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No Lifeguard on Duty: The Accidental Life of the World's First Supermodel
The life of Janice Dickinson is a story of extremes: uncontrolled energy, mad self-confidence and crushing insecurity, a boundless appetite for life and a ceaseless drive to self-destruct. During the 1970s she was the first lush-lipped, long-stemmed, dark-eyed brunette to break through and become not just a model but a supermodel -- a term she coined for herself.She graced...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
September 1st 2002
by HarperEntertainment
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I bought this book because I can’t stop watching Janice Dickinson’s show, “The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency,” on the Oxygen Channel. Also, I love stories about beautiful women. I read this book in less than 24-hours.
From her deeply troubled her relationship with her parents (her father beat her and her pill-popping Mother and sexually abused her older sister), to her many problematic romantic relationships (she’s been married three times, and, it seems, slept with half the heterosexual men i...more
From her deeply troubled her relationship with her parents (her father beat her and her pill-popping Mother and sexually abused her older sister), to her many problematic romantic relationships (she’s been married three times, and, it seems, slept with half the heterosexual men i...more
I already had a pretty substantial 'thing' for Janice Dickinson before picking this up (ANTM has never been the same without her); I love her take-no-prisoners attitude and wicked sense of humour, and think she'd be the ultimate best friend, and this book definitely did not disappoint.
Starting with her appalling home life, through her getting the door slammed in her face early modelling days, right through to life at the top and the inevitable crash that comes with the party lifestyle, Janice is...more
Starting with her appalling home life, through her getting the door slammed in her face early modelling days, right through to life at the top and the inevitable crash that comes with the party lifestyle, Janice is...more
2 likes · like · see review
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i don't know why, but i expected more from this book. i mean, i guess that i shouldn't have expected that much, but i wanted more! that said, there is a lot here.
it's a kind of no-holds-barred look at janice's life. she doesn't hide things, though i have liked more of the decisions she's made to do things like plastic surgery, etc. than her sexual encounters with sylvester stallone.
and more pictures! i wanted more pictures.
it was a fun easy read. i realize now why she's so angry all the time....more
it's a kind of no-holds-barred look at janice's life. she doesn't hide things, though i have liked more of the decisions she's made to do things like plastic surgery, etc. than her sexual encounters with sylvester stallone.
and more pictures! i wanted more pictures.
it was a fun easy read. i realize now why she's so angry all the time....more
i can't believe i hadn't already added this. anyone can make fun of me, but i stick by this book--i think it is fantastic!
2 likes · like · see review
I've always been fairly indifferent when it came to Janice Dickinson, my only real knowledge of her coming from her time as a judge on American's Next Top Model. I didn't love her, I didn't hate her...I didn't really care either way. But this book just made me love her. The writing is engaging and heartbreaking and frustrating. You find yourself watching her downward spiraling and just keep hoping that eventually she'll get it together. Her stories are hilarious, and the gossip-loving side of me...more
Jan 01, 2012
Edel
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
autobiography-i-loved,
non-fiction
I really enjoyed this. I was not sure what to expect from this. Janice says things as they were even if she does not come out looking great from alot of the details of the book. There is an honesty in that that I liked and I think alot of people would respect that. She does not pretend to be a goody two shoes and was often far from it in the book.She worked hard to get to where she did in life and met very interesting people on the way .. There is plenty of celeb names in this ..
I recommend it,...more
I recommend it,...more
Apr 23, 2011
Jane
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
memoir,
celebrity-memoir
I didn't know anything about Janice before reading this book so maybe I wasn't the target audience. Based on the reviews that I read on goodreads though I thought I would like it more. The first part of the book was more like 3 stars for me because I admired her strength of getting through a difficult childhood, but then when she became famous it started to lose my interest. Too much name dropping for me. I don't know any of the photographers so I didn't really care what she had to say about the...more
I read this book only because there was a copy left in my hotel room on a recent trip-- so why not? Surprisingly, it was a pretty interesting read. All I know of Janice Dickinson is what I've seen on America's Next Top Model, so it was fun to read about her tenure as a world-famous model in the 1980s. This is an interesting look at the modeling industry, but I was even more intrigued, and surprisingly moved, by Janice's battle with abuse, alcoholism and self-loathing. You'll either love her or h...more
Don't judge me, it was surprisingly good
I have to admit I picked this book up expecting it to just be an easy trashy read. The very first chapter, which addresses the horrific abuse Janice suffered from her Father, made me realise this story was going to have much more depth than I expected.
Don't get me wrong there's still plenty of easy trashing reading here as Janice dishes the dirt on her outrageous diva behaviour, drug and alcohol fuelled antics and the sex she's had with a long list of rich and famous men. But what I really like...more
Don't get me wrong there's still plenty of easy trashing reading here as Janice dishes the dirt on her outrageous diva behaviour, drug and alcohol fuelled antics and the sex she's had with a long list of rich and famous men. But what I really like...more
Janice knows how to dish the dirt! I appreciate her candor and humor because she had quite the one-two punch upbringing (as she starts the book out with that) and always refers back to her dad, the "rat bastard," throughout the rest of the book. She does not hold back with her feelings and with her life with celebrities (Bruce Willis, Sly, Cosby, Christie Brinkley to name a few) and all the famous fashion photogs of her day. This is what a celeb trashy bio should be.
Here's a soapy book for my friends! I thoroughly enjoyed this autobiography. Janice, my favorite crazy Top Model judge, had a rough childhood and has led a bizarre adult life. I thought I would come out of this confirming how ridiculous she appears on TV but I actually found her endearing and raw and vulnerable. She's definitely crazy as hell, but in a fun way. Also, it's shocking to see how beautiful she was before the 50-100 plastic surgeries she had.
Sep 03, 2011
Ozma
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Rebecca
Recommended to Ozma by:
Amazon
A truly enjoyable, juicy read, which has it all. Janice freely admits to her shortcomings. I know she comes off as terrible on television, but, once I read this book, I actually started to get her. And the name dropping! Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Sylvester Stallone and on and on and on. Wait until you read what Christie Brinkley did to her! If you are in need of a distracting read, go for this one. You will not be able to put it down!
Apr 22, 2008
Daniel
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Those who enjoy a good read (and a kiss-n-tell)
Recommended to Daniel by:
Jill Miley
This book was loaned to me by a friend (since we both enjoyed watching ANTM). I decided to read it on my vacation in Hawaii (didn't want anything heavy since I was vacationing). To my surprise I was instantly drawn into the world of Janice Dickinson. A woman known for her big mouth and crazy antics has lived more life than most people could even dream of. An abusive father, philandering husbands, drug and alcohol abuse, not knowing the father of one of her children, gracing the covers of all the...more
It was so sincere, I loved hearing her authentic voice and getting to know the real person behind the wild judge on Americas Next Top Model. Her quest for self-discovery is admirable and I found her so likable and funny and brutally honest. I was expecting a fun time, but it really was better and more profound than I expected. Glad I picked it up!
I learned that Janice Dickinson is a bit of a freak. Duh! I read this book when breastfeeding because let's face it, there is no way in hell I would read this in public. In fact, I think nursing Maggie will be the new avenue to read all the crap I have wanted. So beware! It was not a bad book, it was better than staring at the wall.
So far, I know every man who has ever glanced at J. Dickinson wanted to f*ck her, for the 2nd time- since they already have in their minds and came too.
I feel for her at times, empathize with her feelings, but her ego is incredible! Fame monster rears it's ugly head on every page.
On page 191, she just dropped Bruno (aka. B. Willis pre Die Hard days.)
Reading on...
I feel for her at times, empathize with her feelings, but her ego is incredible! Fame monster rears it's ugly head on every page.
On page 191, she just dropped Bruno (aka. B. Willis pre Die Hard days.)
Reading on...
I love this woman! At times I wanted to shake her and tell her to stop messing up her life, but I loved the fact that she knew that anyway. Coming through a nightmare childhood, Janice is strong, to-the-point and completely honest throughout this book. I'm not usually one for biographies, especially of a model - but I wouldn't have missed this one for the world.
Models and memoirs; my two favourite combos! Janice Dickinson’s sharp, biting, witty personality shines through in this autobiography of a young exotic looking girl breaking into the business when all they wanted was the blonde, apple pie look. Even if you aren’t a fan of Janice Dickinson she did make major changes to who we see in our magazines today so it’s a great read just for the history and changes she helped make in the 70’s. Getting a glimpse into her childhood really shows how she got t...more
Let's just say now I know more about Liam Neeson's junk than I want to, and you'll never look at Sly Stallone the same way again. Celeb Trash Book Club scores another winner. Everything a celebrity tell-all should be.
I LOVE Janice! She is beautiful and kick ass. She worked so incredibly hard to get where she is. considering where she came from and what she grew up with... she amazing and deserves every penny/possession she has.
Fluff from beginning to end...kind of like watching (or reading about) a train wreck. You're turned off, but can't stop reading! She could have told her story with a little less vulgarity, and a little more in the way of a timeline, but, hey, it's her story. Not a keeper, but interesting images of the dysfunctional world of high-fashion modeling.
LOVED IT. KEPT ME READING. SHE NAMES DROP ALOT OF CELEBRITY PEOPLE SHE'S ENCOUNTERED IN HER CAREER. ALSO EXPLAINS WHY SHE IS LIKE SHE IS. OUTSPOKEN AND HARD. ALOT ABOUT HER MODELING, HER SEXIPADES & DRUGS/ALCOHOL.
Janice Dickinson is a crazy person, and that's part of her "charm". I read this book in about six hours flat...Her complete candor is compelling - and so is her attitude. Juicy celebrity details abound. Wish my library had the sequel.
I actually really enjoyed this book- it made me see her in a different way- less one dimensional. Her story is sad but she doesn't have a victim angle going- she's tough and honest.
May 12, 2009
Lesa
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone that needs a break from "real" literature
This was pure trash and I loved it! Sex, drugs, glamour, glitter, name dropping, Ferrari driving, globe trotting - what's not to love? This felt just like having a long conversation wtih Janice in the bathroom of a New York club.
I was floored by this book. I read it long after my eyes were burning. Long after I should have gone to sleep. Unbelievable childhood. Even more unbelievable life.
Supermodel Janice Dickinson's first book reads like a first class biography. It touches briefly on her parents' lives, details her early life, and focuses most on her modeling career. It does not skimp on details about her sex life, and this often takes a front seat. However, it is not always included to titilate, but because it played a big role in Dickinson's life, resulting in a paternity mix-up with her daughter.
Being a model in the 70s was exciting, during a time when Studio 54 was the pla...more
Being a model in the 70s was exciting, during a time when Studio 54 was the pla...more
I'm a fan of Janice so naturally I liked it. Interesting autobiography, but oh Janice, your antics never cease to amaze me.
Read review at:
http://letitread.blogspot.com/2010/05...
http://letitread.blogspot.com/2010/05...
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Janice Doreen Dickinson is an American supermodel, fashion photographer, actress, author and agent.
She has recently opened her own modeling agency, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, after judging for four cycles on America's Next Top Model.
More about Janice Dickinson...
She has recently opened her own modeling agency, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, after judging for four cycles on America's Next Top Model.
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“I was in that dark, self-destructive place. I was up one minute, down the next. Soaring and crashing and crashing and soaring; the roller coaster from hell.”
—
5 people liked it
“I am anxious. I am always anxious. I should change my name to Anxiety Dickinson. I am anxious about my little sister. My big sister. My mother. Myself. Life. I am anxious about what to wear, what to eat, what to say, how to breathe.”
—
4 people liked it
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