Nothing to Fall Back On: The Life and Times of a Perpetual Optimist

by Betsy Carter

Successful and smart, Betsy Carter was not only the ultimate New York Woman, she was also founder of a magazine by that name. For nearly 20 years she led a life that others only dream oftravel, power, fashion, partiesuntil things started to go terribly wrong. Carter faced a series of catastrophes: a devastating car accident, a failed marriage, a house that burned down. Then her magazine folded, and she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Somehow, though, through sheer perseverance, optimism, and a keen sense of the absurd, Betsy Carter kept going, and lived to tell about it.

Genres: Memoir, Book Club, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 7, 2002

About the author

I am the author of the novel, Swim to Me, which was published in August 2007 by Algonquin Books who also published, The Orange Blossom Special in 2005. My memoir Nothing to Fall Back On was a national bestseller. I write for O: The Oprah magazine, Good Housekeeping, New York, Glamour and Hallmark, among others.
I was a reporter at Newsweek for nine years, and then served as the Editorial Director of Esquire magazine. I was the founding editor-in-chief of New York Woman as well as My Generation Magazine. I was also the Executive Editor of Harper’s Bazaar and editor-in-chief of New Woman magazine. I live in New York City. My novel, The Puzzle King, will be published by Algonquin Books in the fall of 2009.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I've vacationed in Cape Cod countless times, I'd never checked out the Provincetown Library, which, among many other things has lovely bay views on the Mezzanine floor, an air conditioned non technology reading room, places to take your laptop, and a half scale model of a wood schooner on the second floor. I recently clinched my already high opinion of this library when I accidentally came across Betty Carter's terrifically inspiring, witty memoir, Nothing to Fall Back On, subtitled the Life and Times of a Perpetual Optimist. Carter, nee Cohen (her parents were Jewish refugees who escaped Nazi Germany in 1936) like me moved with her family to Florida in her high school years, and even attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, where I spent my senior year in High School. Carter is able to laugh so well at her misfortunes she is able to remind you in a funny yet not corny, way that life is actually worth it even at the worst of times. Despite Carter's almost Guinness Book of World Records level of bad luck, she managed to complete her life's dream of becoming a prominent journalist. At the height of her career she was senior editor for Esquire for many years, and even convinced some publishing heavies to let her begin and run one of the first literary/glamour women's magazines, New York Woman. Best of all, Carter's Nothing to Fall Back, sparkling with non-pretentious name dropping, and reminiscences of newsworthy events and scenes from the 60's through its publication in 2002, is a page turner autobiography with humor on a level of Jon Stuart and Joseph Heller.

[Rori Rockman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore Betsy Carter's writing style. I've read and enjoyed every fiction book she's ever written, and once those were all read, I got my hands on this nonfiction memoir of hers. Her trademark style is still there, still enjoyable. But for some reason, she decided to write her memoir entirely out of order, in what seems to me to be an absolutely random order. I can't figure out why she did this, as it detracts from the book (you have to re-orient yourself at the start of every chapter), and I don't see what it adds to the book. Despite this odd stylistic decision, I still zipped through this book. I don't think I came out of it any more intelligent or emotionally enriched, but I still liked it.

[Judy Boucher]

Really good fast read!

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how this book is a a memoir but reads like a novel. It felt a bit forced, still interesting.

[Karma Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did a book review on Swim to Me; another of Betsy Carter's books. I enjoyed that one so much I wanted to read more of her books. I really enjoyed this book. She tells her personal memior with admirable frankness and a great deal of humor. It is just a quick, fun read that leaves you marveling at the human spirit and our ability to overcome difficulties!

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was about keeping optimism but it was hard to get through in a down time in my life since it was all about the struggles she overcame. They are horrific, and I'm glad that she got through them so well, but it makes me feel bad about being down about my life.

I like her fiction much more.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Betsy Carter continually turns out
lemonade in the face of a continual
string of miserable lemons life
hands her. She has a nice way
of telling a story.

[Sue Kozlowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non-fiction. Betsy was the editor of the magazine, New York Woman. Jewish - has a lot of misfortunes but keeps on going.

[Elvira Pintac]

Amazed at how strong she can be to endure all those pains and losses. But then of course, sometimes, when there is no place to go, we can really just cling on hope and move one foot forward everyday :)