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Getting Real
In the wake of Gretchen Carlson’s lawsuit against former Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, her memoir of her time at Fox—working alongside Megyn Kelly, Bill O’Reilly, Steve Doocy, and other prominent conservative news personalities—is more relevant than ever.
In this candid memoir, celebrity news anchorwoman Gretchen Carlson shares her inspiring story and offers important takeaways about what it means to strive for and find success in the real world. With warmth and wit, she takes readers from her Minnesota childhood, when she became a violin prodigy, through attending Stanford and later rising to anchor of The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson on Fox News after working her way up from local television stations.
Carlson addresses the intense competitive effort of winning the Miss America Pageant, the challenges she’s faced as a woman in broadcast television, and how she manages to balance work and family as the wife of high-profile sports agent Casey Close and devoted mother to their two children. An unceasing advocate for respect and equality for women, Carlson writes openly about her own struggles with body image, pageant stereotypes, building her career, and having the courage to speak her mind. Encouraging women to believe in themselves, chase their dreams, and never give up, Carlson emerges in Getting Real as a living example of personal strength and perseverance.
In this candid memoir, celebrity news anchorwoman Gretchen Carlson shares her inspiring story and offers important takeaways about what it means to strive for and find success in the real world. With warmth and wit, she takes readers from her Minnesota childhood, when she became a violin prodigy, through attending Stanford and later rising to anchor of The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson on Fox News after working her way up from local television stations.
Carlson addresses the intense competitive effort of winning the Miss America Pageant, the challenges she’s faced as a woman in broadcast television, and how she manages to balance work and family as the wife of high-profile sports agent Casey Close and devoted mother to their two children. An unceasing advocate for respect and equality for women, Carlson writes openly about her own struggles with body image, pageant stereotypes, building her career, and having the courage to speak her mind. Encouraging women to believe in themselves, chase their dreams, and never give up, Carlson emerges in Getting Real as a living example of personal strength and perseverance.
260 pages, Hardcover
First published June 16, 2015
35 people are currently reading
683 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen Carlson
6 books34 followersGretchen Elizabeth Carlson is an American television commentator and author.
She was crowned the 1989 Miss America while representing her native state of Minnesota. She continues to work with the Miss America Pageant and has served as a national celebrity spokesperson. She also became one of Fox News' most prominent anchors.
She was crowned the 1989 Miss America while representing her native state of Minnesota. She continues to work with the Miss America Pageant and has served as a national celebrity spokesperson. She also became one of Fox News' most prominent anchors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
June 19, 2015
To whom much is given is right...
This book greatly saddened me with her message, "you can do anything". She had an extraordinary childhood to build on. She thoroughly covers all of her "hard work" to get where she was, but I found she is completely not relatable. Her bar that she seemed to always exceed, made me feel like a failure. Fortunately for her she never experienced the true test of human tenacity - the deaths of immediate family members. Very few of us are gifted prodigies and lead lives within constant privilege.
This book greatly saddened me with her message, "you can do anything". She had an extraordinary childhood to build on. She thoroughly covers all of her "hard work" to get where she was, but I found she is completely not relatable. Her bar that she seemed to always exceed, made me feel like a failure. Fortunately for her she never experienced the true test of human tenacity - the deaths of immediate family members. Very few of us are gifted prodigies and lead lives within constant privilege.
August 11, 2015
For a woman who has been Miss America, graduated Stanford, and had her own major cable new talks show, Gretchen Carlson has led an incredibly boring life. At least based on what she writes in this book you come away with the conclusion that the woman is a living Barbie doll. Too good to be true.
The first problem is that she is a perfectionist, so the book is written in a style that makes sure everything she puts in print is meant to make her look good. She brags--a lot--about her accomplishments. She is a violin prodigy and has too much success too soon which goes to her head based on what she writes here. However, she really doesn't accomplish much else. She mentions struggling academically at Stanford but then spends the rest of the book reminding us that she ended there as an honor student! What she considers a struggle or set-back is laughable (coming in 2nd place in a contest?) and while it's possible that she had the perfect parents, the perfect husband, the perfect jobs, etc. it makes for a dull read.
The second problem is her mother, a woman who pushed Gretchen into everything. Carlson thinks she is drawing an image of her mother being a loving, caring parent but the woman comes across as a nosy, bossy helicopter parent who is still telling her daughter every little thing to do as an adult. You'll cringe as you see 22-year-old Gretchen's unhealthy reliance on her mother, and throughout her adult life she expects her mom to constantly rescue her.
Another issue that isn't addressed is that Carlson grew up in a privileged home. She tries to make it sound like she was raised normally in small town America--when in truth she lived on a huge river property that the average American could never afford in suburban Minneapolis, and her parents' wealth (from owning a car dealership) allowed her to travel the country paying for the best of everything when she needed to get ready for the Miss American pageant.
Some Christian female readers may like the book. Carlson presents herself as a feminist and role model for women. There are detailed stories of workplace harassment. While these are sad stories, at no point did Carlson seem to react to the harassment properly when it occurred. As far as being a Christian, there's actually very little mention of her faith in this book. She claims to be a cultural warrior by standing for Christianity, but other than her being raised in her grandpa's Lutheran church we don't really know what exactly she believes.
One of the biggest issues with Carlson is that she has absolutely no qualifications for being in the television news business. She did not major in news, TV, or politics in college. She doesn't mention ever taking a class in it. Yet after her tour as Miss America she finishes college and has nothing to do, so she tries TV as if it's a fun game to play after being interviewed so many times during her reign. She then complains when she doesn't get the first jobs she applies for or she gets criticized for her inabilities. There are thousands of female college graduates that have more talent and better preparation for the field, it's just too bad that a woman of privilege can turn her Miss America fame into a TV news job without any training. That's not to say she didn't become talented in it by working hard, it's just that her story here is not typical and something that may not be good for potential future TV journalists to read.
The worst part of the book are the errors and hyperbole. She makes everything she or her family are involved in the biggest or best or greatest. There are a number of factual mistakes, and for a person who claims to be a perfectionist it's surprising that she doesn't know better.
She also doesn't reveal anything remotely interesting--nothing about sex, drugs, rebellion, on-set blow-ups, behind the scenes at Fox, etc. The only interesting reference in the book is about the 45-year-old Miss America celebrity judge that flew around the country to have clandestine meetings with her during her reign, which raises questions of the fairness of her winning the crown and the integrity of her meeting secretly with a man old enough to be her dad! But we never get any detail nor does she address the underlying issues.
For a book called "Getting Real" she appears to fear revealing deep truths that might suggest that she has anything other than a perfect life.
The first problem is that she is a perfectionist, so the book is written in a style that makes sure everything she puts in print is meant to make her look good. She brags--a lot--about her accomplishments. She is a violin prodigy and has too much success too soon which goes to her head based on what she writes here. However, she really doesn't accomplish much else. She mentions struggling academically at Stanford but then spends the rest of the book reminding us that she ended there as an honor student! What she considers a struggle or set-back is laughable (coming in 2nd place in a contest?) and while it's possible that she had the perfect parents, the perfect husband, the perfect jobs, etc. it makes for a dull read.
The second problem is her mother, a woman who pushed Gretchen into everything. Carlson thinks she is drawing an image of her mother being a loving, caring parent but the woman comes across as a nosy, bossy helicopter parent who is still telling her daughter every little thing to do as an adult. You'll cringe as you see 22-year-old Gretchen's unhealthy reliance on her mother, and throughout her adult life she expects her mom to constantly rescue her.
Another issue that isn't addressed is that Carlson grew up in a privileged home. She tries to make it sound like she was raised normally in small town America--when in truth she lived on a huge river property that the average American could never afford in suburban Minneapolis, and her parents' wealth (from owning a car dealership) allowed her to travel the country paying for the best of everything when she needed to get ready for the Miss American pageant.
Some Christian female readers may like the book. Carlson presents herself as a feminist and role model for women. There are detailed stories of workplace harassment. While these are sad stories, at no point did Carlson seem to react to the harassment properly when it occurred. As far as being a Christian, there's actually very little mention of her faith in this book. She claims to be a cultural warrior by standing for Christianity, but other than her being raised in her grandpa's Lutheran church we don't really know what exactly she believes.
One of the biggest issues with Carlson is that she has absolutely no qualifications for being in the television news business. She did not major in news, TV, or politics in college. She doesn't mention ever taking a class in it. Yet after her tour as Miss America she finishes college and has nothing to do, so she tries TV as if it's a fun game to play after being interviewed so many times during her reign. She then complains when she doesn't get the first jobs she applies for or she gets criticized for her inabilities. There are thousands of female college graduates that have more talent and better preparation for the field, it's just too bad that a woman of privilege can turn her Miss America fame into a TV news job without any training. That's not to say she didn't become talented in it by working hard, it's just that her story here is not typical and something that may not be good for potential future TV journalists to read.
The worst part of the book are the errors and hyperbole. She makes everything she or her family are involved in the biggest or best or greatest. There are a number of factual mistakes, and for a person who claims to be a perfectionist it's surprising that she doesn't know better.
She also doesn't reveal anything remotely interesting--nothing about sex, drugs, rebellion, on-set blow-ups, behind the scenes at Fox, etc. The only interesting reference in the book is about the 45-year-old Miss America celebrity judge that flew around the country to have clandestine meetings with her during her reign, which raises questions of the fairness of her winning the crown and the integrity of her meeting secretly with a man old enough to be her dad! But we never get any detail nor does she address the underlying issues.
For a book called "Getting Real" she appears to fear revealing deep truths that might suggest that she has anything other than a perfect life.
August 23, 2015
I won Getting Real by Gretchen Carlson in a GoodReads giveaway. I received a standard-size hardback book of professional design and a full cover photograph of the author. Getting Real clocks in with 260 properly thick hardbound-book pages with 8 pages of color photographs and tall serifed fonts formatted with easy to read line-spacing.
Getting Real by Gretchen Carlson self-agonizes, humble-brags and then purports to keep a stiff upper lip over whatever small misfortunes can be mustered across a life-time span of events that read like a made-for-TV movie about a woman who stumbles from one once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment to the next, all the while feigning of suffering and low-self esteem. A little too chubby as a kid? Well you became Miss America so things must have worked out. Being a violin prodigy wasn’t enough? Well Stanford and Oxford are on the horizon. Not everyone you met was kind and supportive? Well, you were competing against 50 other women for a shiny tiara made of diamonds. That tends to bring out the worst in people. And you wound up on top.
Gretchen Carlson’s Getting Real is well-enough written. It’s perfectly paced and immediately engaging. The prose is an example of perfunctory performance: precise, and correct and neat. It’s all tidied up and controlled, like a glamour photo. Like a made for TV movie.
And that’s how it comes off because no matter how “real” Getting Real gets, it’s still wrapped up in this larger-than-life persona that is “Celebrity Journalist” from this platform that is “Fox News”. And so no matter what this book says or does, it ends up being what you bring to it. It no more tells a story then reflects back what you think of it.
For me, Getting Real was not about this overall story-arch of a child violin prodigy who overcomes self-esteem issues to become first Miss America and later a 25-year television journalist. For me Getting Real was about this perfectly assembled narrative that positive-affirmation, might-makes-right, and single-minded self-assurance rules the day. A case study in this sort of Grandeur of the Moment that is the American Cult of Personality ruling class.
Getting Real is recommended as a Good Read for all the right-wing Kool Aid drinkers and the detached social observer.
Getting Real by Gretchen Carlson self-agonizes, humble-brags and then purports to keep a stiff upper lip over whatever small misfortunes can be mustered across a life-time span of events that read like a made-for-TV movie about a woman who stumbles from one once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment to the next, all the while feigning of suffering and low-self esteem. A little too chubby as a kid? Well you became Miss America so things must have worked out. Being a violin prodigy wasn’t enough? Well Stanford and Oxford are on the horizon. Not everyone you met was kind and supportive? Well, you were competing against 50 other women for a shiny tiara made of diamonds. That tends to bring out the worst in people. And you wound up on top.
Gretchen Carlson’s Getting Real is well-enough written. It’s perfectly paced and immediately engaging. The prose is an example of perfunctory performance: precise, and correct and neat. It’s all tidied up and controlled, like a glamour photo. Like a made for TV movie.
And that’s how it comes off because no matter how “real” Getting Real gets, it’s still wrapped up in this larger-than-life persona that is “Celebrity Journalist” from this platform that is “Fox News”. And so no matter what this book says or does, it ends up being what you bring to it. It no more tells a story then reflects back what you think of it.
For me, Getting Real was not about this overall story-arch of a child violin prodigy who overcomes self-esteem issues to become first Miss America and later a 25-year television journalist. For me Getting Real was about this perfectly assembled narrative that positive-affirmation, might-makes-right, and single-minded self-assurance rules the day. A case study in this sort of Grandeur of the Moment that is the American Cult of Personality ruling class.
Getting Real is recommended as a Good Read for all the right-wing Kool Aid drinkers and the detached social observer.
October 13, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I liked her story - the fact that she started playing the violin at such a young age (5 yrs old) and the fact that she played her violin at the Miss America pageant talent part of the show is just astonishing. By the way she won the Miss America title in 1989 and she was only 5' 3". She later went on to become an anchorwoman and reporter. She comments that aside from all of that - she feels that her greatest accomplishment is being a mother to her two kids. Awesome!
April 14, 2015
More Than Meets the Eye …
This book was reviewed as part of Amazon's Vine program which included a free advance copy of the book.
Generally, drama is the only thing that draws me to a biography. Down and out rock stars, actors and actresses hitting rock bottom or those who’ve endured/survived horrible situations … they have a tale to tell. I find the worst biographies are written when the subject is “on top” (at a peak in their life) … those books tend to be a little arrogant, preachy and oftentimes, pre-mature. I didn’t know what to expect with Gretchen Carlson’s GETTING REAL as she seems to be at a peak in her career … then I found out she was a former Miss America and wondered if there may actually be a story worth reading.
On television, Gretchen Carlson presents herself as a strong-willed and assertive individual. I will admit, at times, she comes across as somewhat tough and maybe even a little rigid, but I figure those traits are necessary with her line of work. But the tough and serious image doesn’t mesh with the Miss America title and I became curious to learn more about her. GETTING REAL proved to be an eye and mind-opener for me as I discovered there is a much more complex and talented individual behind the person I was seeing/hearing on television.
No, GETTING REAL is not a flame-throwing, bomb-dropping tell-all that reveals dirty, disgusting secrets that shock. Carlson’s story is more can-do than cautionary and while it lacks a certain “danger”, it definitely proved to be an interesting and worthy read. What I enjoyed most about the book is that behind the on-air persona is a deep and immensely talented individual with a personal drive that commands respect. Told in a self-deprecating manner, Carlson reveals a great deal about herself throughout and proves that success was never something handed to her … she’s worked hard and earned every bit of it. A self-described chubby girl whose immense skill with the violin earned her right to perform with the Minnesota Orchestra as a young child. While strong bonds to her faith and family keep her grounded, it also contributed to an inner strength that has guided her independence, the ability to stand by decisions and face challenges. The focus and drive necessary for her to maintain the highest level of academics (she was Valedictorian in high school and earned Summa Cum Laude honors at Stanford) and music is both impressive and inspiring.
The chapter dedicated to the Miss America contest was particularly interesting and educational. I learned a great deal about what Miss America is all about (much more than swimsuits) and how Carlson saw it as an opportunity to crush the negative “tall-blonde-bimbo” stereotype associated with its contestants. Even though she admittedly blew the “question/answer” phase of the competition, she stunned judges with her violin talent (this prompted me to see her performance on YouTube and believe me, it’s extraordinary). While the Miss America title served a boost to Carlson’s confidence, it proved to be a double-edged sword as the pageant stereotype was still a formidable obstacle to overcome when staring her broadcasting career. In fact, she took efforts to steer attention away from that achievement.
Other revelations in the book include a struggle with self/body image (even through the Miss America phase of her life), dealing with sexism (attempted sexual assault) and a frightening experience with a stalker who haunted her for almost two decades. Carlson has been through some trying times in her life, but always managed to pull herself together and successfully move forward, regardless of the challenge. And while most know her for the gig she has at FOXNews, it is only a small part of the life she’s lived.
GETTING REAL is a relaxing read that puts you in a position of understanding the person you see on TV is just the tip of the iceberg. Gretchen Carlson proves to be a person of substance, not appearance. Her book not only reveals her as highly intelligent, but genuine and kind … a successful role-model for anyone, not just women.
This book was reviewed as part of Amazon's Vine program which included a free advance copy of the book.
Generally, drama is the only thing that draws me to a biography. Down and out rock stars, actors and actresses hitting rock bottom or those who’ve endured/survived horrible situations … they have a tale to tell. I find the worst biographies are written when the subject is “on top” (at a peak in their life) … those books tend to be a little arrogant, preachy and oftentimes, pre-mature. I didn’t know what to expect with Gretchen Carlson’s GETTING REAL as she seems to be at a peak in her career … then I found out she was a former Miss America and wondered if there may actually be a story worth reading.
On television, Gretchen Carlson presents herself as a strong-willed and assertive individual. I will admit, at times, she comes across as somewhat tough and maybe even a little rigid, but I figure those traits are necessary with her line of work. But the tough and serious image doesn’t mesh with the Miss America title and I became curious to learn more about her. GETTING REAL proved to be an eye and mind-opener for me as I discovered there is a much more complex and talented individual behind the person I was seeing/hearing on television.
No, GETTING REAL is not a flame-throwing, bomb-dropping tell-all that reveals dirty, disgusting secrets that shock. Carlson’s story is more can-do than cautionary and while it lacks a certain “danger”, it definitely proved to be an interesting and worthy read. What I enjoyed most about the book is that behind the on-air persona is a deep and immensely talented individual with a personal drive that commands respect. Told in a self-deprecating manner, Carlson reveals a great deal about herself throughout and proves that success was never something handed to her … she’s worked hard and earned every bit of it. A self-described chubby girl whose immense skill with the violin earned her right to perform with the Minnesota Orchestra as a young child. While strong bonds to her faith and family keep her grounded, it also contributed to an inner strength that has guided her independence, the ability to stand by decisions and face challenges. The focus and drive necessary for her to maintain the highest level of academics (she was Valedictorian in high school and earned Summa Cum Laude honors at Stanford) and music is both impressive and inspiring.
The chapter dedicated to the Miss America contest was particularly interesting and educational. I learned a great deal about what Miss America is all about (much more than swimsuits) and how Carlson saw it as an opportunity to crush the negative “tall-blonde-bimbo” stereotype associated with its contestants. Even though she admittedly blew the “question/answer” phase of the competition, she stunned judges with her violin talent (this prompted me to see her performance on YouTube and believe me, it’s extraordinary). While the Miss America title served a boost to Carlson’s confidence, it proved to be a double-edged sword as the pageant stereotype was still a formidable obstacle to overcome when staring her broadcasting career. In fact, she took efforts to steer attention away from that achievement.
Other revelations in the book include a struggle with self/body image (even through the Miss America phase of her life), dealing with sexism (attempted sexual assault) and a frightening experience with a stalker who haunted her for almost two decades. Carlson has been through some trying times in her life, but always managed to pull herself together and successfully move forward, regardless of the challenge. And while most know her for the gig she has at FOXNews, it is only a small part of the life she’s lived.
GETTING REAL is a relaxing read that puts you in a position of understanding the person you see on TV is just the tip of the iceberg. Gretchen Carlson proves to be a person of substance, not appearance. Her book not only reveals her as highly intelligent, but genuine and kind … a successful role-model for anyone, not just women.
June 27, 2015
Fascinating Insight into Gretchen Carlson's Back Story
When you watch a broadcast journalist like Gretchen Carlson on Fox News, I wonder what personal journey this person has traveled to be there. The answer is inside GETTING REAL. This memoir reveals a personal look at Carlson’s journey and it is filled with key turning points and insights for every reader (whether you are in journalism or not).
I loved the storytelling and transparency which Carlson writes into the pages of this book. In particular I found the final chapters of the book moving and insightful. This journalist who reaches millions and a former Miss America (1989) is thoughtful and open about the words in this book. For example on page 243, she writes, "I've carried the Carlson family dictum—"To whom much is given, much is expected"—with me as a core philosophy my whole life. When I think about it I can still hear the rich tones of my grandfather's voice as he preached about love and charity from the pulpit. I can see my parents opening their hearts and their checkbooks time and again to help others in our community in Anoka. I can recall the intense feelings of compassion when we traveled overseas and met families who could barely afford to put food on the table. We were blessed, and my parents were determined that we could not squander our good fortune or feel prideful, but learn humility and use our advantages to help others."
As I read the pages of GETTING REAL, I gained immense respect for Gretchen Carlson. While I have not watched her regularly on Fox, I'm going to be setting my DVR to capture some of her programs. For a unique and rich reading experience, I highly recommend this title.
When you watch a broadcast journalist like Gretchen Carlson on Fox News, I wonder what personal journey this person has traveled to be there. The answer is inside GETTING REAL. This memoir reveals a personal look at Carlson’s journey and it is filled with key turning points and insights for every reader (whether you are in journalism or not).
I loved the storytelling and transparency which Carlson writes into the pages of this book. In particular I found the final chapters of the book moving and insightful. This journalist who reaches millions and a former Miss America (1989) is thoughtful and open about the words in this book. For example on page 243, she writes, "I've carried the Carlson family dictum—"To whom much is given, much is expected"—with me as a core philosophy my whole life. When I think about it I can still hear the rich tones of my grandfather's voice as he preached about love and charity from the pulpit. I can see my parents opening their hearts and their checkbooks time and again to help others in our community in Anoka. I can recall the intense feelings of compassion when we traveled overseas and met families who could barely afford to put food on the table. We were blessed, and my parents were determined that we could not squander our good fortune or feel prideful, but learn humility and use our advantages to help others."
As I read the pages of GETTING REAL, I gained immense respect for Gretchen Carlson. While I have not watched her regularly on Fox, I'm going to be setting my DVR to capture some of her programs. For a unique and rich reading experience, I highly recommend this title.
May 19, 2015
I remember watching the Miss America Pageant in 1988 with my mother. I bet my mother that Maya Walker, Miss Colorado would win and she chose Gretchen Carlson, Miss Minnesota. Obviously, as a Minnesotan I secretly wanted Gretchen to win but the fun of the competition is to bet against each other. My mother and I sat watching Gretchen during her violin performance in the talent competition with tears streaming down our cheeks. I had to quickly brush the tears away so I wouldn't be a traitor to Miss Colorado. I was truly happy for Gretchen Carlson and Minnesota even though I lost the bet and had to cough up $5 (my Dad gave me the $5 - ha!).
Gretchen Carlson is the real deal! She shares her experiences and struggles with weight loss, learning the violin, becoming Miss America, breaking into television news, and the balance of marriage, motherhood and a career.
I found her story to be an inspiration to anyone that has a goal to achieve; whether it be weight loss, winning a competition or going after your career. I highly recommend this book!
"I'm a person who likes to give 100 percent to everything I do. I want to be the best at my job and as a mother. But I realize I can only give 100 percent in the moment."
"I know from experience how wonderful it to compete and win, and while it is disappointing to lose, it's also an opportunity for parents to teach kids a very important lesson - that failure is the key to success."
I received a free ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
2015 Book Challenge: 25/75 Books
Gretchen Carlson is the real deal! She shares her experiences and struggles with weight loss, learning the violin, becoming Miss America, breaking into television news, and the balance of marriage, motherhood and a career.
I found her story to be an inspiration to anyone that has a goal to achieve; whether it be weight loss, winning a competition or going after your career. I highly recommend this book!
"I'm a person who likes to give 100 percent to everything I do. I want to be the best at my job and as a mother. But I realize I can only give 100 percent in the moment."
"I know from experience how wonderful it to compete and win, and while it is disappointing to lose, it's also an opportunity for parents to teach kids a very important lesson - that failure is the key to success."
I received a free ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
2015 Book Challenge: 25/75 Books
October 31, 2015
Maybe 2 stars is a bit harsh; it’s just that Ms. Carlson and I seem to have some philosophical differences. I admire her candidness, her willingness to speak openly about her faith. I believe she was sincere in her desire to change people’s minds about Miss America and the opportunities it offers to young women with talent, intelligence and ambition. She certainly worked hard enough to earn the title, and afterward to adjust to the celebrity it brought her (both positive and negative). Her story is inspiring. It’s not perhaps the way I would choose to influence young women, but I have to respect her determination and ability to maintain a positive outlook.
October 11, 2016
This book is a solid three and a half stars for me. There's no shocking reveal here, just the story of how God-given talent and (gasp!) hard work pays off. Being from Minnesota, it was fun to hear her reference places she went whole growing up. It was also incredibly interesting to hear her complementary comments of Roger Ailes a year before the lawsuit she filled against him. I listened to this book, which I would not recommend. The author reads it herself and considering she's been in broadcasting for most of her life, it's not great. It's like she's reading it to a group of children with way too much inflection and emphasis on words. It got a little old towards the end.
June 30, 2015
I don't usually read biographies or autobiographies, but when I saw that Gretchen Carlson was putting out a book, I was rather intrigued. I had no clue that she was a violin prodigy! This book left me feeling good inside. In some parts of the book, I felt like she was speaking directly to me as if we were girlfriends. I enjoyed this book, and may explore more in this genre.
February 10, 2016
Loved learning more about Gretchen Carlson and her extreme drive/motivation. Inspirational book about working hard to reach goals. Event today, she is still successful and has a name in her career field. Highly recommend.
July 10, 2021
I always find it difficult to “review” or analyze the story of a person’s life. It always takes a lot of courage and confidence to share a story, which is so personal. So, it feels odd. It feels more like critiquing a life, instead of the literary skills of an author. That’s why I find it unfathomable when some readers verbally eviscerate books of this nature.
That being said, I mostly enjoyed “Getting Real.” At first, I will be blatantly clear and candid, I did not enjoy it. I bought it, started it, and stopped it. Three months later, I returned to it…
I originally found some portions of the narrative to be overly self-aggrandizing. Specifically, I thought she might have overemphasized and overplayed her violin talents. But I do acknowledge she was probably a stellar player, she put in a lot of work, and it was a big part of her life. But I don’t like some of her lines that she uses for description…as an example, I didn’t like the section where she described “being burdened by her talents.” A lot of children across America do not have the ability to ever see an instrument —not just because of “talent,” but because of a lack of financial support or emotional encouragement. I would never consider a “talent” a “burden.” It was a luxury and a blessing that she was raised in an environment, where she was provided with this opportunity. She could’ve just as easily been born in a totally different environment, and her life would’ve been insanely different. Carlson seems to be cognizant of this fact and she expresses it at various points, but some of her lines do not align with the notion. In other words, she may not have been meaning to sound pretentious; and given the chance to interact with my review, she would likely even agree with me about instruments being a blessing / luxury. But nonetheless, I still think it’s important to point out.
My mouth also dropped—literally dropped—whenever I read the section, where she claimed she wanted to be “fat” as a child to avoid being too perfect. I don’t buy this. To be crude and colloquial, I call bull shit.
In spite of these critiques, I found her story more powerful whenever she started talking about the Miss America competition. I like her focus on diligence and perseverance, and I absolutely adored hearing about her children. I also enjoyed her description of her value system; it felt genuine and I appreciated that. Finally, I LOVE her emphasis on failure —the way that failures can lead us to success, if handled effectively.
I read another review that heavily criticized Gretchen’s attitude and called her out for being a “perfectionist” and leading a “boring life.” I couldn’t disagree more. I come from an entirely different background from this woman, but I really identified with her description of perfectionism. To an outsider who may not think this way, it might seem haughty and arrogant. But I would argue, being someone who has spent time feeling and oftentimes struggling with similar emotions, it genuinely is a type of drive that you’re almost born with —one that can be impossible to shake. It can really define who you are, and help you accomplish goals. It can also be painful and difficult at times. Her life wasn’t boring, and I imagine a hateful, bitter person would cast a judgement of this nature. She really did accomplish a lot, and did so many fascinating things that I’ll never get to personally experience. I liked hearing about those.
Overall, I found her story to be inspiring and I am thankful she shared it. If I could offer suggestions though, I would recommend more thought be placed into the phraseology of certain lines.
That being said, I mostly enjoyed “Getting Real.” At first, I will be blatantly clear and candid, I did not enjoy it. I bought it, started it, and stopped it. Three months later, I returned to it…
I originally found some portions of the narrative to be overly self-aggrandizing. Specifically, I thought she might have overemphasized and overplayed her violin talents. But I do acknowledge she was probably a stellar player, she put in a lot of work, and it was a big part of her life. But I don’t like some of her lines that she uses for description…as an example, I didn’t like the section where she described “being burdened by her talents.” A lot of children across America do not have the ability to ever see an instrument —not just because of “talent,” but because of a lack of financial support or emotional encouragement. I would never consider a “talent” a “burden.” It was a luxury and a blessing that she was raised in an environment, where she was provided with this opportunity. She could’ve just as easily been born in a totally different environment, and her life would’ve been insanely different. Carlson seems to be cognizant of this fact and she expresses it at various points, but some of her lines do not align with the notion. In other words, she may not have been meaning to sound pretentious; and given the chance to interact with my review, she would likely even agree with me about instruments being a blessing / luxury. But nonetheless, I still think it’s important to point out.
My mouth also dropped—literally dropped—whenever I read the section, where she claimed she wanted to be “fat” as a child to avoid being too perfect. I don’t buy this. To be crude and colloquial, I call bull shit.
In spite of these critiques, I found her story more powerful whenever she started talking about the Miss America competition. I like her focus on diligence and perseverance, and I absolutely adored hearing about her children. I also enjoyed her description of her value system; it felt genuine and I appreciated that. Finally, I LOVE her emphasis on failure —the way that failures can lead us to success, if handled effectively.
I read another review that heavily criticized Gretchen’s attitude and called her out for being a “perfectionist” and leading a “boring life.” I couldn’t disagree more. I come from an entirely different background from this woman, but I really identified with her description of perfectionism. To an outsider who may not think this way, it might seem haughty and arrogant. But I would argue, being someone who has spent time feeling and oftentimes struggling with similar emotions, it genuinely is a type of drive that you’re almost born with —one that can be impossible to shake. It can really define who you are, and help you accomplish goals. It can also be painful and difficult at times. Her life wasn’t boring, and I imagine a hateful, bitter person would cast a judgement of this nature. She really did accomplish a lot, and did so many fascinating things that I’ll never get to personally experience. I liked hearing about those.
Overall, I found her story to be inspiring and I am thankful she shared it. If I could offer suggestions though, I would recommend more thought be placed into the phraseology of certain lines.
July 11, 2017
A couple of things made Gretchen Carlson's life story a must-read for me. Both of us began our professional careers in commercial television, both of us are passionate about music, and I now live in Carlson's home town and drive by her family's auto dealership almost every day.
I confess, I don't much remember Carlson's tenure on Fox and Friends, having discovered that network after she left the morning show. Nor did I get to view her short-lived "The Real Story" much just prior to Carlson's departure from Fox.
Having not much exposure to Carlson's video presence, that said, her written autobiography is quite impressive. In these 260 pages you'll find a woman who's totally driven to succeed, as a musician, as a television journalist and as a wife and mother. Even though Carlson was born into a prominent, upper class family with all the advantages, she wasn't always successful in life.
In "Getting Real," Carlson documents her failures as well as her successes as a violinist, as a TV reporter and at home. She shares a lot of the lessons she's learned about life and about parenting.
Personal highlights for this reviewer were the behind-the-scenes stories of Carlson's journalism career at major market television stations in Richmond, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas and New York. Carlson gets real when she relives the painful times when men stepped over the line with her sexually. She unpacks the details of years of harassment from Constantine Kargas, who stalked Carlson from Richmond to Cincinnati before his day in court.
Totally missing from this autobiography are any mention of Carlson's well-publicized, scandalous encounters with her Fox News boss, Roger Ailes. At the time Carlson wrote this, she "thought Ailes was brilliant . . . In person Roger was razor sharp and inscrutable and we seemed to have a real connection. He saw something in me that he liked . . . Over the years I've come to value our time together. He encourages me to be myself, to relax and to not try so hard to look smart." In fact, here Carlson describes Roger Ailes as "the most accessible boss I've ever worked for." Of course, that was before this September 6, 2016 story in the New York Times: "Fox News’s parent company spent $20 million on Tuesday to settle a lawsuit brought by a former anchor, Gretchen Carlson, whose allegations of sexual harassment toppled the network’s powerful chairman, Roger Ailes, and engulfed the company in crisis." Maybe Carlson should add an eleventh chapter to this personal diary. Just to testify what went on between her and Ailes behind closed doors. But, on second thought, maybe that would be "Getting Too Real."
I confess, I don't much remember Carlson's tenure on Fox and Friends, having discovered that network after she left the morning show. Nor did I get to view her short-lived "The Real Story" much just prior to Carlson's departure from Fox.
Having not much exposure to Carlson's video presence, that said, her written autobiography is quite impressive. In these 260 pages you'll find a woman who's totally driven to succeed, as a musician, as a television journalist and as a wife and mother. Even though Carlson was born into a prominent, upper class family with all the advantages, she wasn't always successful in life.
In "Getting Real," Carlson documents her failures as well as her successes as a violinist, as a TV reporter and at home. She shares a lot of the lessons she's learned about life and about parenting.
Personal highlights for this reviewer were the behind-the-scenes stories of Carlson's journalism career at major market television stations in Richmond, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas and New York. Carlson gets real when she relives the painful times when men stepped over the line with her sexually. She unpacks the details of years of harassment from Constantine Kargas, who stalked Carlson from Richmond to Cincinnati before his day in court.
Totally missing from this autobiography are any mention of Carlson's well-publicized, scandalous encounters with her Fox News boss, Roger Ailes. At the time Carlson wrote this, she "thought Ailes was brilliant . . . In person Roger was razor sharp and inscrutable and we seemed to have a real connection. He saw something in me that he liked . . . Over the years I've come to value our time together. He encourages me to be myself, to relax and to not try so hard to look smart." In fact, here Carlson describes Roger Ailes as "the most accessible boss I've ever worked for." Of course, that was before this September 6, 2016 story in the New York Times: "Fox News’s parent company spent $20 million on Tuesday to settle a lawsuit brought by a former anchor, Gretchen Carlson, whose allegations of sexual harassment toppled the network’s powerful chairman, Roger Ailes, and engulfed the company in crisis." Maybe Carlson should add an eleventh chapter to this personal diary. Just to testify what went on between her and Ailes behind closed doors. But, on second thought, maybe that would be "Getting Too Real."
January 29, 2020
I picked this book up mistaking it for “Be Fierce” (post Roger Ailes), but decided to read it anyway. Don’t worry, that’s not why I’m giving it two stars.
To everyone is who is downrating Carlson for talking about herself and “bragging” about her accomplishments — calm down. Carlson is without a doubt an accomplished person who has been through a lot. This is also a memoir, so it really shouldn’t be that surprising that she talks a great deal about her experiences and accomplishments. More women should do this. This also isn’t why I’m giving this book two stars.
No, the reason I’m giving this book two stars is because of the overwhelming white and religious privilege that permeates Carlson’s experiences but isn’t addressed or unpacked. For one, Carlson describes her industrious father as “working like a slave.” For another, Carlson argues that she doesn’t dislike atheists, she just feels compelled to speak out when the nation is veering morally off course; her example of the nation veering morally off course is an atheist organization contesting the placement of a Christian symbol at Ground Zero. Carlson describes this as “crazy.” Both of these comments occur within the first 25 pages of the book.
Another less significant, but still annoying, element of the book is that the writing can be repetitive. On more than one occasion, Carlson both precedes and succeeds quotes of the terrible things people have said to her with some variant of “that gave me a chuckle” or “it makes me laugh.” (This is quite intriguing, but it is Carlson’s experience, and how each woman responds to harassment is her own business, so I won’t pass judgement here.) This book really needs to be revised to cut redundancies like this.
I will go on to read “Be Fierce” in hopes that in addition to confronting sexual harassment in her life, Carlson will have also unpacked some of her privilege. In terms of this book, however, I kind of regret picking it up.
To everyone is who is downrating Carlson for talking about herself and “bragging” about her accomplishments — calm down. Carlson is without a doubt an accomplished person who has been through a lot. This is also a memoir, so it really shouldn’t be that surprising that she talks a great deal about her experiences and accomplishments. More women should do this. This also isn’t why I’m giving this book two stars.
No, the reason I’m giving this book two stars is because of the overwhelming white and religious privilege that permeates Carlson’s experiences but isn’t addressed or unpacked. For one, Carlson describes her industrious father as “working like a slave.” For another, Carlson argues that she doesn’t dislike atheists, she just feels compelled to speak out when the nation is veering morally off course; her example of the nation veering morally off course is an atheist organization contesting the placement of a Christian symbol at Ground Zero. Carlson describes this as “crazy.” Both of these comments occur within the first 25 pages of the book.
Another less significant, but still annoying, element of the book is that the writing can be repetitive. On more than one occasion, Carlson both precedes and succeeds quotes of the terrible things people have said to her with some variant of “that gave me a chuckle” or “it makes me laugh.” (This is quite intriguing, but it is Carlson’s experience, and how each woman responds to harassment is her own business, so I won’t pass judgement here.) This book really needs to be revised to cut redundancies like this.
I will go on to read “Be Fierce” in hopes that in addition to confronting sexual harassment in her life, Carlson will have also unpacked some of her privilege. In terms of this book, however, I kind of regret picking it up.
May 10, 2020
This book is especially interesting since it was written pre-scandal. I think it would have been a whole different book, with about 50+ pages added. It would be interesting to read a book about her now.
One thing I had no idea about Gretchen was that she was a violinist. When she describes her experience with that instrument, I find myself shocked at how proficient she was. When describing Gretchen Carlson, its usually not something that is pointed out.
I personally and am not a fan of pageants, no matter how much Carlson tries to argue that Miss America isn't a beauty pagaent. I think that she did a great job of working to change the process. One of my complaints is that she goes WAY too in depth with some of her descriptions of how it works(I did not want to know any of that stuff).
Her time at Fox was probably the most interesting to me, but I wish it had been more of the book. It only ended up being about 50 pages, and that's what I was most interested in.
Her prose isn't particularly interesting, and while the story anecdotes were good, I didn't feel that the book was properly balanced. The details included would work better if this was a work of fiction, but weren't engaging enough for non-fiction.
Overall, this is a good read, but not in any way amazing. I think that if you're a Fox fan or a Gretchen Carlson fan, I think its worth it. Otherwise, there are probably more interesting and equally important books out there. However, its still a decent book. 6.8 out of 10! Good job Gretchen.
One thing I had no idea about Gretchen was that she was a violinist. When she describes her experience with that instrument, I find myself shocked at how proficient she was. When describing Gretchen Carlson, its usually not something that is pointed out.
I personally and am not a fan of pageants, no matter how much Carlson tries to argue that Miss America isn't a beauty pagaent. I think that she did a great job of working to change the process. One of my complaints is that she goes WAY too in depth with some of her descriptions of how it works(I did not want to know any of that stuff).
Her time at Fox was probably the most interesting to me, but I wish it had been more of the book. It only ended up being about 50 pages, and that's what I was most interested in.
Her prose isn't particularly interesting, and while the story anecdotes were good, I didn't feel that the book was properly balanced. The details included would work better if this was a work of fiction, but weren't engaging enough for non-fiction.
Overall, this is a good read, but not in any way amazing. I think that if you're a Fox fan or a Gretchen Carlson fan, I think its worth it. Otherwise, there are probably more interesting and equally important books out there. However, its still a decent book. 6.8 out of 10! Good job Gretchen.
January 6, 2018
I’ve determined, after reading this book, that I’m simply not a fan of autobiographies due to the me, me, me nature of them. Which is one reason I can’t give it more than 3 stars. Gretchen Carlson comes off in the book as if she’s full of herself (I’m sure due to the fact that it’s an *auto*biography). But based on what I’ve seen of her recently in the media, I think she’s not all about Gretchen - there is more to her. She’s clearly a champion of women and girls, which is why I picked up her book to begin with. I applaud the work she’s doing on behalf of gender parity.
This book was an easy read. Certainly interesting to see how she got started. Based on what I read in the book and her recent media presence over having been named chair of the Miss America Organization I admit that my views of the Miss America pageant have been changed (for the better).
In the wake of the sexual assault/misconduct allegations, she’s a rising star and I think there’s more to come from her - someone to watch in the current political climate.
This book was an easy read. Certainly interesting to see how she got started. Based on what I read in the book and her recent media presence over having been named chair of the Miss America Organization I admit that my views of the Miss America pageant have been changed (for the better).
In the wake of the sexual assault/misconduct allegations, she’s a rising star and I think there’s more to come from her - someone to watch in the current political climate.
December 30, 2019
Pics at end of book, including one with Ronald Reagan. Interestingly, she praises Roger Ailes throughout the book and in the Acknowledgments at the end for giving her the opportunity to work at Fox News. No hint of any problems. She was still at Fox when the book came out. I think she left in 2016. Interesting reading by an interesting woman. She has so much going for her, and I know she has worked hard.
Includes pictures. Read on iPad. Husband is former pro baseball player, now sports agent Casey Close. I enjoyed reading about her experience preparing for and winning the Miss America contest in 1989. It was like being backstage with her and feeling what it was like to be in this exclusive event. I like that she never told her daughter that she won the contest until her daughter learned it from a classmate when she was eight years old. Gretchen talks a good game and seems to hold genuine convictions and some Christian ideals, but her immodest dress, occasional drinking and smoking are not convincing and tend to make her lose credibility.
Includes pictures. Read on iPad. Husband is former pro baseball player, now sports agent Casey Close. I enjoyed reading about her experience preparing for and winning the Miss America contest in 1989. It was like being backstage with her and feeling what it was like to be in this exclusive event. I like that she never told her daughter that she won the contest until her daughter learned it from a classmate when she was eight years old. Gretchen talks a good game and seems to hold genuine convictions and some Christian ideals, but her immodest dress, occasional drinking and smoking are not convincing and tend to make her lose credibility.
May 3, 2022
A VERY ENTERTAINING AND INTROSPECTIVE BOOK ABOUT GRETCHEN CARLSON'S UPBRINGING, FAMILY AND HER JOURNEY THROUGH SCHOOL ON TO WINNING THE MISS AMERICA PAGEANT AND WHAT CAME AFTER. CERTAINLY, AN INTERESTING INSIDE LOOK TO THE CONTEST AND WHAT IT TOOK TO WIN MISS AMERICA. SHE ALSO TELLS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES SHE HAD ABOUT BEING A "CHUBBY" GIRL GROWING UP AND BEING SHORT IN STATURE AND SUPPOSEDLY NOT AS POLISHED AS MOST OF THE OTHER CONTESTANTS. BUT, SHE ALSO EMPHASIZES THE TREMENDOUS SUPPORT SHE GOT FROM HER FAMILY AND THE MENTORS THAT BECAME INSTRUMENTAL IN HER DEVELOPMENT AS A VIOLINIST, A STUDENT AND A TV PERSONALITY THAT FUELED HER PASSION AND DRIVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL. SHE WARNS ABOUT THE RISKS AND PRESSURES THAT SOCIETY PUTS ON YOUNG GIRLS TO LOOK AND ACT PERFECT WHILE HAVING TO OVERCOME VICIOUS AND DEMEANING COMMENTS LIKE SHE DID ALONG THE WAY. CERTAINLY A GOOD BOOK TO READ FOR YOUNG WOMEN THAT EMPHASIZES HER FAITH AND HER DOGGED DETERMINATION TO BE THE BEST SHE COULD BE IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE.
February 28, 2019
Memoir of successful broadcast journalist, who achieved success throughout her life. Beginning at age 5, she played classical violin, including a solo appearance with the Minnesota Orchestra at age 12. Successful in school, she dabbled in beauty contests before entering Stanford. Dropped out of college to prepare for her successful entry in the Miss America competition after which she toured for one year. She returned to Stanford as an honors student and then began her pursuit of a career in broadcast journalism. Culmination of career when appointed to her own show on Fox network. Also married and had children. Ended with her firing from Fox and her lawsuit against them for wrongful discharge and sexual harassment by Roger Ailes. Interesting story of committed woman with parallels to Megyn Kelly's biography.
June 26, 2021
I love Gretchen’s determination and strength through the harsh comments and failures she has had to endure. Most of the book was about her experience becoming “Miss America” and I just didn’t care enough to read through that much. I was hoping to read more about her experience with Fox. I think she has a solid mindset on what it means to go after what you want, but I also think she had a huge stepping stone. She was definitely Privileged growing up. The fact that she said she paid $3,000 for a dress in the contest for Miss America was shocking. I love that she shared her music talents. I am a musician myself, and reading her final chapter hit me emotionally, it really did. I really believed deeply what she was saying. However, I felt like I was reading a book that was intended for individuals with circumstances similar to her own, not for those who come from nothing.
July 20, 2017
The book is a personal memoir from childhood to Carlson as a broadcast journalist on Fox News. The memoir was written before the Fox News scandal with Roger Ailes. Carlson mentions Ailes a few times in this book in a positive outlook.
Carlson's journey as a violin virtuoso and Miss America (1989) is quite fascinating. Carlson delivers an authentic account of her struggles with weight and sexual predators. News journalism is a small part of what defined Carlson as a person. Carlson is an excellent story teller! Follow along with the youtube clips of Carlson's performances to truly experience her memoir.
Carlson's journey as a violin virtuoso and Miss America (1989) is quite fascinating. Carlson delivers an authentic account of her struggles with weight and sexual predators. News journalism is a small part of what defined Carlson as a person. Carlson is an excellent story teller! Follow along with the youtube clips of Carlson's performances to truly experience her memoir.
January 26, 2021
Gretchen Carlson is so banal that she makes Dana Perino look fascinating. For all of her talk about being smart and being a "dumb blonde", she never once wrote anything intelligent. She did reveal that Michelle Bachman was her childhood babysitter. And she said her family thought she had an odd shaped head "as a baby". Which I thought was funny because that's the first thing I noticed about her. This book was, of course, written while she was still suffering from Stockholm Syndrome in fox news' rape pens or whatever they had going.
May 9, 2022
This book is a poignant look at the determination and willpower it takes to be a woman who excels. Her associations to the Miss America pageant helped to see a deeper look into what the pageant is truly about and like from an insiders point of view. Getting to know Gretchen for the person she truly is was refreshing compared to the perceptions id conceived in my head. Great lessons for empowering women
July 13, 2023
Being from Minnesota was interesting to hear about where she lived. I was hoping for information about her personal faith, she didn't reveal much except seemed to think because her grandfather was a preacher she was a Christian too. I was put off by the constant bragging about her accomplishments. I did appreciate her honesty about struggling as a chubby girl but doubt that she was ever over a few pounds overweight.
October 31, 2018
Getting Real details the life of Gretchen Carlson from training since young as an aspiring violinist to winning Miss America and carving her professional career in television news. I admire her main takeaway message that success comes from nothing but pure HARD WORK. A simple, straight-to-the-facts memoir.
December 29, 2020
Someone gave me this book to read; I didn’t know much about Gretchen Carlson, but I was willing to read it because of her Minnesota connection and to hear about her experiences as a woman in the media industry. Her story is interesting but the writing was less than impressive. I give it a strong “Meh.”
April 13, 2022
Good Autobiography on the lady who was Miss America, a child prodigy on the violin, and a Fox News host. This must’ve been written before the Fox “Me Too” scandal, because she doesn’t reference that at all I think that must be in her following book. But I enjoyed reading of her accomplishments in her life in New York City.
October 4, 2017
Excellent. Warm and engaging! Honesty!
August 10, 2018
It was so good. I love on how detailed the author was throughout the entire book.
February 23, 2019
Great book about her life. Encouraging, too.
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