The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives

Katie Couric is one of a few handfuls of humans on the planet that have had the opportunity to be exposed to some of the greatest (and worst/evil) minds and personalities of this world.This book offers snippets into the minds and thoughts of just a few hundred of these accomplished people, however, each one is like a piece of gold of knowledge without all of the fluff around it.I am a journalist (mostly about food and travel these days)and have met some pretty amazing people along the way, including Katie.With the exception of a very few, each one of these people I've met have passed pearls of knowledge onto me each time I meet one of them. Which in my much smaller universe is still significant.Comparatively, this book shows Katie's simple yet unparalleled genius and the gifts of knowledge given to her in her already amazing career by the people she has met along the way.Her understated and 'girl next door' attitude and personality disarms her interviewees to share their thoughts, ideas and wisdom which she has wonderfully passed onto us in snippet form.Because of her perceived understated and familiar personality qualities, some people overlook the full impact and magnitude of the news and information she passes onto us in this book and her shows.Reading her book I first thought..."CRAP!!!... I SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK LIKE THIS"... then quickly realized, I have never met the depth or heights of the people, celebrity, world leaders and infamous she has met.C'mon! This is the lady that took Presidential running mate Sarah Palin down with one interview of subtle genius which was like giving Sarah Palin the rope to hang herself and Katie saying via just the right interview questions, "Go ahead, let's see just how quickly you can hang yourself with it"... which metaphorically Mrs. Palin proceeded to do in her 'Palin' fashion.America should be proud we have a living journalist of such ability, integrity and honesty amongst us in a sea of sellouts, sensationalists and to put it quite bluntly...morons.Uncle Walt (Walter Cronkite, Jr.) and Mr. Edward R. Murrow would both be proud.BTW...(Katie Couric is a two time recipient of 2008 and 2009 Edward R. Murrow Award and 2008 Walter Cronkite Award for Journalism Excellence)OMG... I JUST REALIZED I'M A KATIE COURIC FAN!?!Buy the book, you will never regret it.A MUST READ

I listened to this book in the car and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, so much so that I ended up ordering the paperback version. While it might appear that the selected essays and presentations are geared mainly towards young people, there is something within the book for all ages. Anyone who's thinking of making a change but is uncertain or afraid will find encouragement and know-how from the people who have been there, done that.As a psychology instructor in a two-year college, I'm always on the lookout for class material, and this book is a virtual treasure trove. Yesterday I shared some of Jay Leno's advice on marriage as we discussed transitions in young adulthood, and today I'm going to mention Steve Martin's quote about security from E.E Cummings' "Unstructured Lectures." From saying yes to being bold, it's all in there. Working hard is there too. So is handling rejection, something that Katie Couric encountered from many times.Bill Clinton, Maya Angelou, Matt Lauer, Tyra Banks, and dozens of other successful people are included. Though some people have actually complained that Couric included only the best and the brightest, I'm wondering why anyone would want to read a collection of essays from dozens of losers.

This book is a collection of short essays written by people who have already achieved success. Yes, the advices are nothing new, especially for adults. But I'm a firm believer in that you are never too old to learn or be reminded of your life's priorities. With today's mass media (or should I say, mass hysteria?), it's hard to keep your head straight. There are just too many noises (and too many commercials!) It was nice to turn off the TV and PC and just read. I enjoyed reading everybody's essay EXCEPT Donald Trump's, and that's because I despise the man.This book will make a wonderful graduation gift and the proceed from the sale will go directly to the Scholarship America, a foundation that helps the students afford to go to college. Thanks, Katie, well done!5/25/11 - author Kathryn Stocket's book "The Help" was rejected sixty times. She never gave up, sneaking off to hotels on the weekends to write and rewrite her novel. It paid off big time! I just saw a commercial showing that her book was made into a movie! It will be out on 8/12/11.

Words shared by successful people - that makes you realize, “they’re human just like me”. Humble and valuable advice. I’m late in my career and am a senior now - yet still find the advice invaluable.A pleasure to read.

This is a great book for a little inspiration. I bought this a while back, when I started my internship at a major corporation - hoping it would enlighten and motivate me through my time.Two years later, I still haven't read all of the passages, and I like it that way. I keep it on my shelf, and every once in a while I pick it up, find the category that I need encouragement in, and read.This would also be a wonderful gift for a graduation of any kind.

I read this book for my book club. I completely expected that the advice be words of wisdom given to Katie Couric over the course of her life/career. I wasn't completely disappointed to learn how she collected the various essays but I was shocked at the lack of inspiration that various authors provided. I would think that given the title, there would be some stellar advice given. Not so...I found the quality of writing poor and the scope of advice limited. While I was disappointed, there were some gems hidden within all the text. Therefore, I give the book at three out of five stars.

I bought 6 copies of this book to give to high school graduates. I bought a copy for my daughter but have been reading it myself. I like that I can read one or two essays at a time, then come back to it and read more. I hope the kids I bought it for pick it up and read it, even if they read only a few stories. I think it will help them get through the rough patches in life. I wish I had this book when I was in college. :)

this book is full of anecdotes from people of varying nationalities and backgrounds who have achieved in some way or other and as the title implies their advice on life is not only helpful but at times inspirational. The transaction was faultless and simple thanks

I'm not a big Katie Couric fan, but I must admit that she had a great idea when she decided to compile these life lessons shared by such a wide range of well-known people. An ideal book for intermittent holiday reading!

Useful book. Enjoyed reading it. Some good advice from various Celebs. But nothing lasting or life changing. Buy it as I said useful

Ce livre est un condensé de bon sens et de conseils réchauffés du type "Il faut croire en soi et travailler très dur en y mettant son cœur", déclinés à plusieurs sauces et estampillé de plusieurs noms célèbres. L'équivalent d'entendre une mannequin dire que son seul secret beauté, c'est de boire de l'eau... On n'apprend rien et on a la sensation de s'être fait floué.Rien dans ce livre ne changera votre vie ou provoquera une épiphanie, hélas. Sans compter sur les stars qui balancent un conseil bidon du genre "Ne faites jamais confiance à un orang-outan habillé en banane.", cela nous rappelle que leurs pieds ne touchent plus terre et que parce qu'ils sont connus, ils sont forcément hilarants, extraordinaires et bien sûr, inspirants.De quoi grincer des dents quand on lit la tribune de Donald Trump, qui invite les gens à travailler dur comme lui pour réussir comme lui.

For all those who are down in the dumps..pick this one up as a must! A great read and a go to book for whenever some motivation is needed.