Take It from Me: Life's a Struggle But You Can Win

by Erin Brockovich, Marc Eliot

Chronicles Brockovich's life, discussing her marriages, divorces, and children; her battle on behalf of the residents of Hinkley, California; and the aftermath of the fame she received due to the movie portraying her story.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Biography, Memoir

194 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2001

About the author

Erin Brockovich is an American legal clerk, consumer advocate, and environmental activist, who, despite her lack of education in the law, was instrumental in building a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) of California in 1993. Her successful lawsuit was the subject of a 2000 film, "Erin Brockovich," which stars Julia Roberts. Since then, Brockovich has become a media personality, hosting the TV series "Challenge America with Erin Brockovich" and "Final Justice on Zone Reality." She is the president of Brockovich Research & Consulting. She also works as a consultant for Girardi & Keese and the New York law firm of Weitz & Luxenberg, which has a focus on personal injury claims for asbestos exposure, and for Shine Lawyers in Australia.

Reviews

[Kressel Housman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never seen the Erin Brockovich movie, and until my boss enrolled me in a paralegal course, I never even realized she was a paralegal. As I soon discovered, though, she is considered a paragon of paralegals. She's mentioned in my text book, and my teacher spoke of her almost with reverence. Well, why not? Her research won the single biggest award in a class action suit ever.

So it's because of my paralegal course that I read this book. I hope to see the movie, too. The book didn't go into that much detail about what she did to win the case. It's more of a self-help/inspiration book, and it's short and light enough that I finished it within a few hours.

What I liked best about the book was that she debunked the image of herself as a "Cinderella story." She wrote the book after the movie made her a household name, but she said that even still, it wasn't happily ever after. For one thing, after she became a millionaire, (between her bonus for the case and the rights to her story,) her ex-husband came skulking back. And I also liked her advice to law students (which I'll apply to myself, a student paralegal): don't do it for the money. Do it to help people get justice.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, inspiring and a must read for everyone!

[Bambi · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an aspiring paralegal who has faced my own share of struggles I love Erin and her book❤️ I love how honest she is about betraying yourself and coming back to love and know who you are. Her honesty about the humanity of being a woman is like a breath of fresh air. I’m so thankful that her life was put in the spot light so I could come to admire her and rely on her story to help me power through!

[Jungsook Chung · Rating 3 out of 5]

I watched the movie abridged ‘Erin Brockovich’, 30 minutes. I wanted to learn more about the tenacity or resilience of the woman who won the case against Pacific Gas & Electric Company when I found out the film was based on a true story. I watched her interview and greatly liked Erin’s attitude. She did not seem to be defending herself when the interviewer attacked her. I became curious to know her better.

Erin Brockovich's Take It From Me(Life’s a Struggle But You Can Win) with Mark Elito was a disappointment. I usually enjoy most of the books I grabbed, but not this one. Erin said that she is dyslexic, which means that she did not write her chronicle. This book is boring because it is filled with lectures instead of episodes of how she won the case. I prefer to hear all the stories of the plaintiff’s troubles, complaints, the intercourses of people and the company, and the procedures of legal battles instead of continuous lectures. ‘Don’t tell us, just show it.’ There were a lot of redundant as well. I will listen to Erin Brockovich on YouTube but I don’t believe I will read a book written by Marc Eliot.

[Luann Habecker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quit a third of the way through. I just expected articulacy and her having something to say and after reading as far as I did, I'm not any clearer on what I was reading than when I began. A lot of rambling and rabbit trails that never really went anywhere. Defending herself, her boobs etc. Didn't gain anything from this. Not worth my time to finish for the sake of finishing.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would’ve been so much better if it was fleshed out into an actual memoir, because Erin Brockovich has enough of a life story for an interesting and compelling one, and not condensed into a wannabe self-help book by a privileged white lady with subtitles like, “Life is Always a Struggle, But You Can Win!”

[Nima · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was prepared to not like this book, as I've never been a big reader on self help books. What I found;however, was that Erin has a fresh, honest,direct way of writing, that you can't help ,but, pay attention to. The book that I was so hell bent on not liking, I not only liked,but, devoured within a day. I also learned a thing or two. If all self-help books were written in this style, I might be taken to read more of them.

[Jess Zerr · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I succeed and eventually write my memoir, I sincerely hope I have the good graces not to be this bitter. (page 25)
She's irritating, that's all I can say about it. everything is someone else's fault and she's the victim. I wanted to hear a rags to riches success story but so far it's let me tell you the ninety ways, even in success, my life still sucks.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved getting Erin's backstory, her take on life and success. What was most valuable was her vulnerability about the rough times - and the list of questions she asked herself, which propelled her into a time of focus and clarity (used those on myself & recommend taking the time to do that!).

[Soozblooz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never saw the movie. Ms. Brockovich pulls no punches, displays no false modesty, is sassy, and admits the goof-ups in her life. I did skip the last 15 pages since that devolved into common sense self-help stuff which doesn't interest me. Fresh voice. Fun.

[Theresa Malloy Lemickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good autobiography that is incredibly honest. Erin Brockovich is a real life hero, and she owns it by doing what she thinks is right no matter what. It was a refreshing, quick read. I really like her style of writing.

[Sara Leeann Ortiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a short, motivational read. I really wish Erin Brockovich expanded her experience and went deeper. The book sort of fell flat as she talked a lot about her Hinkley and didn't do a deep dive of her personal life.

[Kathie Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is small and easy to read but I found that she and I shared many views in life. She just has a colorful way of putting things.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great and interesting story, and of course Erin Brockovich became the name of the movie based on her story. Ms. Brockovich is a remarkable person and a hero of mine!

[Irina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely inspirational!

[Patricia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

FAB - a real woman - not just a blonde with a big chest - so nuch more than you know from the movie - a great motivator - I really enjoyed her isights.

[Anne Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at her views on life and some myths debunked as well.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Inspirational. I love her determination!

[Darcy · Rating 1 out of 5]

meh, disappointed in the writing even with a professional co-writer. Sounded like her motivational speech written 3 times in a small format just to stretch to 190 pages.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

[Darleen Cole warren]

I love this book it was very inspirational, i will take into account on everything that she had to say. to become a better life.