What do you think?
Rate this book
Raising Trump: Family Values from America's First Mother
In Raising Trump, Ivana Trump reflects on her extraordinary life and the raising of her three children—Donald Jr., Eric, and Ivanka—and recounts the lessons she taught her children as they were growing up.As her former husband takes his place as the 45th President of the United States, his children have also been thrust into the media spotlight—but it is Ivana who raised them and proudly instilled in them what she believes to be the most important life loyalty, honesty, integrity, and drive. Raising Trump is a non-partisan, non-political book about motherhood, strength, and resilience. Though Ivana writes about her childhood in communist Czechoslovakia, her escape from the regime and relocation to New York, her whirlwind romance, and her great success as a businesswoman, the focus of the book is devoted to Ivana’s raising of her children. Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump will all contribute their own memories to the book. “Every day, people ask me how I raised such great kids. They are truly amazed when I tell them that there was no magic to their upbringing. I was a tough and loving mother who taught them the value of a dollar, not to lie, cheat, or steal, respect for others, and other life lessons that I’ll share now in Raising Trump, along with unfiltered personal stories about Don, Eric, and Ivanka from their early childhood to becoming the ‘first sons and daughter.’” —Ivana Trump
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2017
190 people are currently reading
870 people want to read
About the author
Ivana Trump
11 books13 followersIvana Trump was a Czech-American businesswoman, author, socialite, and former fashion model. She was the first wife of Ex-President Donald Trump. They had three children: Donald John Jr., Ivanka, and Eric Fredrick.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
Want to read
October 10, 2017This book seems petty as hell. Ivana, I believe you. You are the real "First Lady"
October 22, 2020
This is more of an autobiography of Ivana Trump with a special focus on her children (and written contributions from Don Jr, Ivanka, and Eric). She’s had an interesting life and her book is very readable. There’s barely a bad word about Donald Trump and that’s just as well, because despite picking this book, I am sick of reading about him. It was an accidental break from him.
I don’t buy it though. 1) She claims Donald wasn't particularly rich when she married him. Compared to what? He paid the tab for her entire table of models, right? And we all know he inherited all of his wealth from his father and made investments that only cost him money. 2) Also, hard work is nice, but what about all the hard-working employees Trump failed to pay? 3) I'm glad that she feels she worked hard at the family business but who was going to tell her otherwise if she was slacking? How would she have qualified for such a job in the first place if it wasn't the family business? 4) But okay, supposing she did work hard, if you happen to be at the intersection of hard work and good luck it’s easy to say that hard work got you where you are. But what about all the many people who work just as hard for their whole lives and don’t get a fraction of the pie? To overlook them or to purposely look away is to miss the entire story.
I don’t buy her biased view of her children, here they are supporting the worst administration in my lifetime so I snorted reading about her children’s charities when Donald Trump stole money from his and Eric resigned from his for reasons that are unclear to me from news stories.
It's my experience that people that struggle in communist regimes tend to over-value ambition and the accumulation of money precisely because their lack of political freedom was tied to a lack of economic freedom. I despise tyranny, and I am not advocating laziness, but I think the helping professions are of greater spiritual value than those in which the only focus is the accumulation of wealth. And when the accumulation of wealth results in active harm to employees (such as those Donald did not pay) it is an evil.
I don’t buy it though. 1) She claims Donald wasn't particularly rich when she married him. Compared to what? He paid the tab for her entire table of models, right? And we all know he inherited all of his wealth from his father and made investments that only cost him money. 2) Also, hard work is nice, but what about all the hard-working employees Trump failed to pay? 3) I'm glad that she feels she worked hard at the family business but who was going to tell her otherwise if she was slacking? How would she have qualified for such a job in the first place if it wasn't the family business? 4) But okay, supposing she did work hard, if you happen to be at the intersection of hard work and good luck it’s easy to say that hard work got you where you are. But what about all the many people who work just as hard for their whole lives and don’t get a fraction of the pie? To overlook them or to purposely look away is to miss the entire story.
I don’t buy her biased view of her children, here they are supporting the worst administration in my lifetime so I snorted reading about her children’s charities when Donald Trump stole money from his and Eric resigned from his for reasons that are unclear to me from news stories.
It's my experience that people that struggle in communist regimes tend to over-value ambition and the accumulation of money precisely because their lack of political freedom was tied to a lack of economic freedom. I despise tyranny, and I am not advocating laziness, but I think the helping professions are of greater spiritual value than those in which the only focus is the accumulation of wealth. And when the accumulation of wealth results in active harm to employees (such as those Donald did not pay) it is an evil.
October 19, 2017
NOT WHAT YOU THINK
I'll be honest -- I went in to this book VERY skeptical, especially after all the news coverage about the "real first lady" business. That's why I was stunned to discover that this is actually a warm, wonderful, and perhaps most surprising of all, WELL WRITTEN book that is all about motherhood and family values. It's not about picking fights, it's about the things that really matter. I'm a mother, and it was so refreshing to get this account of a strong woman raising her children in the right way -- I'll tell you, it makes me feel a little better about some of the things going on today. Oh and FYI, this book doesn't have a bad word in it about Melania or pretty much anyone else.
I'll be honest -- I went in to this book VERY skeptical, especially after all the news coverage about the "real first lady" business. That's why I was stunned to discover that this is actually a warm, wonderful, and perhaps most surprising of all, WELL WRITTEN book that is all about motherhood and family values. It's not about picking fights, it's about the things that really matter. I'm a mother, and it was so refreshing to get this account of a strong woman raising her children in the right way -- I'll tell you, it makes me feel a little better about some of the things going on today. Oh and FYI, this book doesn't have a bad word in it about Melania or pretty much anyone else.
December 13, 2017
This book was exactly what I needed to read right now. I laughed out loud multiple times because Ivana is frank, open & witty. It's easy to see why she & Donald were attracted to each other & also why they didn't last together. Obviously she raised some fantastic kids & her parenting advise is pretty great. I appreciated the input from her kids sprinkled throughout the book. A great, easy, light-hearted read.
October 28, 2017
This book is a memoir written by Ivana Trump, the first wife of President Donald Trump.
The first part of the book is about her early life growing up in communist Czechoslovakia. I did not know that she had been a serious skier - almost making it to the Olympics. Her early life and challenges were interesting to read about.
The rest of the book focuses mostly on how she raised her three children. She was strict and had "old world values" and made the kids work for things rather than just giving them everything. She was also a working parent - running multiple businesses for her husband while the children were little. She had the help of two nannies and her parents who visited for extended periods of time. Ivana is clearly proud of her children and includes short stories written by each of her children about their childhood. The kids supported their mother in writing the book by adding their own memories.
What turned me off about this book was Ivana's constant bragging. She states that if you are not the best at something - why even bother. She then goes on to say that she is the best at everything she does - motherhood, business, skiing, her appearance, etc. I find that people who really are the best at something don't have to shout it out loud constantly. I really tired of listening to her bragging by the middle of the book....and it never stopped - it continued until the end of the book with her bragging that although she is 68 that she does not look or act like an "old biddy" like others her age.
Ivana has had an interesting life and her memoir is surprisingly readable. However, I didn't enjoy her constant bragging. Having read the book, I think she would be a difficult person to have as a mother. She is very demanding and seemed to value achievement (being the best) more than happiness.
The first part of the book is about her early life growing up in communist Czechoslovakia. I did not know that she had been a serious skier - almost making it to the Olympics. Her early life and challenges were interesting to read about.
The rest of the book focuses mostly on how she raised her three children. She was strict and had "old world values" and made the kids work for things rather than just giving them everything. She was also a working parent - running multiple businesses for her husband while the children were little. She had the help of two nannies and her parents who visited for extended periods of time. Ivana is clearly proud of her children and includes short stories written by each of her children about their childhood. The kids supported their mother in writing the book by adding their own memories.
What turned me off about this book was Ivana's constant bragging. She states that if you are not the best at something - why even bother. She then goes on to say that she is the best at everything she does - motherhood, business, skiing, her appearance, etc. I find that people who really are the best at something don't have to shout it out loud constantly. I really tired of listening to her bragging by the middle of the book....and it never stopped - it continued until the end of the book with her bragging that although she is 68 that she does not look or act like an "old biddy" like others her age.
Ivana has had an interesting life and her memoir is surprisingly readable. However, I didn't enjoy her constant bragging. Having read the book, I think she would be a difficult person to have as a mother. She is very demanding and seemed to value achievement (being the best) more than happiness.
February 22, 2018
I loved this book, and couldn't put it down, and just wanted it to continue. Ivana Trump tells about her life growing up in Communist Czechoslovakia, and how she excelled at skiing to be able to leave the country. She "married" a friend, an Austrian skier named Alfred Winklmayr, to be able to leave country legally and divorced him after two years. Her parents gave her a strong work ethic and she met Donald Trump when she was a model. They married, and she raised the children with her ethics so they did not become spoiled like other rich families. The children all add little comments throughout the book. Even after the divorce, she worked at her own jewelry line, with HSN. She never said a bad word about Donald to her children, and kept her dignity.
October 18, 2017
Easy, interesting & fun read
December 11, 2017
Ivana Trump is possessed of an outsized personality, an irreverent and opinionated outlook on life, and a huge love for her children and grandchildren. There wasn't much about Donald Trump in this book, and that was fine. What was interesting to me was reading about Ivana's childhood in communist Czechoslovakia, which seemed as happy as it did difficult; the way she raised her children, which was very tough-love and demanding; and the ostentatious lifestyle she enjoyed. Personally, what I took away from this book was that Donald and Ivana had a happy, entitled family life until he got involved with Marla Maples. But on the other hand, maybe that's just what Ivana wants us to think. Who can really know?
October 14, 2017
What a surprise!!!!!
I read this book in two days. Let me tell you how shocked I was to really enjoy this book. It was very interesting and revealing. She did a great job with her children and she is a very strong woman. Loved this book!!!
I read this book in two days. Let me tell you how shocked I was to really enjoy this book. It was very interesting and revealing. She did a great job with her children and she is a very strong woman. Loved this book!!!
February 25, 2018
I really enjoyed this honest , no holds barred book by Ivana Trump and read it in one sitting. I'm actually old enough to remember the scandal and reason of her breakup with the Donald. What I didn't know was much of her background which she provided in this book , that she grew up under Soviet rule and was able to legally get out. That she didn't just leave her parents behind to find her future. In reading her story, I have gained a great respect for Ivana as a woman, a wife, a mother and a daughter for the strength she has maintained in difficult situations while retaining her poise. You have to give her credit for bringing up her children with high standards and moral fiber. Well done, Ivana!
November 15, 2017
I hate Trump, but this book is mostly well-written, especially when recounting personal history. I really disliked when the children wrote their accounts - it wreaked with privilege and revisionist history. Ivana is a great storyteller and has a knack for connecting her stories to form a cohesive narrative.
March 6, 2018
Ivana Trump is a narcissist, there's no doubt. This book is full of her bragging about how wealthy she is. The book overflows with "name dropping"--people, places and things of the ultra-rich and famous.
As much as it irritates me to admit it, I must admire Ivana's parenting style.
As much as it irritates me to admit it, I must admire Ivana's parenting style.
October 24, 2017
Ivana Trump is more than just the head of the first wives club
November 7, 2017
3.5 stars if I could. I️ enjoyed reading about the kids childhood however I️ am conflicted in my feelings about her!
October 29, 2018
I had to force myself to read this one. I thought it was going to be some type of juicy stormi Daniels type of ish but nope ! It stuck to the title.... then I remembered there was a clause were Ivana CANNOT talk about her marriage (in depth) and the divorce proceedings. Her meeting the Trump family was funny they bickered amongst eachother , were successful tight asses, & Donald got mad at her when she didn't order steak (omg lmao). I read "I had a good life" over a thousand times in this book okay girl we get it.
When she first meet D.Trump they both looked homely looking (He still does) he seemed gone all the time no wonder she was the socialite what else was there to do. I wonder why her and D didn't think to do some good in her own country. She liked her job I wish I could see some of her designs. Her children grew up to be Republican so I wonder if she's with the same party. And she kept hinting that her daughter might run for president (hmm.....).... She said she's not bitter about not being the F.L.O.T.U.S but she kept saying she's the first mother blah....blah....blah..... Yeah right if this was 15 years ago you would fall into place like Melania...... it was funny how she got her kids to do stuff when they were younger "if you don't learn to ski Rick won't be able to make money to feed his children" lmao.
And as a Trump I'm mad she didn't have the woman Trudy who watched her son put in jail she left him unattended then let him fall to break his leg hell no wtf do rich people be thinking. Alot of her problems were rich people problems if you asked me. Even when she shamelessly found out she was getting cheated on she threw all her anger (bookwise) into the other woman down talked her like a dog (lmao).
"I'm Marla. I love your husband do you?" Omfg I thought it would be a showdown but all Ivana said was
"Of course I love my husband get out of here" instead of running away she should've read that woman for the filth and explain how the heLL did she show up for family time.
It was sad 2 of her lovers passed and the other two cheated on her. And she still remained friends with them WTF. she didnt expose too much & kept it clean enough so she wouldnt risk being sued. Certain parts of the book were confusing she would be boosting about her divorceė life then the next chapter she's married to Trump (flashback).
I did like the kind words she had to say about Michael Jackson:). The book was really about her & the kids but how could it be raising Trump if they had nannies this book should've been called birthing trumps (lol).
She was very forth telling with all her luxury I found myself turning the pages saying "damn can a sista like me live this good". She didn't seem very maternal she popped them kids out, hired some help , then went back to work she seemed so self centered. But nothing less her children love her but I was wondering if maybe her IUD would've worked would they have been born. This was a slow read for me I thought she would go against the grain but she didn't she painted Trump like a semi angel. Sounds like she still loves HIM. I wonder what's her dating life like now.
When she first meet D.Trump they both looked homely looking (He still does) he seemed gone all the time no wonder she was the socialite what else was there to do. I wonder why her and D didn't think to do some good in her own country. She liked her job I wish I could see some of her designs. Her children grew up to be Republican so I wonder if she's with the same party. And she kept hinting that her daughter might run for president (hmm.....).... She said she's not bitter about not being the F.L.O.T.U.S but she kept saying she's the first mother blah....blah....blah..... Yeah right if this was 15 years ago you would fall into place like Melania...... it was funny how she got her kids to do stuff when they were younger "if you don't learn to ski Rick won't be able to make money to feed his children" lmao.
And as a Trump I'm mad she didn't have the woman Trudy who watched her son put in jail she left him unattended then let him fall to break his leg hell no wtf do rich people be thinking. Alot of her problems were rich people problems if you asked me. Even when she shamelessly found out she was getting cheated on she threw all her anger (bookwise) into the other woman down talked her like a dog (lmao).
"I'm Marla. I love your husband do you?" Omfg I thought it would be a showdown but all Ivana said was
"Of course I love my husband get out of here" instead of running away she should've read that woman for the filth and explain how the heLL did she show up for family time.
It was sad 2 of her lovers passed and the other two cheated on her. And she still remained friends with them WTF. she didnt expose too much & kept it clean enough so she wouldnt risk being sued. Certain parts of the book were confusing she would be boosting about her divorceė life then the next chapter she's married to Trump (flashback).
I did like the kind words she had to say about Michael Jackson:). The book was really about her & the kids but how could it be raising Trump if they had nannies this book should've been called birthing trumps (lol).
She was very forth telling with all her luxury I found myself turning the pages saying "damn can a sista like me live this good". She didn't seem very maternal she popped them kids out, hired some help , then went back to work she seemed so self centered. But nothing less her children love her but I was wondering if maybe her IUD would've worked would they have been born. This was a slow read for me I thought she would go against the grain but she didn't she painted Trump like a semi angel. Sounds like she still loves HIM. I wonder what's her dating life like now.
Want to read
October 12, 2017I wanna read this book half as meme but half out of honest curiosity. Hopefully I find it in a dumpster somewhere bc I don't wanna Actually Spend Money on it if I can avoid it
February 24, 2018
OK the only reason I read this book - a friend who house sat for me left it. And only anticipating a conversation with this person - I read/perused this book. I knew some things about Ivana and was a little curious about the life she led early - a life that was not rich at all. But I also feel this was a total waste of my time. This woman grew up in a carefully monitored country, married to get a passport from another country and then out of her homeland.
She admits that she is rich, proud of it and it more than happy to spend. Her life with her children - she ate breakfast and dinner with them everyday, she or the nannies took them to school, she worked on Trump projects and it is ok with her that she and dt divorced. She did not help out at the children's schools, did not allow playdates in their home. She says she is philantrophic but does not mention any of her work and why she supports these projects.
To me she came across as rich woman, trying to say how good the family is - and yes she has a far different perspective that many. To me she comes across a very entitled and proud of that.
I read this in a day - and proudly admit that I did skip over some paragraphs. I feel this was a total waste of my time and cannot recommend it.
She admits that she is rich, proud of it and it more than happy to spend. Her life with her children - she ate breakfast and dinner with them everyday, she or the nannies took them to school, she worked on Trump projects and it is ok with her that she and dt divorced. She did not help out at the children's schools, did not allow playdates in their home. She says she is philantrophic but does not mention any of her work and why she supports these projects.
To me she came across as rich woman, trying to say how good the family is - and yes she has a far different perspective that many. To me she comes across a very entitled and proud of that.
I read this in a day - and proudly admit that I did skip over some paragraphs. I feel this was a total waste of my time and cannot recommend it.
February 12, 2018
This was on the new release shelf at the library and caught my eye. I’ve never known much about Ivana or how she met Donald. It was interesting to learn about where she came from and the upbringing of Don, Eric and Ivanka. She raised her kids to be hard workers, not spoiled brats. Say what you want about Donald, but his kids turned out great (in a world of Kardashians). Ivana did not say negative things toward Donald and Melanie, and I was quite surprised that she and Donald are still friends. She has undying love for her grandchildren and it sounds like the feeling is mutual. This book made me LOL a few times and I’m glad I was able to learn about the story behind the “Trumps.”
May 9, 2020
Wish I could have read this book 6-7 years ago, mostly for child rearing and other life lessons, such as
- Let kids start working for real: Don Jr/Eric started working at age 12 at construction site, earning min wages as everyone else, and didnt get a raise for 1+ yr (because he didnt ask for it)
- Teach kids manner, and politeness, towards everyone.
- Never bad mouth your ex in front of kids
- Let kids observe parents in real working scenarios, probably more valuable than anything book/school can teach; Jobs did similar for his son
- Two most important things to be happy in life: Take the right job, and marry the right person
- Let kids start working for real: Don Jr/Eric started working at age 12 at construction site, earning min wages as everyone else, and didnt get a raise for 1+ yr (because he didnt ask for it)
- Teach kids manner, and politeness, towards everyone.
- Never bad mouth your ex in front of kids
- Let kids observe parents in real working scenarios, probably more valuable than anything book/school can teach; Jobs did similar for his son
- Two most important things to be happy in life: Take the right job, and marry the right person
May 1, 2024
Ivana writes very well. I don’t agree with her view of The Donald but I admire her and also feel very sorry for her. I think this strong woman really wanted to remain married to a man who was not worthy of her. The fact that she’s buried in an unkept grave at a golf club (for tax reasons according to rumor) pains me. Why aren’t the children, she believed were so unspoiled, irate over the disrespect her ex heaped on her after death?
October 13, 2017
Not worth reading, very dull
Boring. Made me ask WHO CARES? The book reminds me of someone's diary. I feel like I wasted my time and money.
No stars
Boring. Made me ask WHO CARES? The book reminds me of someone's diary. I feel like I wasted my time and money.
No stars
October 25, 2017
Interesting read
Glad I read it. Ivana has had a unique life and yet somewhat normal . Definitely extraordinary. Interesting life and stories
Glad I read it. Ivana has had a unique life and yet somewhat normal . Definitely extraordinary. Interesting life and stories
November 8, 2017
Very entertaining!! She was one smart businesswoman as well as an excellent mother.
June 3, 2020
It's more like 3.6, but I hope more parents will read it, so I rounded up.
February 17, 2023
Érdekelnek az életrajzi könyvek, még azoké is, akiket nem minden esetben kedvelek. Valószínűleg a kíváncsi mivoltomból fakad, szeretek mindenről tájékozódni érdekel minden.
Így voltam Ivana könyvével is, annak ellenére, hogy a magát a Trump családot illetve “Tudjuk kit” nem kedvelem túlságosan, érdekel és hagyok esélyt arra, hogy meglehessen változtatni a véleményemet a nagyobb beleásás és tények révén.
El kell ismernem, Ivana egy belevaló maximalista nő volt (tavaly hunyt el), aki igyekezett a munka mellett 3 gyermekét is felnevelni a 80-as 90-es évek amerikájában. Egészen gyermekkorától kezdve kitartóan és tudatosan terelte az életét a jobb felé és az akkori Csehszlovákiából építette fel imázsát híres síelőként. Ezt mind elismerem, példamutató életet élt ebből a szemszögből.
Azonban a kötet közben rengetegszer kaptam azon magamat, hogy felszisszenek egyes kijelentésein és cselekedetein. Szöges ellentetjét tanítja a gyermekeinek, mint ahogy Ő cselekszik. Tiltja az egyetemista gyermekeit az alkoholtol és közben az ellentetjét csinalja. [Idézek a könyvből; “Ezek okos gyerekek, nem lehetnek olyan ostobák, hogy ki akarják próbálni (De ha egy pohár borra vágytam, természetesen rendeltem magamnak.)”]
Rendre próbálta kimagyarázni a múltban gyermekei és Donald kijelentéseit és tetteit úgy, hogy annak semmi értelme. Még egy példát hozva; idősebbik gyermeke imád vadászni és előkerült egy kép róla afrikából ahol egyik kezében késsel a másik kezében pedig (nem részletezném) egy elefánt testrésze látható.
Ivana azzal magyarázta fia tettét, hogy az afrikai országok “ezekből” a szafarikból tartják fent magukat és ez túrizmus.
Természetesen, ki ne védné a gyermekeit és a szeretteit, de ami túlzás az túlzás.
Voltak benne részek, amiket élveztem, talán az akkori New Yorkot, ahogy Ivana leírja milyen volt felhőkarcolókat látni először. Milyen volt a kommunizmusból a szabadságba csöppenni.
Összességében egy olvasást megért, nem hiszem, hogy Ivana és én jóban lettünk volna, ha egy korosztályban és egy helyen lettünk volna, de a magabiztosságát és kitartását irigyelni lehet.
Így voltam Ivana könyvével is, annak ellenére, hogy a magát a Trump családot illetve “Tudjuk kit” nem kedvelem túlságosan, érdekel és hagyok esélyt arra, hogy meglehessen változtatni a véleményemet a nagyobb beleásás és tények révén.
El kell ismernem, Ivana egy belevaló maximalista nő volt (tavaly hunyt el), aki igyekezett a munka mellett 3 gyermekét is felnevelni a 80-as 90-es évek amerikájában. Egészen gyermekkorától kezdve kitartóan és tudatosan terelte az életét a jobb felé és az akkori Csehszlovákiából építette fel imázsát híres síelőként. Ezt mind elismerem, példamutató életet élt ebből a szemszögből.
Azonban a kötet közben rengetegszer kaptam azon magamat, hogy felszisszenek egyes kijelentésein és cselekedetein. Szöges ellentetjét tanítja a gyermekeinek, mint ahogy Ő cselekszik. Tiltja az egyetemista gyermekeit az alkoholtol és közben az ellentetjét csinalja. [Idézek a könyvből; “Ezek okos gyerekek, nem lehetnek olyan ostobák, hogy ki akarják próbálni (De ha egy pohár borra vágytam, természetesen rendeltem magamnak.)”]
Rendre próbálta kimagyarázni a múltban gyermekei és Donald kijelentéseit és tetteit úgy, hogy annak semmi értelme. Még egy példát hozva; idősebbik gyermeke imád vadászni és előkerült egy kép róla afrikából ahol egyik kezében késsel a másik kezében pedig (nem részletezném) egy elefánt testrésze látható.
Ivana azzal magyarázta fia tettét, hogy az afrikai országok “ezekből” a szafarikból tartják fent magukat és ez túrizmus.
Természetesen, ki ne védné a gyermekeit és a szeretteit, de ami túlzás az túlzás.
Voltak benne részek, amiket élveztem, talán az akkori New Yorkot, ahogy Ivana leírja milyen volt felhőkarcolókat látni először. Milyen volt a kommunizmusból a szabadságba csöppenni.
Összességében egy olvasást megért, nem hiszem, hogy Ivana és én jóban lettünk volna, ha egy korosztályban és egy helyen lettünk volna, de a magabiztosságát és kitartását irigyelni lehet.
October 27, 2017
Rating: 3.5
With the reality show that is now American politics (and I'm talking larger than just the man in the White House), it's hard not to be drawn into the drama of it all. When Ivana came on the news and called herself "First Lady" she was likely referring to the fact that she was Donald's first lady. Yet the media firestorm that surrounded the surrounded her comments was hard to not get swept up in. I was suddenly eager to hear what else Ivana would say.
A few things surprised me in reading this. The first was how interesting and tragic Ivana's life has been. Her go getter attitudes and tenacity turned a character I would have previously discredited into someone strong and inspirational. I disagree with the Trumps at almost every turn, but Ivana has given me a new lens with which to see them. I was also surprised to see how realistic Ivana was about her and her family's money. She admits to their luxury, and feels very relatable despite her high tax bracket. It's one thing to be rich; it's another to be bratty. Thankfully, Ivana shows the clear distinction time and time again. That said, there are still a few moments where Ivana's wealth does position her as elitist in some of her thinking. I was finally surprised by what a good writer Ivana is. I found myself laughing (rare), cheering, gasping, and crying right alongside her.
Still, a decent amount of this was unnecessary and I had wished it had been shorter. I didn't really care about hearing of each one of her pets and multiple stories about how she raised her kids to think about money. The Gallery Books team did her a disservice by not editing more discriminatively. Also, while I liked the idea of the kids' insertions, most of them either contradicted Ivana's account, or were too repetitive to be valued. Overall, if you can approach this with an open mind, I think you'll find the whole Trump clan cannot be easily defined based on the actions of the patriarch. That man, however, gets quite a beating in this book, and I think you'll find it's a fair one.
With the reality show that is now American politics (and I'm talking larger than just the man in the White House), it's hard not to be drawn into the drama of it all. When Ivana came on the news and called herself "First Lady" she was likely referring to the fact that she was Donald's first lady. Yet the media firestorm that surrounded the surrounded her comments was hard to not get swept up in. I was suddenly eager to hear what else Ivana would say.
A few things surprised me in reading this. The first was how interesting and tragic Ivana's life has been. Her go getter attitudes and tenacity turned a character I would have previously discredited into someone strong and inspirational. I disagree with the Trumps at almost every turn, but Ivana has given me a new lens with which to see them. I was also surprised to see how realistic Ivana was about her and her family's money. She admits to their luxury, and feels very relatable despite her high tax bracket. It's one thing to be rich; it's another to be bratty. Thankfully, Ivana shows the clear distinction time and time again. That said, there are still a few moments where Ivana's wealth does position her as elitist in some of her thinking. I was finally surprised by what a good writer Ivana is. I found myself laughing (rare), cheering, gasping, and crying right alongside her.
Still, a decent amount of this was unnecessary and I had wished it had been shorter. I didn't really care about hearing of each one of her pets and multiple stories about how she raised her kids to think about money. The Gallery Books team did her a disservice by not editing more discriminatively. Also, while I liked the idea of the kids' insertions, most of them either contradicted Ivana's account, or were too repetitive to be valued. Overall, if you can approach this with an open mind, I think you'll find the whole Trump clan cannot be easily defined based on the actions of the patriarch. That man, however, gets quite a beating in this book, and I think you'll find it's a fair one.
October 17, 2017
Listened to on Audible. I tried I just couldn’t listen
August 21, 2023
Raising Trump by Ivana Trump
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS -PRINT: COPYRIGHT: October 10, 2017: ISBN 978-1501177286; PUBLISHER: Gallery Books; First Edition; LENGTH: 304 pages [Hardbound Info from Amazon]
-DIGITAL: COPYRIGHT: 2017; PUBLISHER: Gallery Books; LENGTH: 318 pages [Kindle Info from Libby version, LAPL]
*AUDIO: COPYRIGHT: October 9, 2017; PUBLISHER: Simon and Schuster Audio; LENGTH: 8 hours (approx.); Unabridged. [Audio Info from Libby (LAPL)]
FILM: No.
SERIES: No
SUMMARY/ EVALUATION:
-SELECTION: I purchased the print of a different book by Ivana because it was signed. When seeking the audio version I discovered the existence of this one, and decided to listen to it first.
-ABOUT: The author shares her life experiences with candor, resilience, and optimism.
-LIKED: I liked the candor with which Ivana shared her triumphs and trials.
-DISLIKED: I’m not sure I agree that parents get the credit for children that turn out well, I agree they are a large factor and certainly kudos are deserved for all the effort toward that outcome.
-OVERALL: I enjoyed it--It kept me interested.
AUTHOR: Ivana Trump: (From Wikipedia)
“Ivana Marie Trump (née Zelníčková, Czech: [ˈzɛlɲiːt��kovaː]; February 20, 1949 – July 14, 2022) was a Czech-American businesswoman, socialite, and model. She lived in Canada in the 1970s, before relocating to the United States and marrying Donald Trump in 1977. She held key managerial positions in The Trump Organization, as vice president of interior design, as CEO and president of Trump's Castle casino resort, and as manager of the Plaza Hotel.
Ivana and Donald Trump were prominent figures in New York society throughout the 1980s. The couple's divorce, granted in 1990, was the subject of extensive media coverage.[a] Following the divorce, she developed her own lines of clothing, fashion jewelry, and beauty products which were sold on QVC UK and the Home Shopping Network. She wrote an advice column for Globe called "Ask Ivana" from 1995 through 2010, and published several books, including works of fiction, self-help, and the autobiography Raising Trump.”
NARRATORS: --“Kirby Heyborne (born October 8, 1977) is an American actor, musician, singer, songwriter, narrator and comedian. He is known for his work in films centered around the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Heyborne has also worked extensively as an audiobook narrator, narrating more than 300 books.[1] He has won two Odyssey Awards[1] and an Audie Award for Middle Grade Title.[2] In 2015, Booklist named him a Voice of Choice narrator.[1]” __Wikipedia
--"Kathleen Charlotte McInerney,[1][2] also known by her stage name Veronica Taylor, is an American voice actress known for her dubbing work in English-language adaptations of Japanese anime, in particular for voicing Ash Ketchum and his mother Delia in the Pokémon anime for its first eight seasons. Other voices she has done include Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun from Slayers, Sailor Pluto from Sailor Moon and Sailor Moon Crystal, Nico Robin in the 4Kids dub of One Piece, April O'Neil in the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and has voiced video game characters like Cosmos from Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, Dissidia Final Fantasy, and Dissidia Final Fantasy NT. Additionally, using her real name, she is a narrator for various audio books, such as the fourth arc from the Warriors series.“ __Wikipedia
__”Alison Fraser (born in Natick, Massachusetts) is an American actress, voice actress and singer[1] who has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in television and film. In concert, she has performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall,[2] The White House, Town Hall, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, The Tisch Center for the Arts, The Folger Shakespeare Library, The Wilma, The Emelin, Joe's Pub, 54 Below, and Symphony Space.[3]” __Wikipedia
__Charles Pound (Narrator)__ No biography found.
GENRE: Autobiography; history; Celebrities
LOCATIONS: Multiple
TIME FRAME 1949-2017
SUBJECTS: History; Communist Countries; Athletes; Celebrities; Lifestyle; Hotel Management; Raising Children; Parenting
DEDICATION “To my three amazing kids, Don, Ivanka, and Eric, for making life so full and fun.
To my parents, Babi and Dedo, and my grandparents, for giving me all the love in the world.
To Trudy, Bridget, and Dorothy, for helping me every step of the way.
To David Moya, for taking care of me, my mother and my children in my house in Palm Beach.
And to Donald, the kids' father and my dear friend.“
SAMPLE QUOTATION:
From “Introduction”
"Nothing is worse than bratty, spoiled rich kids, right? You just want to rip the silver spoon right out of their mouths. Off the top of your head, you can probably think of a few adult children of the superrich who’ve thrown tantrums on airplanes, been arrested for drunk driving, made a sex tape, and wasted every advantage they’ve been given.
My three children—Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric—are the opposite. While campaigning for their father last year, they were praised for their intelligence, poise, dedication, and confidence. Many Americans formed their first impressions of my kids at the Republican National Convention in July 2016, where they gave speeches to support their father’s campaign. It is a humbling experience for a mother—even one who’s lived under an intense media spotlight for forty years—to watch her children excel on the world stage. Some people—including Hillary Clinton—consider the three of them to be Donald Trump’s finest accomplishments. At the town-hall-style presidential debate in October last year, a man in the audience asked the candidates to mention one thing they respected about each other Hillary said, “I respect his children. His children are incredibly able and devoted, and I think that says a lot about Donald.”
I believe the credit for raising such great kids belongs to me. I was in charge of raising our children before our divorce, and I had sole custody of them after the split. I made the decisions about their education, activities, travel, child care, and allowances. When each one finished college, I said to my ex-husband, “Here is the finished product. Now it’s your turn”
Donald might not have been the greatest husband to me, but he was a good father to the kids. Obviously, they adore him and are fiercely loyal to him. If he were a horrible dad, that would not be the case. If Donald wants to write a book about fatherhood, I would be happy to read it, but Raising Trump is my story, from my perspective, about what I did, and still do, for my family.
It wasn’t easy to raise three kids as a full-time working mother, even with nannies. During my fourteen-year marriage to Donald, I designed the interiors of the Grand Hyatt Hotel and Trump Tower, was president and CEO of Trump Castle (the only woman in the top position at any casino in the world that I know of), and president and CEO of the Plaza Hotel, winning the prestigious Hotelier of the Year award in 1990. I wrote three international bestsellers and made tens of millions selling House of Ivana clothes, fragrances, and jewelry on HSN Tampa, QVC London, and TSC Canada. No matter how busy I was, I had breakfast with my children every day. I sat with them at dinner every night and helped them with their homework (I loved algebra) before going out in a Versace gown to a rubber-chicken charity event. The kids and I celebrated, traveled, and grieved together. Our bond was, and is, our most valuable possession.
By all rights, as children of divorce, surrounded by wealth and forced into fame, Don Jr., Ivanka, and Eric could have become the most damaged, druggie, poor little rich kids on the planet. Instead, the boys are devoted husbands and fathers, and are jointly running a multibillion-dollar company. Ivanka is a marvelous mother and wife; founded her own apparel, jewelry, and shoes business; authored two books (her most recent one, Women Who Work, I believe, was inspired by me); is now the assistant to her father, the president of the United States; and is actively working to improve the lives of women and children. I think Ivanka played a big part in Donald’s victory. Voters looked at her and thought, I like her. I trust her. She loves her father, so he can’t be that bad. Who knows? One day, she might be the first female—and Jewish—POTUS.
I’m often asked about the secret to mothering success, and my answer is always the same: there’s no magic recipe. I told the kids, “Don’t lie, cheat, or steal. Don’t smoke, do drugs, or drink.” I was strict and demanding but always loving and affectionate. I encouraged sports and competitiveness, and enriched their lives by exposing them to different cultures and the arts. I always held them accountable for their actions and didn’t let them get away with anything. I showed them dignity, diligence, and determination by example, and gave them age-appropriate responsibilities and rules, which they followed without question—or there’d be hell to pay.
I raised them right and they turned out fabulous. It seems simple. And yet people are shocked that they’re not train wrecks or in need of intensive therapy. Assumptions made by the public are often misguided. If Saturday Night Live were accurate, Don would be stiff, serious, and humorless. But he’s actually very sensitive, wryly funny, and utterly smitten with his five children and his wife, Vanessa. They got Eric completely wrong, mistaking his niceness for naïveté. He is nice, yes, but he’s also wise, loyal, generous, open, smart, polite, a master conversationalist, and full of energy and enthusiasm. And Ivanka. Well. People think she’s all hard polish and elegance, a control freak and a little princess, but really, she’s down-to-earth, empathetic, insightful, and vulnerable at times, and she cares deeply about the people she loves and the causes she supports.
I decided to share some stories about every stage of their lives, from infancy through the present, to set the record straight about who they really are. I’m also going to share some stories about my own childhood and early life so you understand exactly who I am. The mother makes the child. I learned everything I needed to know about how to be a good parent long before I became the original Mrs. Donald Trump. If you admire my children and would like to raise accomplished, ambitious winners of your own, you’ll pick up some ideas from me on these pages—or from the kids themselves. Don, Ivanka, and Eric have contributed their own stories and insights, too, in boxes like this one:
IVANKA I’m immensely proud of our mother and excited that she’s written this book. She is an amazing mom, teacher, and inspiration to all of us.
Not every daughter in the world would be so excited and proud to have her mother divulge stories about her adolescence and ex-boyfriends. But Ivanka needn’t worry. She was very good. If she did anything wrong, she knows I would have killed her.
ERIC Mom was tough. She does not put up with nonsense, and I love that about her. I think her toughness is her greatest trait. She’s also elegant, charming, and funny. Her personality spans a wide spectrum. There are a lot of people who may be charming but may not be as demanding. Our mom has a fun little devious laugh. She can tell a story and be so funny while conveying a toughness that commands respect.
What can I say? The kid gets me."
RATING: 3.5 Stars
STARTED-FINISHED
8/14/2023 – 8/17/2023
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS -PRINT: COPYRIGHT: October 10, 2017: ISBN 978-1501177286; PUBLISHER: Gallery Books; First Edition; LENGTH: 304 pages [Hardbound Info from Amazon]
-DIGITAL: COPYRIGHT: 2017; PUBLISHER: Gallery Books; LENGTH: 318 pages [Kindle Info from Libby version, LAPL]
*AUDIO: COPYRIGHT: October 9, 2017; PUBLISHER: Simon and Schuster Audio; LENGTH: 8 hours (approx.); Unabridged. [Audio Info from Libby (LAPL)]
FILM: No.
SERIES: No
SUMMARY/ EVALUATION:
-SELECTION: I purchased the print of a different book by Ivana because it was signed. When seeking the audio version I discovered the existence of this one, and decided to listen to it first.
-ABOUT: The author shares her life experiences with candor, resilience, and optimism.
-LIKED: I liked the candor with which Ivana shared her triumphs and trials.
-DISLIKED: I’m not sure I agree that parents get the credit for children that turn out well, I agree they are a large factor and certainly kudos are deserved for all the effort toward that outcome.
-OVERALL: I enjoyed it--It kept me interested.
AUTHOR: Ivana Trump: (From Wikipedia)
“Ivana Marie Trump (née Zelníčková, Czech: [ˈzɛlɲiːt��kovaː]; February 20, 1949 – July 14, 2022) was a Czech-American businesswoman, socialite, and model. She lived in Canada in the 1970s, before relocating to the United States and marrying Donald Trump in 1977. She held key managerial positions in The Trump Organization, as vice president of interior design, as CEO and president of Trump's Castle casino resort, and as manager of the Plaza Hotel.
Ivana and Donald Trump were prominent figures in New York society throughout the 1980s. The couple's divorce, granted in 1990, was the subject of extensive media coverage.[a] Following the divorce, she developed her own lines of clothing, fashion jewelry, and beauty products which were sold on QVC UK and the Home Shopping Network. She wrote an advice column for Globe called "Ask Ivana" from 1995 through 2010, and published several books, including works of fiction, self-help, and the autobiography Raising Trump.”
NARRATORS: --“Kirby Heyborne (born October 8, 1977) is an American actor, musician, singer, songwriter, narrator and comedian. He is known for his work in films centered around the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Heyborne has also worked extensively as an audiobook narrator, narrating more than 300 books.[1] He has won two Odyssey Awards[1] and an Audie Award for Middle Grade Title.[2] In 2015, Booklist named him a Voice of Choice narrator.[1]” __Wikipedia
--"Kathleen Charlotte McInerney,[1][2] also known by her stage name Veronica Taylor, is an American voice actress known for her dubbing work in English-language adaptations of Japanese anime, in particular for voicing Ash Ketchum and his mother Delia in the Pokémon anime for its first eight seasons. Other voices she has done include Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun from Slayers, Sailor Pluto from Sailor Moon and Sailor Moon Crystal, Nico Robin in the 4Kids dub of One Piece, April O'Neil in the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series and has voiced video game characters like Cosmos from Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, Dissidia Final Fantasy, and Dissidia Final Fantasy NT. Additionally, using her real name, she is a narrator for various audio books, such as the fourth arc from the Warriors series.“ __Wikipedia
__”Alison Fraser (born in Natick, Massachusetts) is an American actress, voice actress and singer[1] who has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in television and film. In concert, she has performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall,[2] The White House, Town Hall, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, The Tisch Center for the Arts, The Folger Shakespeare Library, The Wilma, The Emelin, Joe's Pub, 54 Below, and Symphony Space.[3]” __Wikipedia
__Charles Pound (Narrator)__ No biography found.
GENRE: Autobiography; history; Celebrities
LOCATIONS: Multiple
TIME FRAME 1949-2017
SUBJECTS: History; Communist Countries; Athletes; Celebrities; Lifestyle; Hotel Management; Raising Children; Parenting
DEDICATION “To my three amazing kids, Don, Ivanka, and Eric, for making life so full and fun.
To my parents, Babi and Dedo, and my grandparents, for giving me all the love in the world.
To Trudy, Bridget, and Dorothy, for helping me every step of the way.
To David Moya, for taking care of me, my mother and my children in my house in Palm Beach.
And to Donald, the kids' father and my dear friend.“
SAMPLE QUOTATION:
From “Introduction”
"Nothing is worse than bratty, spoiled rich kids, right? You just want to rip the silver spoon right out of their mouths. Off the top of your head, you can probably think of a few adult children of the superrich who’ve thrown tantrums on airplanes, been arrested for drunk driving, made a sex tape, and wasted every advantage they’ve been given.
My three children—Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric—are the opposite. While campaigning for their father last year, they were praised for their intelligence, poise, dedication, and confidence. Many Americans formed their first impressions of my kids at the Republican National Convention in July 2016, where they gave speeches to support their father’s campaign. It is a humbling experience for a mother—even one who’s lived under an intense media spotlight for forty years—to watch her children excel on the world stage. Some people—including Hillary Clinton—consider the three of them to be Donald Trump’s finest accomplishments. At the town-hall-style presidential debate in October last year, a man in the audience asked the candidates to mention one thing they respected about each other Hillary said, “I respect his children. His children are incredibly able and devoted, and I think that says a lot about Donald.”
I believe the credit for raising such great kids belongs to me. I was in charge of raising our children before our divorce, and I had sole custody of them after the split. I made the decisions about their education, activities, travel, child care, and allowances. When each one finished college, I said to my ex-husband, “Here is the finished product. Now it’s your turn”
Donald might not have been the greatest husband to me, but he was a good father to the kids. Obviously, they adore him and are fiercely loyal to him. If he were a horrible dad, that would not be the case. If Donald wants to write a book about fatherhood, I would be happy to read it, but Raising Trump is my story, from my perspective, about what I did, and still do, for my family.
It wasn’t easy to raise three kids as a full-time working mother, even with nannies. During my fourteen-year marriage to Donald, I designed the interiors of the Grand Hyatt Hotel and Trump Tower, was president and CEO of Trump Castle (the only woman in the top position at any casino in the world that I know of), and president and CEO of the Plaza Hotel, winning the prestigious Hotelier of the Year award in 1990. I wrote three international bestsellers and made tens of millions selling House of Ivana clothes, fragrances, and jewelry on HSN Tampa, QVC London, and TSC Canada. No matter how busy I was, I had breakfast with my children every day. I sat with them at dinner every night and helped them with their homework (I loved algebra) before going out in a Versace gown to a rubber-chicken charity event. The kids and I celebrated, traveled, and grieved together. Our bond was, and is, our most valuable possession.
By all rights, as children of divorce, surrounded by wealth and forced into fame, Don Jr., Ivanka, and Eric could have become the most damaged, druggie, poor little rich kids on the planet. Instead, the boys are devoted husbands and fathers, and are jointly running a multibillion-dollar company. Ivanka is a marvelous mother and wife; founded her own apparel, jewelry, and shoes business; authored two books (her most recent one, Women Who Work, I believe, was inspired by me); is now the assistant to her father, the president of the United States; and is actively working to improve the lives of women and children. I think Ivanka played a big part in Donald’s victory. Voters looked at her and thought, I like her. I trust her. She loves her father, so he can’t be that bad. Who knows? One day, she might be the first female—and Jewish—POTUS.
I’m often asked about the secret to mothering success, and my answer is always the same: there’s no magic recipe. I told the kids, “Don’t lie, cheat, or steal. Don’t smoke, do drugs, or drink.” I was strict and demanding but always loving and affectionate. I encouraged sports and competitiveness, and enriched their lives by exposing them to different cultures and the arts. I always held them accountable for their actions and didn’t let them get away with anything. I showed them dignity, diligence, and determination by example, and gave them age-appropriate responsibilities and rules, which they followed without question—or there’d be hell to pay.
I raised them right and they turned out fabulous. It seems simple. And yet people are shocked that they’re not train wrecks or in need of intensive therapy. Assumptions made by the public are often misguided. If Saturday Night Live were accurate, Don would be stiff, serious, and humorless. But he’s actually very sensitive, wryly funny, and utterly smitten with his five children and his wife, Vanessa. They got Eric completely wrong, mistaking his niceness for naïveté. He is nice, yes, but he’s also wise, loyal, generous, open, smart, polite, a master conversationalist, and full of energy and enthusiasm. And Ivanka. Well. People think she’s all hard polish and elegance, a control freak and a little princess, but really, she’s down-to-earth, empathetic, insightful, and vulnerable at times, and she cares deeply about the people she loves and the causes she supports.
I decided to share some stories about every stage of their lives, from infancy through the present, to set the record straight about who they really are. I’m also going to share some stories about my own childhood and early life so you understand exactly who I am. The mother makes the child. I learned everything I needed to know about how to be a good parent long before I became the original Mrs. Donald Trump. If you admire my children and would like to raise accomplished, ambitious winners of your own, you’ll pick up some ideas from me on these pages—or from the kids themselves. Don, Ivanka, and Eric have contributed their own stories and insights, too, in boxes like this one:
IVANKA I’m immensely proud of our mother and excited that she’s written this book. She is an amazing mom, teacher, and inspiration to all of us.
Not every daughter in the world would be so excited and proud to have her mother divulge stories about her adolescence and ex-boyfriends. But Ivanka needn’t worry. She was very good. If she did anything wrong, she knows I would have killed her.
ERIC Mom was tough. She does not put up with nonsense, and I love that about her. I think her toughness is her greatest trait. She’s also elegant, charming, and funny. Her personality spans a wide spectrum. There are a lot of people who may be charming but may not be as demanding. Our mom has a fun little devious laugh. She can tell a story and be so funny while conveying a toughness that commands respect.
What can I say? The kid gets me."
RATING: 3.5 Stars
STARTED-FINISHED
8/14/2023 – 8/17/2023
November 12, 2017
Really liked this and have lots of respect for Ivana in the way she raised her kids and the way she was around Milania. But thought she was a bit manipulative with Don, jr. Also, why was she giving him money after he graduated college? I thought they made their OWN way? Made me question some of her claims on that score. They all bought their own Trump apartments? Perhaps so, but with Daddy's money I think. Still, they seem to be pretty grounded and "normal" in spite of their privileged upbringing.
On the other hand, she seems to be a real show off and superficial in some ways. A bit of a narcissist. I feel sorry for her having to "pay" for companionship with those younger men. Put a bad taste in my mouth. They were clearly using her and I think she knew it deep down. Her description of herself frolicking (in the South of France) with younger men at 68, just produced the opposite emotion than the one I think she was going for...for this reader at least, it made me pity her in a way. Certainly didn't illicit feelings of envy. Very sad.
I didn't like how she said all the other grandparents at her grandkids schools were bloated and decrepit. Ivana doesn't really have that much room to speak, what with that over-injected bloated face of hers and those ridiculous lips. Her face is a cautionary tale to those who are considering "work" on their faces (me! ha! no thank you.) Not aging gracefully.
All in all an interesting and enjoyable read.
On the other hand, she seems to be a real show off and superficial in some ways. A bit of a narcissist. I feel sorry for her having to "pay" for companionship with those younger men. Put a bad taste in my mouth. They were clearly using her and I think she knew it deep down. Her description of herself frolicking (in the South of France) with younger men at 68, just produced the opposite emotion than the one I think she was going for...for this reader at least, it made me pity her in a way. Certainly didn't illicit feelings of envy. Very sad.
I didn't like how she said all the other grandparents at her grandkids schools were bloated and decrepit. Ivana doesn't really have that much room to speak, what with that over-injected bloated face of hers and those ridiculous lips. Her face is a cautionary tale to those who are considering "work" on their faces (me! ha! no thank you.) Not aging gracefully.
All in all an interesting and enjoyable read.
October 31, 2017
So I only got through about a quarter of the book and gave up. Ivana seems to want us to feel sorry for her and I have trouble doing that. It might get better but I cannot take anymore of her self-indulged words.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews