Still Standing: The Untold Story of My Fight Against Gossip, Hate, and Political Attacks

by Carrie Prejean, Sean Hannity (Foreword)

There’s nothing the liberal media love to attack more than a conservative celebrity. Unless it’s a female conservative celebrity. Make that a beautiful female conservative celebrity.

So, when a California beauty queen had the audacity – the nerve – to stand up for traditional marriage in front of a national televised audience, well then, the liberal media went crazy. They called her every vile name in the book – while feminists around the country were oddly silent. Like Sarah Palin, Laura Bush, Ann Coulter and so many before her, Carrie Prejean was vilified for not being the modern American woman that NOW had in mind.

But through it all, Carrie Prejean, former Miss California, maintained her composure, courage, faith—and stood her ground. Not many 22-year-old women find themselves thrust into the national spotlight. Fewer still are willing to stand up for what they believe, even when it costs them a national title and subjects them to vicious personal attacks.

In her new book, Still Standing, Carrie gives readers the inside story, and the clear message that conservative women are here to stay. From the pageant’s political and manipulative tactics, to Carrie’s fight against unfair attacks from Hollywood and the media, and her never-before-published conversations with Donald Trump and Sarah Palin, Carrie reveals the story the media didn’t report but America wants to hear. Carrie has a message for Hollywood and the mainstream media – but she also has a message for young women everywhere. Still Standing exposes the media’s hypocritical practice of “free speech for me but not for thee” and shatters the myth that a woman can’t be influential and Conservative.

Carrie Prejean has already been a media sensation. Still Standing proves that she’s more than just a pretty face – she’s a strong woman of admirable religious, political, and moral substance, and she’s one of the leaders in a new movement championing conservative women everywhere.

Genres: Memoir, Politics

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Caroline Michelle "Carrie" Prejean Boller is an American model, author, former Miss California USA 2009 and Miss USA 2009 first runner-up. Prejean received national attention in 2009 through a series of events that occurred after pageant judge and gossip blogger Perez Hilton used his final question in the Miss USA pageant to ask Prejean about same-sex marriage laws in the United States, and used his popular gossip blog to publicize her response. Hilton, who is gay, thought that her views were prejudicial. Later, Prejean was stripped of her Miss California USA crown for alleged breaches of contract. Contentious litigation between Prejean and the Miss California organization was settled in November 2009. Later that month, Prejean released a book relating the story from her point of view.

Reviews

[James Laginess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally despise liberals and found this to be a Very Good book about Carrie Prejeans ordeal as Miss California...and although Carrie almost crosses the line into Bible Thumping; I share and respect her viewpoints about marriage and found her book to be very genuine and refreshing. In fact after reading, I truly believe Carrie exemplifies a person with unique character and is exactly what I imagine a real woman to be. The only unfortunate aspect of this story which I now find myself considering, is how Evangelical Christians possibly exploited her too but in a different way then the Miss America Pageant...but I guess only Carrie would know if this were true or becoming true and if I ever met her that is one of the questions I would love to ask her.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still think there isn't a militant hate-filled gay agenda in this country? Give this book a read.

[Tara]

I'm not sure what to rate this book, because I didn't take it seriously and it was pretty much what I expected. If you're wondering what to think of Carrie Prejean and this book, let me give you a quote: "There are few women I respect more than Sarah Palin[.:]" If you also respect Sarah Palin, this is definately the book for you. If you don't respect Sarah Palin, this might still be the book for you. ;D

I'm sure there are people who have given this book to young girls in an attempt to show them a good role model (as Carrie goes on about for an entire chapter, where she says Miley Cyrus is unworthy of being a role model. I'm not sure why; last I checked, she didn't have a sex tape. Maybe she's bffs with Shanna Moakler?) This role model idea is unfortunate, because Carrie is none too bright, spouting such ideas as: if men and women aren't brought together in marriage, children won't have parents; a former mayor of that den of iniquity, San Francisco, attempted to be the pope by "forcing" Catholic Charities to give benefits to domestic partnerships; and the best one, on the rumor that her mother was a lesbian: "by far, one of the most humorous attacks, considering my mother is one of the most womanly women I know." That's funny, because I know some lesbians who are womanly. In fact, all of them are. Because they're women. WTF.

In the end, whatever you do, get this at the library. It's under 200 pages and the cover price is $27.95.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a very opinionated book by a very conservative "woman". Although I am fairly liberal, I am open to reading opposing views. However, this reads similar to that of a teenage tantrum. The writing level alone is borderline insulting, maybe 5th grade reading level? She is offended and violated by the names she has been called because of her beliefs, BUT turns around and does it to others in the book? I'm working on finishing the last thirty pages, but it's very difficult. Let's just say the content could have been covered in thirty pages, not 193. I do believe in giving credit where it is due.... Good for this young girl to stand by her beliefs, that demonstrates grit.

(IMO this is the story of a girl with no worldly experience demonstrating judgement on others, offended though when she herself is judged.)

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read Carrie's side of the story, especially because I dind't really follow the story in the media, I only knew enought that she had her crown taken away and she had to answer a question about marriage.

The book was to be expected in that it was mostly Carrie telling her side of the story, defending herself, and coming off as she did nothing wrong.

I liked her point about the liberal media vs. conservatives and found some truth in it. Her last chapter encourages girls and women to stand up for what they believe and not to allow people to push them into something they are uncomfortable with. That is a positive message.

[Ashley Macmillan-cardy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up recently after coming across some of Carrie Prejean's interviews on YouTube. I actually enjoyed this book, and found it to be quite an eye opener. Whether you agree with Prejean's views or not, her right to freedom of speech does stand, and she was discriminated against because she exercised that right. At times she does come off as bitter and immature, but one has to remember she is young, and what she went through was not easy. It was an interesting read, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in beauty pageants or politics.

[Ashley Enderton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be useful for a teenage girl who might be feeling pressured to go against her values or is confused even about what values are important to her. I think then, yes she would benefit from this book. Other than that, it was interesting to read about the behind-the-scenes world of pagentry and some of the obstacles Carrie has had to overcome, but I wish the truth truth would come out... can she really be as innocent as she comes off in this book? I would hope so.

[A. Aïda · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting story worth examining if you were intrigued by the "scandal" that surrounded it. Not the best writing I've ever read, but Prejean never claimed to be Jane Austen. Overall an okay book.

[Dan McMillan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this because I saw the news about the controversy at the Miss USA 2009 pageant about same-sex marriage. While I did not agree with her answer, the media blowback was harsh. She released this book at the end of that year and I read it then and to start 2010. It was good to see another viewpoint and where she was coming from. Sometimes it is just good to get other perspectives even if you do not agree.

[Dannielle Norwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was inspiring and uplifting. The last few chapters were the absolute best when she offers advice to young people based on what she learned from her mistakes. I am really impressed by this young woman by her courage, strength, dignity, and her ability to write with such eloquence. She has a beautiful heart as well as being beautiful on the outside.

[Tish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't wait for this book to come out after hearing about her story. I got it the day it came out & was amazed by what all she went through. This is truly a great true life story and intrigued me so much. Never stop standing up for your beliefs. I'd love to read it again!

[Mary Elizabeth Morton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am proud of Carrie for having the strength to stand up for what she believes in. Way to go girlie!