Jade Goody: How It All Began - My First Book

by Jade Goody, Lucie Cave (Foreword)

The moment that Jade Goody stepped into the Big Brother house, she secured her place as the unofficial winner of the third season, and found instant fame as a reality star. The glitz and glamour of sudden fame was a far cry from her difficult beginnings. Brought up in a run-down area and caring for her disabled mother, Jade didn’t have an easy childhood. But she always lived her life with incredible spirit – and that is what endeared her to millions during Big Brother. Behind the bubbly exterior, there was a tough and fiercely determined lady. Jade was always the first to admit that she had made mistakes—and there were many trials and tribulations along the way. But when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008, she faced the toughest battle of her life, in the full glare of the national media. Jade fought with dignity, never giving up hope and always striving to do the best for her sons. In the second installment of her autobiography Jade spares no detail of her time in therapy, her tempestuous relationship with the love of her life, Jack Tweed (who she married in February 2009), and the trauma of her diagnosis. Sadly, in the early hours of March 22nd, 2009, Jade lost her fight with cancer, dying peacefully in her sleep with her close family by her side. Funny, moving, and disarmingly honest, Fighting to the End truly is a fitting tribute to a unique celebrity.

Genres: Biography, Autobiography, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autobiography are so hard to review as its someone's life your reviewing so while I couldn't really connect with Jade, it's a five star from me.

Another reminder that life can be extremely short :(

[Spuzmai Achickzay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember when i first read about Jade in newspapers or on telly. I hated her. But now after reading about her life it really moved me. She was loud mouthed and didn't like liars just like me. Her life was so common being a reality star.Touchy!

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book. Jade Goody was one of the most famous people from Big Brother. She was a loud mouth if ever there was one. SHe had a very under priveldged childhood, mother used drugs, alcohol, and jade practically cared for her, She was absolutely determind her boys were giogn to have all the love and things she enver had.

Jade was diagnosed with cancer of the womb which spread. She went out of her way once she was dx to raise as much money as she could to for trust funds for her boys, so they would have a good education, get through University and have a good life. She also donated large amounts to charities.

Jade was gutsy, when things went wrong for her, she wasnt ashamed of dusting herself down, picking herself up, and starting again.

This was the story of an exceptionally courageous woman, and one I don't thing i could ever forget. The last chapter was left for her editor to write after she had gone. Very sad, she lived totally for her boys.

Read it - but it's a tear jerker

[Tracey- Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is one of the most inspiring and yet upsetting autobiographies that I have ever read. Jade Goody with the combined work of Lucie Cave wrote a brutally honest book, that has made me laugh, sympathise, feel angry for many reasons and yes cry!
Jade was thrown into the limelight, and it was a continual struggle. I know that she thrived in the publicity and it gave her and her kids a lifestyle that many don't have, but it also had it's downsides which you understand clearly when you read this book.
The tragic end to her life is something people will never forget, and she has highlighted not only cancer, but also an ongoing struggle with eating disorders and diet pill taking. Jade Goody battled not only cancer, but a almost self-destructive way of life, which she overcomed.
I wil always remember as a larger than life person, a wonderful mother and a person whose death has changed a lot of things hopefully.
Jade will live on in her boys, and I know they will ,make her proud too!

[chucklesthescot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reality TV star Jade Goody tells about her life in this biography which has been updated to include her cancer diagnosis. She tells the shocking story of her childhood, living with her drug addicted mother who was taking crack cocaine, her controversial rise to fame on Big Brother and her popularity decline after the race row on Celebrity Big Brother. She also paints a pretty dark picture of the relationship with Jack Tweed whose cheating and violence made her life a misery.

It is a brutally honest book about her success and self confessed failures. She comes across as a good, devoted mother and a normal girl who had a bit of a big mouth at times. I was never a big fan personally, but I liked the warts and all aspect of this book and I was genuinely sad when she died of cancer.

[Nataliec7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its been 10 years since Jade died of cervical cancer in 2009. I remember the hype around it very much and followed her story at the time. Reading her autobiography was very interesting, hearing about her childhood and then life post Big Brother.
Love her or hate her, she won the heart of lots of people and 'The Jade Goody Effect' in regards to cervical screening was great.
I'm not usually a fan of reading autobiographys but as this was given to me, I thought I'd read it.

[Libby Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor poor Jade Goody. I wasn’t really a fan of hers, but I didn’t dislike her; I’d left the UK by the time she had her Celeb Big Brother nightmare, but by reading this book I felt I got to know her. She had a terrible, neglectful childhood - the product of drug addicted parents, she had to drag herself up. She lacked education but somehow she had a lot of drive and tried to improve herself. This book tells how an Essex girl became a celebrity and how she cooed with her fame. She was a fun loving girl who made people laugh but she was followed by disaster! The fact that she died at 27 is proof of this.

[Geri Lloyd-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad...I liked Jade Goody & can't believe how many years have passed since her death.

This book covers her struggles with her mum, the media and touches on the cancer that claimed her life. It begs the question if they had caught the cancer earlier would she still be with us today? Also this shows that if you have the chance to test for cancer you should take it.

I was surprised by the attitude/comment of one particular female tv presenter - why be so nasty? Yes Jade was no angel but she was right saying we should treat people as we want to be treated!!

[Samantha Grogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great book from a lovely girl who came from nothing, a geat mother lived life to the full .. its a really good book rip jade
samanthaJade Goody

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you loved Jade or not this book is a wonderful read.. Close to my heart too as i too was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. Jade though made people aware of this awful disease as she battled it and unfortunatly never survived.

[Lisa]

Read this very quickly, was easy to read, I like autobiographys, thanks mum, she bought it me for my birthday!! Knew most of the stuff in here about Jade as I read all about her in magazines after she sadly passed away, would like to read the first and last books she wrote too.

[Janie Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly sad and emotional book of Jade Goody's fight with cancer, which eventually took her life. Very upsetting book, which was written beautifully.
Shows her struggles with the horrible illness, and how here family were fighting with her the whole time.

[Kylie Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

feeling a little ripped off as it seems to be 'catch a falling star' just a different title

[Siobhán Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd forgotten how funny Jade was, a very enjoyable book that made me think what she would have been like on twitter

[Mandie Melhuish · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting but sad insight into a dying mothers last moments. It did make me shed a few tears.

[KA N Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in paperback too.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

very moving and sad life of this brave mum, daugther and wife!

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

All I can say is Life is f**king cruel. Poor woman :(

Oh, and she was so clumsy!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very good read on Jade’s life leading up to when she was diagnosed with cancer. It’s an honest account of Jade’s struggles with her anger issues and her relationship ups and downs with her boyfriend Jack. The only thing that spoiled it for me was the fact it was written by a ghost writer and was too eloquent to have all been from Jade’s mouth.

All in all this was an easy and interesting read. The words may not have been Jade’s but the storytelling depicts her life . A life which was filled with drama and riches from the moment she came out of the Big Brother house. One would say the drama was already in place from the moment she was born. A life cut short unfortunately by the ravages of cancer.

[Becs_Book.Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5

R.I.P Jade 💔

A great book from a lovely girl who came from nothing, a great mother lived life to the full. She did so much towards the end of her life for her boys. She will never be forgotten 💔

[Kimberley Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love jade,You certainly will love the book!!!

[Elaine Doe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book too much sadness,had me crying brought bad memories back for me.

[Antony cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really sad

[Lewis Treleaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting life story, lots of ups and downs

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fabulous book , Jade is so missed.