flippant tone which is Rivers' hallmark but there's no doubt in my mind of her sincerity, depth of determination and that she grew through the horrible suffering she felt at the suicide of her husband. She describes some very personal difficulties with style and candor.

She does not advocate the currently fashionable "society of victimhood" and cites as one example a woman who witnessed the tragic shootings at Kent State in 1970. This woman's view in 1995: "my life stopped" - Joan's view: "Get over it - that was 25 years ago! How can your life stop?" Sounds flippant but if you read the book you'll see that becoming a self-pitying zombie helps no one and there is ALWAYS someone worse off than you.

Excellent book, uplifting, interesting and unpretentious (Joan mentions she doesn't have a PhD she has an IBTIA [I've been through it all]).

I highly recommend it even if you aren't going through a crisis - it will help you understand someone who is.