This eBook includes the full text of the book plus the following additional content:
• 50 new photos from Jane Fonda’s persona... read full description
• 50 new photos from Jane Fonda’s persona... read full description
reviews
Dec 16, 2009
steffie
rated it: 
Freakin' Hanoi Jane. Love her or hate her, she's never dull.
A disclaimer of sorts: Jane Fonda was a huge part of my upbringing. Huge. My dad hated her and cursed her name whenever "On Golden Pond" appeared on HBO (which seemed to be all the damn time), and my mother and I did her exercise videos every single day with a frenetic passion that eventually devolved into complete zombified apathy. And then I spent about a year in college watching "Coming Home" over and More...
A disclaimer of sorts: Jane Fonda was a huge part of my upbringing. Huge. My dad hated her and cursed her name whenever "On Golden Pond" appeared on HBO (which seemed to be all the damn time), and my mother and I did her exercise videos every single day with a frenetic passion that eventually devolved into complete zombified apathy. And then I spent about a year in college watching "Coming Home" over and More...
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Jan 22, 2011
Joanne
rated it:
Maybe you didn't have an opinion about Jane Fonda. Many did, and they were often critical: of her anti-war activism, of her Barbarella image, of her choice in marital partners, and the failure of those marriages, of her cosmetic surgery, or of her apparently "cashing in" on the fitness craze (and making us all look bad. Well, put all that "projection" aside, and read her autobiography. In a personal letter to readers on the Amazon site, she says, "I decided to write i
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Dec 30, 2010
Sharon
rated it: 
I enjoyed reading Jane Fonda's new memoir titled My Life So Far. The book really does cover most of her life. In the end of the book she is single and living in Atlanta which is not quite up to date. Well, she is not married but I think I read she is living at least part time in Hollywood now and has a boyfriend there Richard Perry. This is not in the book but I got the book by seeing Jane interviewed on Oprah. Jane is now 72. I think I got that from the Oprah show too.
In her latest More...
In her latest More...
Apr 05, 2010
Phyllis
rated it:
For those of you who missed it the first time around (or weren't born yet), at last Jane Fonda explains what all the fuss was about. She was demonized in the 1960s and 1970s and it's surprising that today she lives in the heart of the American south, considering that she has lived most of her life in places that were considered more "liberal", like France and California.
She is forthcoming in this book about her horrendous early life and the pictures are very telling of their own More...
She is forthcoming in this book about her horrendous early life and the pictures are very telling of their own More...
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Jan 29, 2012
Angeline
rated it:
Surprisingly intimate look. It would be a mistake to define Jane Fonda as the sum total of the one-dimensional icons she embodied: daughter of, actress, sex symbol, wife of, activist, producer, fitness industry pioneer. When nearing 60 - which she calls the beginning of her third act - she began a Life Review of acts I & II. She began with a timeline of her life and journaling what happened. Then delving into how she felt at the time and what still resonated years later. She became aware of diff
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Jun 26, 2007
So far this is a great book, a real insight into a woman so many of us know...yet don't really know. Who would have thought that Jane Fonda would be so insecure. Certainly not me, I've always looked up to her. My god, she's Barbarella--she's been married to some incredible men! Jane is one of the people I've wanted to meet for most of my life and not long ago that wish came true. What a wonderful, funny, loving and intelligent woman.
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Jun 30, 2011
Teotakuu
rated it:
I had always been interested in Jane Fonda so when I was offered an opportunity to add a book to the Bag of Books for $10 that FutureCat was filling I seized the moment. I am very glad that I did.
It is odd how we feel we know someone who has spent so much of their life in the public eye when, of course, we really don't. We know what publicity machines and media tell us and we think we know them from, in her case, the film roles played. The real woman is no less fascinating and complex More...
It is odd how we feel we know someone who has spent so much of their life in the public eye when, of course, we really don't. We know what publicity machines and media tell us and we think we know them from, in her case, the film roles played. The real woman is no less fascinating and complex More...
May 21, 2010
Nancy
rated it: 
I have always felt a bit connected to the Fonda family. My family is from Omaha and my grandmother was at the Omaha Community Playhouse when Henry Fonda began his journey. Ms. Fonda and I are about the same age and as I traveled through the 60's she was very much a part of the journey. I had put off reading her book, because I did not want to be disappointed or have my personal myths and fantasies shaken. Some myths and fantasies were shaken, but I am very glad to have finally picked it up and
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Feb 05, 2009
Jane Fonda is certainly a fascinating character. And, most of the time, her autobiography proves equally fascinating. Her on-the-set character studies of fellow actors are a joy, as is Fonda's thorough examination of her own weaknesses and failings. Her poignant analysis of her relationship with her distant father, Henry Fonda, and suicidal mother touched critics. There are also times, as all critics noted, when her earnestness and self-absorption become cloying. Her writing wavers between catch
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Aug 31, 2011
Anne
rated it:
Interesting autobiography. A look at growing up Fonda...what it was like with Tom Joad as a father. Jane also delves into her early acting career, followed by her time as an anti-war (NOT anti-solder) activist. Along the way she marries 3 very different men (and finds herself changing for each of them). I think all young women should read this book...not because Jane is a saint by any means. But because of the truths she discovered in her life, about learning to love oneself and not put yourself
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Mar 09, 2010
Keith
rated it:
Being in the military I had heard a lot of nasty things said about Jane Fonda because of her activity during Vietnam. I thought it was important to hear her side of the story and to understand it you need to know her past so what better way than her autobiography.
I gave her book three stars because I thought the first 3rd was very slow and the book did not pick up until she hit 30. I will not spend much time on whether or not I agree with what she did or all of her opinions but o More...
I gave her book three stars because I thought the first 3rd was very slow and the book did not pick up until she hit 30. I will not spend much time on whether or not I agree with what she did or all of her opinions but o More...
Oct 03, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Well, I always did admire Jane before and now - LOVE HER!
Her road to her own personal fulfillment and satisfaction is interesting, shocking, sad and funny all at the same time. I learned things about her I never knew before.
Her recount of the 'Hanoi Jane' years was amazing - such bravery and committement. And how she managed to then bring these experiences into such brilliant films is the sign of a true artist.
Love or hate her politics, this is a great read a More...
Her road to her own personal fulfillment and satisfaction is interesting, shocking, sad and funny all at the same time. I learned things about her I never knew before.
Her recount of the 'Hanoi Jane' years was amazing - such bravery and committement. And how she managed to then bring these experiences into such brilliant films is the sign of a true artist.
Love or hate her politics, this is a great read a More...
Aug 31, 2007
David Jay
rated it:
I love celebrity autobiographies.. they are an addiction with me. This one was terrific--intense, preachy, smart, fascinating, very Jane Fonda. Great anecdotes but I think this is more than just a bio; its a bit of a self help book.
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Jan 28, 2012
David
rated it:
I listened to the unabridged audiobook over a couple of weeks of daily commuting. Unlike some celebrities who record their own books, Jane never sounds like she's just reciting what's on the page, nor does it seem like she's "acting". The emotion in her reading comes off as genuine throughout. Acutely aware of how polarizing she has been to some people (and still is--my father-in-law still has a "Vietnam Vets Are Not Fonda Jane" bumper-sticker on his truck 40 years after th
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Aug 29, 2011
Sherry
rated it: 
Well...I picked up this book to find out more about Jane and her relationship with Mental Illness. She does a great job of chronicling her life, but I found she glossed over alot of the deeper reasons for her choices regarding her brushes with Depression ( her mothers death) and was disappointed that she did not mention anything about Ted Turner and his Bi Polarism, nor did she identify Vadim as Hyperthymic which it seems very obvious he was. For the amount of time she spent with Hayden there is
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Aug 12, 2011
I was never particularly fond of Jane Fonda (the book got to me by chance), but I must say I was pleasantly surprised when I read it! lt is not the usual badly written, superficial account of a celebrity's life (although I like these, too ...), but a rather frank autobiography which leaves you with the feeling that it has been written with great care and deep psychological insights. Especially for female readers like me, role-model-wise, it is very interesting and revealing to see that a "p
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Sep 19, 2011
Donna
rated it:
I'd never thought much of Jane Fonda, but having now read her biography and her autobiography in a week, I admire many things about her and see myself in many of her experiences ... many of which I think are common to many women. I related to her experiences in transforming herself depending on the man she was with, and in her "third act" in which she is growing into herself and into her spirituality. I really relate to her dislike of traditional Christian dogma and its often patriar
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Dec 13, 2009
Jglhome
rated it:
Backstory on a very public life. Jane has written a searching, honest book. She has learned something from seemingly everything that has happened in her life, and she's still learning, still on her journey. I really appreciated learning why she did some of the things she's done, how's she feels about acting, what her life with each of her husbands was like. She's pretty careful not to invade their privacy with her disclosures, although she's also honest about her life with each of them. So,
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Feb 18, 2009
Dani
rated it:
An organized, down-to-earth account about Jane Fonda's past growing and learning experiences which I found to be interesting, entertaining and written on such a personable level that I found myself sympathizing or empathizing at some point or another.
My admiration and love for Jane aside (which was newly found after learning so much about her person), following such an introspective and genuine story of her life had changed my perspective in many ways.
Whether you're a fa More...
My admiration and love for Jane aside (which was newly found after learning so much about her person), following such an introspective and genuine story of her life had changed my perspective in many ways.
Whether you're a fa More...
Sep 20, 2009
Surreysmum
rated it:
I thoroughly enjoyed this frank and (thanks no doubt to years of therapy) insightful autobiography by a woman who has always come across to me as a bit brittle. That quality certainly hasn't impeded her success, nor her passion for her current causes. And it sheds some interesting light on both her support of the recent "Toronto Declaration" (protesting TIFF's decision to do a Tel Aviv spotlight this year) and her subsequent partial recantation on her website - both of these now seem e
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Dec 28, 2007
Tanya
rated it:
Every once in a while a person comes along and tells a story about their life that makes you reflect on your own. I caught her on UCTV one morning while getting ready for work. She was speaking at UCSB and her lecture was nothing less than inspiring and motivating. Her name in my house growing up was a bad word. I never quite understood why she was such a hated figure until now. Misconceptions, apologies, this woman walked the trenches of Vietnam and reported the horrors she witnessed. While s
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Sep 09, 2007
Catherine
rated it:
I hope I remember and ingrain some of the lessons Jane Fonda shared from her own life. Candor with mistakes, doubt, and self-betrayal are not easy to come by. For a woman with this brave facade to expose her insecurity so readily and show us behind the doors of troubled relationships so others might have a road map (her goal) - that's a gift. I think her strength and courage will stay with the reader.
Two side comments:
I wish she had not led husbands 2 & 3 vet the chapters More...
Two side comments:
I wish she had not led husbands 2 & 3 vet the chapters More...
Aug 01, 2011
Ronald
rated it:
An interesting overview of an interesting life. Her experiences — especially in the 1960s and 1970s — were helpful in filling out my understanding of what was happening during those times. Although I was somewhat skeptical of her dedication to certain causes, she has shared her feelings and thoughts in an extremely revealing manner, and I believe I even understand now her thing with Ted Turner. I first heard of this autobiography from an interview with Jane on NPR's Morning Edition, and later fr
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Dec 30, 2009
Maureen
rated it:
I have a connection to Jane, I have many things in common. A strong father to try to "live up to", strong men I have been attracted to which are not always easy to be in relationship with, her love of Montana where I grew up and having run a teenage pregnancy prevention program--my shared interest in trying to help young women with reproductive choice. The book resonated with me on many levels, wish I knew Jane personally but this book made me feel at times like I did.
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Jan 26, 2009
Again, another biography for me. I always found myself intrigued by the woman so, despite the overwhelming length of the book, I dove in. I was not disappointed in any way, shape, manner, or form. There are aspects of her life that, if we approach it with an open mind, we can relate too. You can't judge a book by its cover certainly applies to this remarkable woman's life, and I applaud her even more after this read, whether you agree with her politics or not.
Dec 17, 2009
Kira
rated it:
For some reason, my parents gave me this book for my birthday a few months ago. Yet I have never, in my recollection, even mentioned Jane Fonda to them in conversation ever. I don't think I've even ever thought about her, except when someone once told me her home aerobic videos are the highest selling home videos of all time.
Nonetheless, I started reading her autobiography on the long plane ride home recently, and became completely engrossed in her story. As with most autobiographie More...
Nonetheless, I started reading her autobiography on the long plane ride home recently, and became completely engrossed in her story. As with most autobiographie More...
Feb 04, 2009
This book illustrates how painfully honest someone whom we thought had it all, reveals what she did not have, what she longed for and what she was able to earn thru diligence, passion and plain old hard work. She bears her soul, gives her endless, selfless efforts to so many and expects so little in return. It is sad at times and evokes sympathy toward someone whom much of the world misunderstands. The end of the war is part of her doing,Thanks GI Jane!
May 18, 2010
Katherine
rated it:
Jane Fonda seems very earnest. She's had a fascinating life, done a lot of interesting things, and met a lot of amazing people. I admire her accomplishments and her ability to reflect upon her past, her choices, her mistakes, and her failures. At times, her earnestness grew just a tiny bit tiresome and I started to feel like I was being lectured, by a very sincere, thoughtful person--but still, a lecture. But I ended up feeling a lot of respect for her.
Oct 26, 2009
Judith
rated it:
I read this because I just finished "Call Me Ted" by Ted Turner and I wanted to see what she said about him.
It's very informative. I am a peacenic so I already agreed with her on ending the Viet Name War. She made a few errors and the media always takes to extreme. She not confident and she always wanted to please her Dad which I knew. She's much more talented then she thinks.
I'll probably rewatch and watch her movies after reading this.
It's very informative. I am a peacenic so I already agreed with her on ending the Viet Name War. She made a few errors and the media always takes to extreme. She not confident and she always wanted to please her Dad which I knew. She's much more talented then she thinks.
I'll probably rewatch and watch her movies after reading this.
Jun 13, 2009
Anne
rated it:
What a woman...describes her early life with famous parents and the ongoing difficulties with her father and how this is resolved.. her mother had either depression or manic depression...reveals her marriages to Vadim and others and her growth as a feminist throughout..her Vietnam war years etc..and how she is at peace with herself now..blah blah...I thought it was an honest and revealing autobiography..makes you feel proud to be a woman
