It leaves you wanting more, 29 Mar 2001
What a well written book this is! Once I started it I found myself unnable to put it down. This book gives a perspective of Ellen that not only tells of the humour, but also of the sadness and development of her being. If you're a fan of Ellen then you'll love this book, and if you're not? After reading this you'll surely respect her!

A Must for All Ellen Fans, 23 Apr 2000
This book provides a sensitive and revealing insight into Ellen, her career, family and relationships. It is very readable and a good addition to Love, Ellen by Betty Degeneres.

Seriously informative stuff this book, 24 Aug 1999
Always on the lookout for more Ellen info how could I resist. There's loads of background into the workings of the show and some personal details that you won't get from Betty DeGeneres book. The cast interviews are great and it demonstrates that some of the anger which ahs been directed at the netowrk about the series is justified but some is not. A good informative book for Ellenheads.

If U love Ellen you'll love this!, 17 Aug 1999
This book is a must for all Ellen fans. It gives you and insight to her life from her school days, through her tennage years and the until she found her direction in Comedy. It carries on through her days as a stand up through to "Ellen". If you're a British fan then buy it because there is much we have missed out on and this book fills you in. We tend to only know her for her comedy and this books lets you know a little bit more and gives you and interesting insight into Ellen's life. There are also some other interviews with the cast memebers of "Ellen" that you are sure to enjoy!

A must-buy for all Ellen fans, 22 Jul 1999
This excellent, easy to read book tells you all you need to know about Ellen - from her early days in the comedy scene in New Orleans, through her eponymous sitcom, and onto her life since coming out on screen. It also has interesting interviews with some of her fellow actors on "Ellen" - the one with Joely Fisher is particularly good. And to top it all, there are some fabulous photos as well! Buy this book if you are an Ellen fan - you won't be disappointed!

It leaves you wanting more, 29 Mar 2001
What a well written book this is! Once I started it I found myself unnable to put it down. This book gives a perspective of Ellen that not only tells of the humour, but also of the sadness and development of her being. If you're a fan of Ellen then you'll love this book, and if you're not? After reading this you'll surely respect her!

A Must for All Ellen Fans, 23 Apr 2000
This book provides a sensitive and revealing insight into Ellen, her career, family and relationships. It is very readable and a good addition to Love, Ellen by Betty Degeneres.

Seriously informative stuff this book, 24 Aug 1999
Always on the lookout for more Ellen info how could I resist. There's loads of background into the workings of the show and some personal details that you won't get from Betty DeGeneres book. The cast interviews are great and it demonstrates that some of the anger which ahs been directed at the netowrk about the series is justified but some is not. A good informative book for Ellenheads.

If U love Ellen you'll love this!, 17 Aug 1999
This book is a must for all Ellen fans. It gives you and insight to her life from her school days, through her tennage years and the until she found her direction in Comedy. It carries on through her days as a stand up through to "Ellen". If you're a British fan then buy it because there is much we have missed out on and this book fills you in. We tend to only know her for her comedy and this books lets you know a little bit more and gives you and interesting insight into Ellen's life. There are also some other interviews with the cast memebers of "Ellen" that you are sure to enjoy!

A must-buy for all Ellen fans, 22 Jul 1999
This excellent, easy to read book tells you all you need to know about Ellen - from her early days in the comedy scene in New Orleans, through her eponymous sitcom, and onto her life since coming out on screen. It also has interesting interviews with some of her fellow actors on "Ellen" - the one with Joely Fisher is particularly good. And to top it all, there are some fabulous photos as well! Buy this book if you are an Ellen fan - you won't be disappointed!

Don't think twice BUY IT!, 06 Feb 2004
There are simply no words that can summarise this book in the light it deserves. A beautiful account of a mother / daughter relationship - how the mother (Betty Degeneres) reacts to the daughter (Ellen) coming out and later goes on to help with the ongoing struggle for gay / lesbian rights. An incredible journey indeed!
An informative narration with such a personal edge - please read it (not to spoil it but there's even a 'one on one' meeting / question and answer at the back of the book). There could possibly be a few photos in there too...
Borrow it from a friend - show it to your friend - reccomend it to your parents - Just read it - Benefit from this marvellous book - If it's the only thing you do - get it - you won't be disappointed ;)

I wish I had the courage to give this to my mum!, 16 Oct 2000
Ellen Degeneres decided to live her life in truth. After reading this book you can definitely see where she got her courage and strength from. Whether gay or straight you have got to admire the whole Degeneres clan for their support of Ellen and each other. Betty Degeneres' book touched every emotion inside my body and as a woman who is not 'out' I wish she was my mum! It is a book about truth, in Ellen's life, in Betty's life and hopefully in my life to come - because the book does give you strength to want to reach this place where she is with this mother/daughter relationship. It is a wonderful and cohesive journey throughout and shows us a new dimension to this already multi-talented woman. Betty would probably say that she was just a regular mother, but if there were more mothers/fathers/sisters/brothers/friends/co-workers, even strangers, like her in this world there would be less people like me. I have read the book three times in as many months and it will always remain one of my treasured possessions.

And, as they say in America 'GO BETTY'!

Informative, Witty and Insightful!, 29 Aug 1999
This book was an excellent source of encouragement and education for those who are gay and their family members. Betty Degeneres looks at sexuality and the issues that it brings in society today. She speaks of her journey after finding out her daughter Ellen is gay and the acceptance and closeness that came along afterwards through the years. This book is excellent reading for anyone with gay family members or friends, and for those of us who are still struggling with our own sexuality. I loved this book! Thank you Betty!

Uplifting, and thought provoking., 11 May 1999
Betty Degeneres gave us a wonderful glimpse into her world; our world. Her journey is an uplifting one full of wisdom and hard lessons learned. I'm glad for the sharing. A bit self-indulgent at times, however... I'm only too glad to indulge her. Mrs. Degeneres, Thank You!

A mother's love story., 03 May 1999
Betty DeGeneres reminds me of my mom. There is so much love that it really shines through out all of the pages-for Ellen ,Anne and Vance. It takes a while after you come out to your mom, but it is worth the wait. Living your truth is extremely important.

It leaves you wanting more, 29 Mar 2001
What a well written book this is! Once I started it I found myself unnable to put it down. This book gives a perspective of Ellen that not only tells of the humour, but also of the sadness and development of her being. If you're a fan of Ellen then you'll love this book, and if you're not? After reading this you'll surely respect her!

A Must for All Ellen Fans, 23 Apr 2000
This book provides a sensitive and revealing insight into Ellen, her career, family and relationships. It is very readable and a good addition to Love, Ellen by Betty Degeneres.

Seriously informative stuff this book, 24 Aug 1999
Always on the lookout for more Ellen info how could I resist. There's loads of background into the workings of the show and some personal details that you won't get from Betty DeGeneres book. The cast interviews are great and it demonstrates that some of the anger which ahs been directed at the netowrk about the series is justified but some is not. A good informative book for Ellenheads.

If U love Ellen you'll love this!, 17 Aug 1999
This book is a must for all Ellen fans. It gives you and insight to her life from her school days, through her tennage years and the until she found her direction in Comedy. It carries on through her days as a stand up through to "Ellen". If you're a British fan then buy it because there is much we have missed out on and this book fills you in. We tend to only know her for her comedy and this books lets you know a little bit more and gives you and interesting insight into Ellen's life. There are also some other interviews with the cast memebers of "Ellen" that you are sure to enjoy!

A must-buy for all Ellen fans, 22 Jul 1999
This excellent, easy to read book tells you all you need to know about Ellen - from her early days in the comedy scene in New Orleans, through her eponymous sitcom, and onto her life since coming out on screen. It also has interesting interviews with some of her fellow actors on "Ellen" - the one with Joely Fisher is particularly good. And to top it all, there are some fabulous photos as well! Buy this book if you are an Ellen fan - you won't be disappointed!

Don't think twice BUY IT!, 06 Feb 2004
There are simply no words that can summarise this book in the light it deserves. A beautiful account of a mother / daughter relationship - how the mother (Betty Degeneres) reacts to the daughter (Ellen) coming out and later goes on to help with the ongoing struggle for gay / lesbian rights. An incredible journey indeed!
An informative narration with such a personal edge - please read it (not to spoil it but there's even a 'one on one' meeting / question and answer at the back of the book). There could possibly be a few photos in there too...
Borrow it from a friend - show it to your friend - reccomend it to your parents - Just read it - Benefit from this marvellous book - If it's the only thing you do - get it - you won't be disappointed ;)

I wish I had the courage to give this to my mum!, 16 Oct 2000
Ellen Degeneres decided to live her life in truth. After reading this book you can definitely see where she got her courage and strength from. Whether gay or straight you have got to admire the whole Degeneres clan for their support of Ellen and each other. Betty Degeneres' book touched every emotion inside my body and as a woman who is not 'out' I wish she was my mum! It is a book about truth, in Ellen's life, in Betty's life and hopefully in my life to come - because the book does give you strength to want to reach this place where she is with this mother/daughter relationship. It is a wonderful and cohesive journey throughout and shows us a new dimension to this already multi-talented woman. Betty would probably say that she was just a regular mother, but if there were more mothers/fathers/sisters/brothers/friends/co-workers, even strangers, like her in this world there would be less people like me. I have read the book three times in as many months and it will always remain one of my treasured possessions.

And, as they say in America 'GO BETTY'!

Informative, Witty and Insightful!, 29 Aug 1999
This book was an excellent source of encouragement and education for those who are gay and their family members. Betty Degeneres looks at sexuality and the issues that it brings in society today. She speaks of her journey after finding out her daughter Ellen is gay and the acceptance and closeness that came along afterwards through the years. This book is excellent reading for anyone with gay family members or friends, and for those of us who are still struggling with our own sexuality. I loved this book! Thank you Betty!

Uplifting, and thought provoking., 11 May 1999
Betty Degeneres gave us a wonderful glimpse into her world; our world. Her journey is an uplifting one full of wisdom and hard lessons learned. I'm glad for the sharing. A bit self-indulgent at times, however... I'm only too glad to indulge her. Mrs. Degeneres, Thank You!

A mother's love story., 03 May 1999
Betty DeGeneres reminds me of my mom. There is so much love that it really shines through out all of the pages-for Ellen ,Anne and Vance. It takes a while after you come out to your mom, but it is worth the wait. Living your truth is extremely important.

brutally honest...brilliant!, 01 Oct 2006
Wow. I've just finished reading this book and it has left me in a kind of stupor. It may be one of the shorter biographies out there but the title says it all. What it is saying is `this is the truth, as I see it and saw it then, feel it now and felt it then.'

There are so many things about this book that I love firstly that it's so raw and pure that it has left me bewildered and yet full of emotion towards this woman who doesn't even know I exist. The tale is so simply told but it grabs you till you can almost feel what she feels...the pain, sorrow and happiness become yours.
There's quite a bit on where her music comes from. The real stories behind some of the lyrics that have become so famous, and you'll be amazed just how different they can be from general perception. One of my favourite is how she came to write `sleep', the presence of which had always seemed odd on her `Breakdown' album. The bittersweet origins have made this song a little more special to me as I had brushed it aside before.
A few unpublished lines she has penned creep in as do pictures of friends and family. Plus the one I read had an Afterword which was written a year after the book was finished and brings in a bit about Tammy and the new life.

This book takes the image of the perfect lives of the rich and famous and tears it apart to show a real human beneath it all.
A wonderful book that will add more meaning to the music and one I recommend with 10 stars.


Melissa writes honestly and with no apologies for her past and with passion about her lyrics., 11 Aug 2006
When we boarded the ferry for a family holiday to France my friend Jacqui got out her book. She read a few pages and put it down. Big mistake. I picked it up and by the time we arrived at the caravan I had finished it.

It was the singer / songwriter Melissa Etheridge's autobiography. Seemingly it must have been called "The Truth Is... My Life in Love and Music" but to be honest I don't think I looked at the title!

Last year my other friend Maaike introduced me to loads of new artists I had never heard of before. Melissa was one of them. Later Jacqui and I surfed eBay and we added most of Etheridge's cds to our collection.

I knew a little about Melissa's life through general conversation but had wondered about how she had arrived where she is now. This book explained most everything, warts and all. It was incredibly easy to read and was also an ongoing explanation of the reasons behind the lyrics of her songs - some of which I absolutely love. The book proves that the lyrics are personal to her - not her just churning out songs to appease the record company.

Melissa writes honestly and with no apologies for her past and with passion about her lyrics. I enjoyed her explanations and find myself understanding the songs a little better now when I listen to them.

Should you? : If you know her music then yes - if you don't a lot of it will pass over your head. It isn't the longest book in the world so it wouldn't take forever to get through if you fancied it.

Did I? : Most definitely enjoyed this one yup. I think it could stand for a new edition soon as a couple of things have happened to Melissa since that edition.

Amazing..., 20 Aug 2004
I hate biographies. They usually contain too much completely boring information. This autobiography was more like sitting down over a coffee and listening to someone be completely open.

Melissa describes her life growing up in small-town America and reveals very personal parts of her life. She tells of her struggles with her relationships and with her family regarding her sexual orientation.

She's very frank about her relationships with people. She's also very passionate and fair in her descriptions of them... in many cases, she may be too fair to people who probably don't deserve it.

All in all, a pleasing (if quick) read. A candid and fascinating memoire by a passionate and enduring figure who deserves every ounce of respect she gets.

This book will make you a fan., 04 Sep 2002
I bought this book as an on/off Melissa Etheridge fan - I had Breakdown and I listened to it on and off but I never felt the urge to go out and buy all her previous albums. This book changed that. The insight Melissa provides into her songwriting is more than enough to make you want to hear the songs she's talking about. She writes down the lyrics but obviously that's no substitute for the real thing. This was the main thing I took away from the book. It was also interesting to see how her various relationships have affected her writing. Of course, there's a reason why she called the book 'My Life in Love and Music.'

Amazing!, 24 Jun 2002
The most truthful, honest, emotional, sensitive and factual auto biographies ever written. No holes barred, frank and straight to the point. A powerfully, condensed, raw book of feeling. A must for any Melissa Etheridge fan and anyone else fed up with flowered up, fancy life stories. Highly recommended, amazing book that will take you from misunderstanding, through intrigue to joy and tears then back again.

It leaves you wanting more, 29 Mar 2001
What a well written book this is! Once I started it I found myself unnable to put it down. This book gives a perspective of Ellen that not only tells of the humour, but also of the sadness and development of her being. If you're a fan of Ellen then you'll love this book, and if you're not? After reading this you'll surely respect her!

A Must for All Ellen Fans, 23 Apr 2000
This book provides a sensitive and revealing insight into Ellen, her career, family and relationships. It is very readable and a good addition to Love, Ellen by Betty Degeneres.

Seriously informative stuff this book, 24 Aug 1999
Always on the lookout for more Ellen info how could I resist. There's loads of background into the workings of the show and some personal details that you won't get from Betty DeGeneres book. The cast interviews are great and it demonstrates that some of the anger which ahs been directed at the netowrk about the series is justified but some is not. A good informative book for Ellenheads.

If U love Ellen you'll love this!, 17 Aug 1999
This book is a must for all Ellen fans. It gives you and insight to her life from her school days, through her tennage years and the until she found her direction in Comedy. It carries on through her days as a stand up through to "Ellen". If you're a British fan then buy it because there is much we have missed out on and this book fills you in. We tend to only know her for her comedy and this books lets you know a little bit more and gives you and interesting insight into Ellen's life. There are also some other interviews with the cast memebers of "Ellen" that you are sure to enjoy!

A must-buy for all Ellen fans, 22 Jul 1999
This excellent, easy to read book tells you all you need to know about Ellen - from her early days in the comedy scene in New Orleans, through her eponymous sitcom, and onto her life since coming out on screen. It also has interesting interviews with some of her fellow actors on "Ellen" - the one with Joely Fisher is particularly good. And to top it all, there are some fabulous photos as well! Buy this book if you are an Ellen fan - you won't be disappointed!

Don't think twice BUY IT!, 06 Feb 2004
There are simply no words that can summarise this book in the light it deserves. A beautiful account of a mother / daughter relationship - how the mother (Betty Degeneres) reacts to the daughter (Ellen) coming out and later goes on to help with the ongoing struggle for gay / lesbian rights. An incredible journey indeed!
An informative narration with such a personal edge - please read it (not to spoil it but there's even a 'one on one' meeting / question and answer at the back of the book). There could possibly be a few photos in there too...
Borrow it from a friend - show it to your friend - reccomend it to your parents - Just read it - Benefit from this marvellous book - If it's the only thing you do - get it - you won't be disappointed ;)

I wish I had the courage to give this to my mum!, 16 Oct 2000
Ellen Degeneres decided to live her life in truth. After reading this book you can definitely see where she got her courage and strength from. Whether gay or straight you have got to admire the whole Degeneres clan for their support of Ellen and each other. Betty Degeneres' book touched every emotion inside my body and as a woman who is not 'out' I wish she was my mum! It is a book about truth, in Ellen's life, in Betty's life and hopefully in my life to come - because the book does give you strength to want to reach this place where she is with this mother/daughter relationship. It is a wonderful and cohesive journey throughout and shows us a new dimension to this already multi-talented woman. Betty would probably say that she was just a regular mother, but if there were more mothers/fathers/sisters/brothers/friends/co-workers, even strangers, like her in this world there would be less people like me. I have read the book three times in as many months and it will always remain one of my treasured possessions.

And, as they say in America 'GO BETTY'!

Informative, Witty and Insightful!, 29 Aug 1999
This book was an excellent source of encouragement and education for those who are gay and their family members. Betty Degeneres looks at sexuality and the issues that it brings in society today. She speaks of her journey after finding out her daughter Ellen is gay and the acceptance and closeness that came along afterwards through the years. This book is excellent reading for anyone with gay family members or friends, and for those of us who are still struggling with our own sexuality. I loved this book! Thank you Betty!

Uplifting, and thought provoking., 11 May 1999
Betty Degeneres gave us a wonderful glimpse into her world; our world. Her journey is an uplifting one full of wisdom and hard lessons learned. I'm glad for the sharing. A bit self-indulgent at times, however... I'm only too glad to indulge her. Mrs. Degeneres, Thank You!

A mother's love story., 03 May 1999
Betty DeGeneres reminds me of my mom. There is so much love that it really shines through out all of the pages-for Ellen ,Anne and Vance. It takes a while after you come out to your mom, but it is worth the wait. Living your truth is extremely important.

brutally honest...brilliant!, 01 Oct 2006
Wow. I've just finished reading this book and it has left me in a kind of stupor. It may be one of the shorter biographies out there but the title says it all. What it is saying is `this is the truth, as I see it and saw it then, feel it now and felt it then.'

There are so many things about this book that I love firstly that it's so raw and pure that it has left me bewildered and yet full of emotion towards this woman who doesn't even know I exist. The tale is so simply told but it grabs you till you can almost feel what she feels...the pain, sorrow and happiness become yours.
There's quite a bit on where her music comes from. The real stories behind some of the lyrics that have become so famous, and you'll be amazed just how different they can be from general perception. One of my favourite is how she came to write `sleep', the presence of which had always seemed odd on her `Breakdown' album. The bittersweet origins have made this song a little more special to me as I had brushed it aside before.
A few unpublished lines she has penned creep in as do pictures of friends and family. Plus the one I read had an Afterword which was written a year after the book was finished and brings in a bit about Tammy and the new life.

This book takes the image of the perfect lives of the rich and famous and tears it apart to show a real human beneath it all.
A wonderful book that will add more meaning to the music and one I recommend with 10 stars.


Melissa writes honestly and with no apologies for her past and with passion about her lyrics., 11 Aug 2006
When we boarded the ferry for a family holiday to France my friend Jacqui got out her book. She read a few pages and put it down. Big mistake. I picked it up and by the time we arrived at the caravan I had finished it.

It was the singer / songwriter Melissa Etheridge's autobiography. Seemingly it must have been called "The Truth Is... My Life in Love and Music" but to be honest I don't think I looked at the title!

Last year my other friend Maaike introduced me to loads of new artists I had never heard of before. Melissa was one of them. Later Jacqui and I surfed eBay and we added most of Etheridge's cds to our collection.

I knew a little about Melissa's life through general conversation but had wondered about how she had arrived where she is now. This book explained most everything, warts and all. It was incredibly easy to read and was also an ongoing explanation of the reasons behind the lyrics of her songs - some of which I absolutely love. The book proves that the lyrics are personal to her - not her just churning out songs to appease the record company.

Melissa writes honestly and with no apologies for her past and with passion about her lyrics. I enjoyed her explanations and find myself understanding the songs a little better now when I listen to them.

Should you? : If you know her music then yes - if you don't a lot of it will pass over your head. It isn't the longest book in the world so it wouldn't take forever to get through if you fancied it.

Did I? : Most definitely enjoyed this one yup. I think it could stand for a new edition soon as a couple of things have happened to Melissa since that edition.

Amazing..., 20 Aug 2004
I hate biographies. They usually contain too much completely boring information. This autobiography was more like sitting down over a coffee and listening to someone be completely open.

Melissa describes her life growing up in small-town America and reveals very personal parts of her life. She tells of her struggles with her relationships and with her family regarding her sexual orientation.

She's very frank about her relationships with people. She's also very passionate and fair in her descriptions of them... in many cases, she may be too fair to people who probably don't deserve it.

All in all, a pleasing (if quick) read. A candid and fascinating memoire by a passionate and enduring figure who deserves every ounce of respect she gets.

This book will make you a fan., 04 Sep 2002
I bought this book as an on/off Melissa Etheridge fan - I had Breakdown and I listened to it on and off but I never felt the urge to go out and buy all her previous albums. This book changed that. The insight Melissa provides into her songwriting is more than enough to make you want to hear the songs she's talking about. She writes down the lyrics but obviously that's no substitute for the real thing. This was the main thing I took away from the book. It was also interesting to see how her various relationships have affected her writing. Of course, there's a reason why she called the book 'My Life in Love and Music.'

Amazing!, 24 Jun 2002
The most truthful, honest, emotional, sensitive and factual auto biographies ever written. No holes barred, frank and straight to the point. A powerfully, condensed, raw book of feeling. A must for any Melissa Etheridge fan and anyone else fed up with flowered up, fancy life stories. Highly recommended, amazing book that will take you from misunderstanding, through intrigue to joy and tears then back again.

funny therapy!, 19 Jun 2008
This book is awesome. It's funny, it's raw and it's thought provoking. I admire Adnrea's ability to speak her mind and her courage to be herself. The book is written in a diary format which makes is easy to read but impossible to put down! Gay, straight, mommy, no mommy, I'd be surprised if you didn't find something in this book that touched you and inspired you. Enjoy x

It leaves you wanting more, 29 Mar 2001
What a well written book this is! Once I started it I found myself unnable to put it down. This book gives a perspective of Ellen that not only tells of the humour, but also of the sadness and development of her being. If you're a fan of Ellen then you'll love this book, and if you're not? After reading this you'll surely respect her!

A Must for All Ellen Fans, 23 Apr 2000
This book provides a sensitive and revealing insight into Ellen, her career, family and relationships. It is very readable and a good addition to Love, Ellen by Betty Degeneres.

Seriously informative stuff this book, 24 Aug 1999
Always on the lookout for more Ellen info how could I resist. There's loads of background into the workings of the show and some personal details that you won't get from Betty DeGeneres book. The cast interviews are great and it demonstrates that some of the anger which ahs been directed at the netowrk about the series is justified but some is not. A good informative book for Ellenheads.

If U love Ellen you'll love this!, 17 Aug 1999
This book is a must for all Ellen fans. It gives you and insight to her life from her school days, through her tennage years and the until she found her direction in Comedy. It carries on through her days as a stand up through to "Ellen". If you're a British fan then buy it because there is much we have missed out on and this book fills you in. We tend to only know her for her comedy and this books lets you know a little bit more and gives you and interesting insight into Ellen's life. There are also some other interviews with the cast memebers of "Ellen" that you are sure to enjoy!

A must-buy for all Ellen fans, 22 Jul 1999
This excellent, easy to read book tells you all you need to know about Ellen - from her early days in the comedy scene in New Orleans, through her eponymous sitcom, and onto her life since coming out on screen. It also has interesting interviews with some of her fellow actors on "Ellen" - the one with Joely Fisher is particularly good. And to top it all, there are some fabulous photos as well! Buy this book if you are an Ellen fan - you won't be disappointed!

Don't think twice BUY IT!, 06 Feb 2004
There are simply no words that can summarise this book in the light it deserves. A beautiful account of a mother / daughter relationship - how the mother (Betty Degeneres) reacts to the daughter (Ellen) coming out and later goes on to help with the ongoing struggle for gay / lesbian rights. An incredible journey indeed!
An informative narration with such a personal edge - please read it (not to spoil it but there's even a 'one on one' meeting / question and answer at the back of the book). There could possibly be a few photos in there too...
Borrow it from a friend - show it to your friend - reccomend it to your parents - Just read it - Benefit from this marvellous book - If it's the only thing you do - get it - you won't be disappointed ;)

I wish I had the courage to give this to my mum!, 16 Oct 2000
Ellen Degeneres decided to live her life in truth. After reading this book you can definitely see where she got her courage and strength from. Whether gay or straight you have got to admire the whole Degeneres clan for their support of Ellen and each other. Betty Degeneres' book touched every emotion inside my body and as a woman who is not 'out' I wish she was my mum! It is a book about truth, in Ellen's life, in Betty's life and hopefully in my life to come - because the book does give you strength to want to reach this place where she is with this mother/daughter relationship. It is a wonderful and cohesive journey throughout and shows us a new dimension to this already multi-talented woman. Betty would probably say that she was just a regular mother, but if there were more mothers/fathers/sisters/brothers/friends/co-workers, even strangers, like her in this world there would be less people like me. I have read the book three times in as many months and it will always remain one of my treasured possessions.

And, as they say in America 'GO BETTY'!

Informative, Witty and Insightful!, 29 Aug 1999
This book was an excellent source of encouragement and education for those who are gay and their family members. Betty Degeneres looks at sexuality and the issues that it brings in society today. She speaks of her journey after finding out her daughter Ellen is gay and the acceptance and closeness that came along afterwards through the years. This book is excellent reading for anyone with gay family members or friends, and for those of us who are still struggling with our own sexuality. I loved this book! Thank you Betty!

Uplifting, and thought provoking., 11 May 1999
Betty Degeneres gave us a wonderful glimpse into her world; our world. Her journey is an uplifting one full of wisdom and hard lessons learned. I'm glad for the sharing. A bit self-indulgent at times, however... I'm only too glad to indulge her. Mrs. Degeneres, Thank You!

A mother's love story., 03 May 1999
Betty DeGeneres reminds me of my mom. There is so much love that it really shines through out all of the pages-for Ellen ,Anne and Vance. It takes a while after you come out to your mom, but it is worth the wait. Living your truth is extremely important.

brutally honest...brilliant!, 01 Oct 2006
Wow. I've just finished reading this book and it has left me in a kind of stupor. It may be one of the shorter biographies out there but the title says it all. What it is saying is `this is the truth, as I see it and saw it then, feel it now and felt it then.'

There are so many things about this book that I love firstly that it's so raw and pure that it has left me bewildered and yet full of emotion towards this woman who doesn't even know I exist. The tale is so simply told but it grabs you till you can almost feel what she feels...the pain, sorrow and happiness become yours.
There's quite a bit on where her music comes from. The real stories behind some of the lyrics that have become so famous, and you'll be amazed just how different they can be from general perception. One of my favourite is how she came to write `sleep', the presence of which had always seemed odd on her `Breakdown' album. The bittersweet origins have made this song a little more special to me as I had brushed it aside before.
A few unpublished lines she has penned creep in as do pictures of friends and family. Plus the one I read had an Afterword which was written a year after the book was finished and brings in a bit about Tammy and the new life.

This book takes the image of the perfect lives of the rich and famous and tears it apart to show a real human beneath it all.
A wonderful book that will add more meaning to the music and one I recommend with 10 stars.


Melissa writes honestly and with no apologies for her past and with passion about her lyrics., 11 Aug 2006
When we boarded the ferry for a family holiday to France my friend Jacqui got out her book. She read a few pages and put it down. Big mistake. I picked it up and by the time we arrived at the caravan I had finished it.

It was the singer / songwriter Melissa Etheridge's autobiography. Seemingly it must have been called "The Truth Is... My Life in Love and Music" but to be honest I don't think I looked at the title!

Last year my other friend Maaike introduced me to loads of new artists I had never heard of before. Melissa was one of them. Later Jacqui and I surfed eBay and we added most of Etheridge's cds to our collection.

I knew a little about Melissa's life through general conversation but had wondered about how she had arrived where she is now. This book explained most everything, warts and all. It was incredibly easy to read and was also an ongoing explanation of the reasons behind the lyrics of her songs - some of which I absolutely love. The book proves that the lyrics are personal to her - not her just churning out songs to appease the record company.

Melissa writes honestly and with no apologies for her past and with passion about her lyrics. I enjoyed her explanations and find myself understanding the songs a little better now when I listen to them.

Should you? : If you know her music then yes - if you don't a lot of it will pass over your head. It isn't the longest book in the world so it wouldn't take forever to get through if you fancied it.

Did I? : Most definitely enjoyed this one yup. I think it could stand for a new edition soon as a couple of things have happened to Melissa since that edition.

Amazing..., 20 Aug 2004
I hate biographies. They usually contain too much completely boring information. This autobiography was more like sitting down over a coffee and listening to someone be completely open.

Melissa describes her life growing up in small-town America and reveals very personal parts of her life. She tells of her struggles with her relationships and with her family regarding her sexual orientation.

She's very frank about her relationships with people. She's also very passionate and fair in her descriptions of them... in many cases, she may be too fair to people who probably don't deserve it.

All in all, a pleasing (if quick) read. A candid and fascinating memoire by a passionate and enduring figure who deserves every ounce of respect she gets.

This book will make you a fan., 04 Sep 2002
I bought this book as an on/off Melissa Etheridge fan - I had Breakdown and I listened to it on and off but I never felt the urge to go out and buy all her previous albums. This book changed that. The insight Melissa provides into her songwriting is more than enough to make you want to hear the songs she's talking about. She writes down the lyrics but obviously that's no substitute for the real thing. This was the main thing I took away from the book. It was also interesting to see how her various relationships have affected her writing. Of course, there's a reason why she called the book 'My Life in Love and Music.'

Amazing!, 24 Jun 2002
The most truthful, honest, emotional, sensitive and factual auto biographies ever written. No holes barred, frank and straight to the point. A powerfully, condensed, raw book of feeling. A must for any Melissa Etheridge fan and anyone else fed up with flowered up, fancy life stories. Highly recommended, amazing book that will take you from misunderstanding, through intrigue to joy and tears then back again.

funny therapy!, 19 Jun 2008
This book is awesome. It's funny, it's raw and it's thought provoking. I admire Adnrea's ability to speak her mind and her courage to be herself. The book is written in a diary format which makes is easy to read but impossible to put down! Gay, straight, mommy, no mommy, I'd be surprised if you didn't find something in this book that touched you and inspired you. Enjoy x

Better than Winterdance, 25 Jun 2008
Contrary to some other reviews, I absolutely loved this book and thought it was much, much, much better written than Winterdance. Yes, the chap is a journalist and it means that he is able to write in complete, grammatically-correct sentences!
There was more detail in his descriptions of the race and I enjoyed every minute of it.
I was slightly puzzled by the title though - it seems to have little relevance to the story - maybe it is just meant to get your attention?
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone - even my mother loved it!

My lead dog was a lesbian., 30 Jun 2005
Having read Winter Dance first which I have read several times already I was really looking forward to reading this book about the 'The Last Great Race' the Iditarod. I found this a slow read due to the fact that the author has also been a reporter and I personally thought that he was writing it like that whereby one minute he was on about himself and his dog team and the next he would go off on a complete tangent either about his past or what was happening to others on the race.

Having said this it did get better towards the end of the book when he concentrated on the last 11 teams who stuck together towards the end of the race telling you about the trials they were going through with the weather conditions they had to endure aswell as the dogs being exhausted.

The other saving grace that I found interesting was the author put in race posistions and time finished of those who took part in the race at the back of the book along with 1st and last place people and timings over the years so that sets your imagination going thinking about how technology has helped the sport plus thinking about the weathers conditions when comparing timings etc.
This is my verdict on this book others have obviously liked it and would argue the fact, but I would recommend Winter Dance and not this book.

A story about Grit, 02 Mar 1999
This book was hard to put down. Every time I started to read, I wanted to know what happened next. Every chapter was a new adventure for Brian O'Donoghue. I have a deep respect for what he did. I can only imagine how it was attempting to finish the "Last Great Race", the Iditarod. This is a TRUE story about determination and strong will power to accomplish one thing, finish the Iditarod.

Frank Discussion of Other Mushers Adds to Realism of Book.., 13 Jun 1996
I ordered this book based on rave reviews of others. Initially, the shift in time from one scene to another is confusing, but once the reader gets used to the format, the book is engrossing. Having also read Winterdance, by Gary Paulsen, I was prepared for the descriptions of the grueling test the mushers and dogs face. What was great about THIS book is the realism of the event and especially the character sketches of "name" mushers. The other mushers in the race are far more than just names, they are real people, acting in the "sometimes great, sometimes evil, sometimes stupid, sometimes humane" way that real people do. In addition, because the book spends a lot of time "in the back" of the race, you understand that the Iditarod tests ALL the mushers, not just the winners.

It leaves you wanting more, 29 Mar 2001
What a well written book this is! Once I started it I found myself unnable to put it down. This book gives a perspective of Ellen that not only tells of the humour, but also of the sadness and development of her being. If you're a fan of Ellen then you'll love this book, and if you're not? After reading this you'll surely respect her!

A Must for All Ellen Fans, 23 Apr 2000
This book provides a sensitive and revealing insight into Ellen, her career, family and relationships. It is very readable and a good addition to Love, Ellen by Betty Degeneres.

Seriously informative stuff this book, 24 Aug 1999
Always on the lookout for more Ellen info how could I resist. There's loads of background into the workings of the show and some personal details that you won't get from Betty DeGeneres book. The cast interviews are great and it demonstrates that some of the anger which ahs been directed at the netowrk about the series is justified but some is not. A good informative book for Ellenheads.

If U love Ellen you'll love this!, 17 Aug 1999
This book is a must for all Ellen fans. It gives you and insight to her life from her school days, through her tennage years and the until she found her direction in Comedy. It carries on through her days as a stand up through to "Ellen". If you're a British fan then buy it because there is much we have missed out on and this book fills you in. We tend to only know her for her comedy and this books lets you know a little bit more and gives you and interesting insight into Ellen's life. There are also some other interviews with the cast memebers of "Ellen" that you are sure to enjoy!

A must-buy for all Ellen fans, 22 Jul 1999
This excellent, easy to read book tells you all you need to know about Ellen - from her early days in the comedy scene in New Orleans, through her eponymous sitcom, and onto her life since coming out on screen. It also has interesting interviews with some of her fellow actors on "Ellen" - the one with Joely Fisher is particularly good. And to top it all, there are some fabulous photos as well! Buy this book if you are an Ellen fan - you won't be disappointed!

Don't think twice BUY IT!, 06 Feb 2004
There are simply no words that can summarise this book in the light it deserves. A beautiful account of a mother / daughter relationship - how the mother (Betty Degeneres) reacts to the daughter (Ellen) coming out and later goes on to help with the ongoing struggle for gay / lesbian rights. An incredible journey indeed!
An informative narration with such a personal edge - please read it (not to spoil it but there's even a 'one on one' meeting / question and answer at the back of the book). There could possibly be a few photos in there too...
Borrow it from a friend - show it to your friend - reccomend it to your parents - Just read it - Benefit from this marvellous book - If it's the only thing you do - get it - you won't be disappointed ;)

I wish I had the courage to give this to my mum!, 16 Oct 2000
Ellen Degeneres decided to live her life in truth. After reading this book you can definitely see where she got her courage and strength from. Whether gay or straight you have got to admire the whole Degeneres clan for their support of Ellen and each other. Betty Degeneres' book touched every emotion inside my body and as a woman who is not 'out' I wish she was my mum! It is a book about truth, in Ellen's life, in Betty's life and hopefully in my life to come - because the book does give you strength to want to reach this place where she is with this mother/daughter relationship. It is a wonderful and cohesive journey throughout and shows us a new dimension to this already multi-talented woman. Betty would probably say that she was just a regular mother, but if there were more mothers/fathers/sisters/brothers/friends/co-workers, even strangers, like her in this world there would be less people like me. I have read the book three times in as many months and it will always remain one of my treasured possessions.

And, as they say in America 'GO BETTY'!

Informative, Witty and Insightful!, 29 Aug 1999
This book was an excellent source of encouragement and education for those who are gay and their family members. Betty Degeneres looks at sexuality and the issues that it brings in society today. She speaks of her journey after finding out her daughter Ellen is gay and the acceptance and closeness that came along afterwards through the years. This book is excellent reading for anyone with gay family members or friends, and for those of us who are still struggling with our own sexuality. I loved this book! Thank you Betty!

Uplifting, and thought provoking., 11 May 1999
Betty Degeneres gave us a wonderful glimpse into her world; our world. Her journey is an uplifting one full of wisdom and hard lessons learned. I'm glad for the sharing. A bit self-indulgent at times, however... I'm only too glad to indulge her. Mrs. Degeneres, Thank You!

A mother's love story., 03 May 1999
Betty DeGeneres reminds me of my mom. There is so much love that it really shines through out all of the pages-for Ellen ,Anne and Vance. It takes a while after you come out to your mom, but it is worth the wait. Living your truth is extremely important.

brutally honest...brilliant!, 01 Oct 2006
Wow. I've just finished reading this book and it has left me in a kind of stupor. It may be one of the shorter biographies out there but the title says it all. What it is saying is `this is the truth, as I see it and saw it then, feel it now and felt it then.'

There are so many things about this book that I love firstly that it's so raw and pure that it has left me bewildered and yet full of emotion towards this woman who doesn't even know I exist. The tale is so simply told but it grabs you till you can almost feel what she feels...the pain, sorrow and happiness become yours.
There's quite a bit on where her music comes from. The real stories behind some of the lyrics that have become so famous, and you'll be amazed just how different they can be from general perception. One of my favourite is how she came to write `sleep', the presence of which had always seemed odd on her `Breakdown' album. The bittersweet origins have made this song a little more special to me as I had brushed it aside before.
A few unpublished lines she has penned creep in as do pictures of friends and family. Plus the one I read had an Afterword which was written a year after the book was finished and brings in a bit about Tammy and the new life.

This book takes the image of the perfect lives of the rich and famous and tears it apart to show a real human beneath it all.
A wonderful book that will add more meaning to the music and one I recommend with 10 stars.


Melissa writes honestly and with no apologies for her past and with passion about her lyrics., 11 Aug 2006
When we boarded the ferry for a family holiday to France my friend Jacqui got out her book. She read a few pages and put it down. Big mistake. I picked it up and by the time we arrived at the caravan I had finished it.

It was the singer / songwriter Melissa Etheridge's autobiography. Seemingly it must have been called "The Truth Is... My Life in Love and Music" but to be honest I don't think I looked at the title!

Last year my other friend Maaike introduced me to loads of new artists I had never heard of before. Melissa was one of them. Later Jacqui and I surfed eBay and we added most of Etheridge's cds to our collection.

I knew a little about Melissa's life through general conversation but had wondered about how she had arrived where she is now. This book explained most everything, warts and all. It was incredibly easy to read and was also an ongoing explanation of the reasons behind the lyrics of her songs - some of which I absolutely love. The book proves that the lyrics are personal to her - not her just churning out songs to appease the record company.

Melissa writes honestly and with no apologies for her past and with passion about her lyrics. I enjoyed her explanations and find myself understanding the songs a little better now when I listen to them.

Should you? : If you know her music then yes - if you don't a lot of it will pass over your head. It isn't the longest book in the world so it wouldn't take forever to get through if you fancied it.

Did I? : Most definitely enjoyed this one yup. I think it could stand for a new edition soon as a couple of things have happened to Melissa since that edition.

Amazing..., 20 Aug 2004
I hate biographies. They usually contain too much completely boring information. This autobiography was more like sitting down over a coffee and listening to someone be completely open.

Melissa describes her life growing up in small-town America and reveals very personal parts of her life. She tells of her struggles with her relationships and with her family regarding her sexual orientation.

She's very frank about her relationships with people. She's also very passionate and fair in her descriptions of them... in many cases, she may be too fair to people who probably don't deserve it.

All in all, a pleasing (if quick) read. A candid and fascinating memoire by a passionate and enduring figure who deserves every ounce of respect she gets.

This book will make you a fan., 04 Sep 2002
I bought this book as an on/off Melissa Etheridge fan - I had Breakdown and I listened to it on and off but I never felt the urge to go out and buy all her previous albums. This book changed that. The insight Melissa provides into her songwriting is more than enough to make you want to hear the songs she's talking about. She writes down the lyrics but obviously that's no substitute for the real thing. This was the main thing I took away from the book. It was also interesting to see how her various relationships have affected her writing. Of course, there's a reason why she called the book 'My Life in Love and Music.'

Amazing!, 24 Jun 2002
The most truthful, honest, emotional, sensitive and factual auto biographies ever written. No holes barred, frank and straight to the point. A powerfully, condensed, raw book of feeling. A must for any Melissa Etheridge fan and anyone else fed up with flowered up, fancy life stories. Highly recommended, amazing book that will take you from misunderstanding, through intrigue to joy and tears then back again.

funny therapy!, 19 Jun 2008
This book is awesome. It's funny, it's raw and it's thought provoking. I admire Adnrea's ability to speak her mind and her courage to be herself. The book is written in a diary format which makes is easy to read but impossible to put down! Gay, straight, mommy, no mommy, I'd be surprised if you didn't find something in this book that touched you and inspired you. Enjoy x

Better than Winterdance, 25 Jun 2008
Contrary to some other reviews, I absolutely loved this book and thought it was much, much, much better written than Winterdance. Yes, the chap is a journalist and it means that he is able to write in complete, grammatically-correct sentences!
There was more detail in his descriptions of the race and I enjoyed every minute of it.
I was slightly puzzled by the title though - it seems to have little relevance to the story - maybe it is just meant to get your attention?
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone - even my mother loved it!

My lead dog was a lesbian., 30 Jun 2005
Having read Winter Dance first which I have read several times already I was really looking forward to reading this book about the 'The Last Great Race' the Iditarod. I found this a slow read due to the fact that the author has also been a reporter and I personally thought that he was writing it like that whereby one minute he was on about himself and his dog team and the next he would go off on a complete tangent either about his past or what was happening to others on the race.

Having said this it did get better towards the end of the book when he concentrated on the last 11 teams who stuck together towards the end of the race telling you about the trials they were going through with the weather conditions they had to endure aswell as the dogs being exhausted.

The other saving grace that I found interesting was the author put in race posistions and time finished of those who took part in the race at the back of the book along with 1st and last place people and timings over the years so that sets your imagination going thinking about how technology has helped the sport plus thinking about the weathers conditions when comparing timings etc.
This is my verdict on this book others have obviously liked it and would argue the fact, but I would recommend Winter Dance and not this book.

A story about Grit, 02 Mar 1999
This book was hard to put down. Every time I started to read, I wanted to know what happened next. Every chapter was a new adventure for Brian O'Donoghue. I have a deep respect for what he did. I can only imagine how it was attempting to finish the "Last Great Race", the Iditarod. This is a TRUE story about determination and strong will power to accomplish one thing, finish the Iditarod.

Frank Discussion of Other Mushers Adds to Realism of Book.., 13 Jun 1996
I ordered this book based on rave reviews of others. Initially, the shift in time from one scene to another is confusing, but once the reader gets used to the format, the book is engrossing. Having also read Winterdance, by Gary Paulsen, I was prepared for the descriptions of the grueling test the mushers and dogs face. What was great about THIS book is the realism of the event and especially the character sketches of "name" mushers. The other mushers in the race are far more than just names, they are real people, acting in the "sometimes great, sometimes evil, sometimes stupid, sometimes humane" way that real people do. In addition, because the book spends a lot of time "in the back" of the race, you understand that the Iditarod tests ALL the mushers, not just the winners.

Heart-warming and mind-opening, 10 Feb 1999
Heart-warming and mind-opening, written with tremendous honesty and directness and down-to-earth intelligence. Absolutely recommended.

It leaves you wanting more, 29 Mar 2001
What a well written book this is! Once I started it I found myself unnable to put it down. This book gives a perspective of Ellen that not only tells of the humour, but also of the sadness and development of her being. If you're a fan of Ellen then you'll love this book, and if you're not? After reading this you'll surely respect her!

A Must for All Ellen Fans, 23 Apr 2000
This book provides a sensitive and revealing insight into Ellen, her career, family and relationships. It is very readable and a good addition to Love, Ellen by Betty Degeneres.

Seriously informative stuff this book, 24 Aug 1999
Always on the lookout for more Ellen info how could I resist. There's loads of background into the workings of the show and some personal details that you won't get from Betty DeGeneres book. The cast interviews are great and it demonstrates that some of the anger which ahs been directed at the netowrk about the series is justified but some is not. A good informative book for Ellenheads.

If U love Ellen you'll love this!, 17 Aug 1999
This book is a must for all Ellen fans. It gives you and insight to her life from her school days, through her tennage years and the until she found her direction in Comedy. It carries on through her days as a stand up through to "Ellen". If you're a British fan then buy it because there is much we have missed out on and this book fills you in. We tend to only know her for her comedy and this books lets you know a little bit more and gives you and interesting insight into Ellen's life. There are also some other interviews with the cast memebers of "Ellen" that you are sure to enjoy!

A must-buy for all Ellen fans, 22 Jul 1999
This excellent, easy to read book tells you all you need to know about Ellen - from her early days in the comedy scene in New Orleans, through her eponymous sitcom, and onto her life since coming out on screen. It also has interesting interviews with some of her fellow actors on "Ellen" - the one with Joely Fisher is particularly good. And to top it all, there are some fabulous photos as well! Buy this book if you are an Ellen fan - you won't be disappointed!

Don't think twice BUY IT!, 06 Feb 2004
There are simply no words that can summarise this book in the light it deserves. A beautiful account of a mother / daughter relationship - how the mother (Betty Degeneres) reacts to the daughter (Ellen) coming out and later goes on to help with the ongoing struggle for gay / lesbian rights. An incredible journey indeed!
An informative narration with such a personal edge - please read it (not to spoil it but there's even a 'one on one' meeting / question and answer at the back of the book). There could possibly be a few photos in there too...
Borrow it from a friend - show it to your friend - reccomend it to your parents - Just read it - Benefit from this marvellous book - If it's the only thing you do - get it - you won't be disappointed ;)

I wish I had the courage to give this to my mum!, 16 Oct 2000
Ellen Degeneres decided to live her life in truth. After reading this book you can definitely see where she got her courage and strength from. Whether gay or straight you have got to admire the whole Degeneres clan for their support of Ellen and each other. Betty Degeneres' book touched every emotion inside my body and as a woman who is not 'out' I wish she was my mum! It is a book about truth, in Ellen's life, in Betty's life and hopefully in my life to come - because the book does give you strength to want to reach this place where she is with this mother/daughter relationship. It is a wonderful and cohesive journey throughout and shows us a new dimension to this already multi-talented woman. Betty would probably say that she was just a regular mother, but if there were more mothers/fathers/sisters/brothers/friends/co-workers, even strangers, like her in this world there would be less people like me. I have read the book three times in as many months and it will always remain one of my treasured possessions.

And, as they say in America 'GO BETTY'!

Informative, Witty and Insightful!, 29 Aug 1999
This book was an excellent source of encouragement and education for those who are gay and their family members. Betty Degeneres looks at sexuality and the issues that it brings in society today. She speaks of her journey after finding out her daughter Ellen is gay and the acceptance and closeness that came along afterwards through the years. This book is excellent reading for anyone with gay family members or friends, and for those of us who are still struggling with our own sexuality. I loved this book! Thank you Betty!

Uplifting, and thought provoking., 11 May 1999
Betty Degeneres gave us a wonderful glimpse into her world; our world. Her journey is an uplifting one full of wisdom and hard lessons learned. I'm glad for the sharing. A bit self-indulgent at times, however... I'm only too glad to indulge her. Mrs. Degeneres, Thank You!

A mother's love story., 03 May 1999
Betty DeGeneres reminds me of my mom. There is so much love that it really shines through out all of the pages-for Ellen ,Anne and Vance. It takes a while after you come out to your mom, but it is worth the wait. Living your truth is extremely important.

brutally honest...brilliant!, 01 Oct 2006
Wow. I've just finished reading this book and it has left me in a kind of stupor. It may be one of the shorter biographies out there but the title says it all. What it is saying is `this is the truth, as I see it and saw it then, feel it now and felt it then.'

There are so many things about this book that I love firstly that it's so raw and pure that it has left me bewildered and yet full of emotion towards this woman who doesn't even know I exist. The tale is so simply told but it grabs you till you can almost feel what she feels...the pain, sorrow and happiness become yours.
There's quite a bit on where her music comes from. The real stories behind some of the lyrics that have become so famous, and you'll be amazed just how different they can be from general perception. One of my favourite is how she came to write `sleep', the presence of which had always seemed odd on her `Breakdown' album. The bittersweet origins have made this song a little more special to me as I had brushed it aside before.
A few unpublished lines she has penned creep in as do pictures of friends and family. Plus the one I read had an Afterword which was written a year after the book was finished and brings in a bit about Tammy and the new life.

This book takes the image of the perfect lives of the rich and famous and tears it apart to show a real human beneath it all.
A wonderful book that will add more meaning to the music and one I recommend with 10 stars.


Melissa writes honestly and with no apologies for her past and with passion about her lyrics., 11 Aug 2006
When we boarded the ferry for a family holiday to France my friend Jacqui got out her book. She read a few pages and put it down. Big mistake. I picked it up and by the time we arrived at the caravan I had finished it.

It was the singer / songwriter Melissa Etheridge's autobiography. Seemingly it must have been called "The Truth Is... My Life in Love and Music" but to be honest I don't think I looked at the title!

Last year my other friend Maaike introduced me to loads of new artists I had never heard of before. Melissa was one of them. Later Jacqui and I surfed eBay and we added most of Etheridge's cds to our collection.

I knew a little about Melissa's life through general conversation but had wondered about how she had arrived where she is now. This book explained most everything, warts and all. It was incredibly easy to read and was also an ongoing explanation of the reasons behind the lyrics of her songs - some of which I absolutely love. The book proves that the lyrics are personal to her - not her just churning out songs to appease the record company.

Melissa writes honestly and with no apologies for her past and with passion about her lyrics. I enjoyed her explanations and find myself understanding the songs a little better now when I listen to them.

Should you? : If you know her music then yes - if you don't a lot of it will pass over your head. It isn't the longest book in the world so it wouldn't take forever to get through if you fancied it.

Did I? : Most definitely enjoyed this one yup. I think it could stand for a new edition soon as a couple of things have happened to Melissa since that edition.

Amazing..., 20 Aug 2004
I hate biographies. They usually contain too much completely boring information. This autobiography was more like sitting down over a coffee and listening to someone be completely open.

Melissa describes her life growing up in small-town America and reveals very personal parts of her life. She tells of her struggles with her relationships and with her family regarding her sexual orientation.

She's very frank about her relationships with people. She's also very passionate and fair in her descriptions of them... in many cases, she may be too fair to people who probably don't deserve it.

All in all, a pleasing (if quick) read. A candid and fascinating memoire by a passionate and enduring figure who deserves every ounce of respect she gets.

This book will make you a fan., 04 Sep 2002
I bought this book as an on/off Melissa Etheridge fan - I had Breakdown and I listened to it on and off but I never felt the urge to go out and buy all her previous albums. This book changed that. The insight Melissa provides into her songwriting is more than enough to make you want to hear the songs she's talking about. She writes down the lyrics but obviously that's no substitute for the real thing. This was the main thing I took away from the book. It was also interesting to see how her various relationships have affected her writing. Of course, there's a reason why she called the book 'My Life in Love and Music.'

Amazing!, 24 Jun 2002
The most truthful, honest, emotional, sensitive and factual auto biographies ever written. No holes barred, frank and straight to the point. A powerfully, condensed, raw book of feeling. A must for any Melissa Etheridge fan and anyone else fed up with flowered up, fancy life stories. Highly recommended, amazing book that will take you from misunderstanding, through intrigue to joy and tears then back again.

funny therapy!, 19 Jun 2008
This book is awesome. It's funny, it's raw and it's thought provoking. I admire Adnrea's ability to speak her mind and her courage to be herself. The book is written in a diary format which makes is easy to read but impossible to put down! Gay, straight, mommy, no mommy, I'd be surprised if you didn't find something in this book that touched you and inspired you. Enjoy x

Better than Winterdance, 25 Jun 2008
Contrary to some other reviews, I absolutely loved this book and thought it was much, much, much better written than Winterdance. Yes, the chap is a journalist and it means that he is able to write in complete, grammatically-correct sentences!
There was more detail in his descriptions of the race and I enjoyed every minute of it.
I was slightly puzzled by the title though - it seems to have little relevance to the story - maybe it is just meant to get your attention?
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone - even my mother loved it!

My lead dog was a lesbian., 30 Jun 2005
Having read Winter Dance first which I have read several times already I was really looking forward to reading this book about the 'The Last Great Race' the Iditarod. I found this a slow read due to the fact that the author has also been a reporter and I personally thought that he was writing it like that whereby one minute he was on about himself and his dog team and the next he would go off on a complete tangent either about his past or what was happening to others on the race.

Having said this it did get better towards the end of the book when he concentrated on the last 11 teams who stuck together towards the end of the race telling you about the trials they were going through with the weather conditions they had to endure aswell as the dogs being exhausted.

The other saving grace that I found interesting was the author put in race posistions and time finished of those who took part in the race at the back of the book along with 1st and last place people and timings over the years so that sets your imagination going thinking about how technology has helped the sport plus thinking about the weathers conditions when comparing timings etc.
This is my verdict on this book others have obviously liked it and would argue the fact, but I would recommend Winter Dance and not this book.

A story about Grit, 02 Mar 1999
This book was hard to put down. Every time I started to read, I wanted to know what happened next. Every chapter was a new adventure for Brian O'Donoghue. I have a deep respect for what he did. I can only imagine how it was attempting to finish the "Last Great Race", the Iditarod. This is a TRUE story about determination and strong will power to accomplish one thing, finish the Iditarod.

Frank Discussion of Other Mushers Adds to Realism of Book.., 13 Jun 1996
I ordered this book based on rave reviews of others. Initially, the shift in time from one scene to another is confusing, but once the reader gets used to the format, the book is engrossing. Having also read Winterdance, by Gary Paulsen, I was prepared for the descriptions of the grueling test the mushers and dogs face. What was great about THIS book is the realism of the event and especially the character sketches of "name" mushers. The other mushers in the race are far more than just names, they are real people, acting in the "sometimes great, sometimes evil, sometimes stupid, sometimes humane" way that real people do. In addition, because the book spends a lot of time "in the back" of the race, you understand that the Iditarod tests ALL the mushers, not just the winners.

Heart-warming and mind-opening, 10 Feb 1999
Heart-warming and mind-opening, written with tremendous honesty and directness and down-to-earth intelligence. Absolutely recommended.

A classic of modern literature, 30 May 2002
Reading this book it's almost impossible to believe that Audre Lorde is so little-known outside of the lesbian community - her writing overshadows so much of what is praised by the mainstream press. 'Zami' is her autobiography, tracing her relationship with her family, her experience of growing up black in a country still divided by segregation, the different women that she loved through her life and the development of her artistic career. It never lapses into self-pity or vain self-absorption, and is as engrossing as the best-paced novel. That Lorde was primarily a poet is obvious - her language is incredibly rich and sensual. It took me a year trailing around bookstore to find this work, and it was well worth it.

THIS BOOK IS AN EXCELLANT EXAMPLE OF THE EFFECTS OF OPRESSIO, 28 Feb 2000
THIS BOOK SHOWS WHAT OPRESSION REALLY IS. IT IS A POWERFUL BOOK, HOWEVER IT CAN BE TOO DISCRIPTIVE IN PARTS

It leaves you wanting more, 29 Mar 2001
What a well written book this is! Once I started it I found myself unnable to put it down. This book gives a perspective of Ellen that not only tells of the humour, but also of the sadness and development of her being. If you're a fan of Ellen then you'll love this book, and if you're not? After reading this you'll surely respect her!

A Must for All Ellen Fans, 23 Apr 2000
This book provides a sensitive and revealing insight into Ellen, her career, family and relationships. It is very readable and a good addition to Love, Ellen by Betty Degeneres.

Seriously informative stuff this book, 24 Aug 1999
Always on the lookout for more Ellen info how could I resist. There's loads of background into the workings of the show and some personal details that you won't get from Betty DeGeneres book. The cast interviews are great and it demonstrates that some of the anger which ahs been directed at the netowrk about the series is justified but some is not. A good informative book for Ellenheads.

If U love Ellen you'll love this!, 17 Aug 1999
This book is a must for all Ellen fans. It gives you and insight to her life from her school days, through her tennage years and the until she found her direction in Comedy. It carries on through her days as a stand up through to "Ellen". If you're a British fan then buy it because there is much we have missed out on and this book fills you in. We tend to only know her for her comedy and this books lets you know a little bit more and gives you and interesting insight into Ellen's life. There are also some other interviews with the cast memebers of "Ellen" that you are sure to enjoy!

A must-buy for all Ellen fans, 22 Jul 1999
This excellent, easy to read book tells you all you need to know about Ellen - from her early days in the comedy scene in New Orleans, through her eponymous sitcom, and onto her life since coming out on screen. It also has interesting interviews with some of her fellow actors on "Ellen" - the one with Joely Fisher is particularly good. And to top it all, there are some fabulous photos as well! Buy this book if you are an Ellen fan - you won't be disappointed!

Don't think twice BUY IT!, 06 Feb 2004
There are simply no words that can summarise this book in the light it deserves. A beautiful account of a mother / daughter relationship - how the mother (Betty Degeneres) reacts to the daughter (Ellen) coming out and later goes on to help with the ongoing struggle for gay / lesbian rights. An incredible journey indeed!
An informative narration with such a personal edge - please read it (not to spoil it but there's even a 'one on one' meeting / question and answer at the back of the book). There could possibly be a few photos in there too...
Borrow it from a friend - show it to your friend - reccomend it to your parents - Just read it - Benefit from this marvellous book - If it's the only thing you do - get it - you won't be disappointed ;)

I wish I had the courage to give this to my mum!, 16 Oct 2000
Ellen Degeneres decided to live her life in truth. After reading this book you can definitely see where she got her courage and strength from. Whether gay or straight you have got to admire the whole Degeneres clan for their support of Ellen and each other. Betty Degeneres' book touched every emotion inside my body and as a woman who is not 'out' I wish she was my mum! It is a book about truth, in Ellen's life, in Betty's life and hopefully in my life to come - because the book does give you strength to want to reach this place where she is with this mother/daughter relationship. It is a wonderful and cohesive journey throughout and shows us a new dimension to this already multi-talented woman. Betty would probably say that she was just a regular mother, but if there were more mothers/fathers/sisters/brothers/friends/co-workers, even strangers, like her in this world there would be less people like me. I have read the book three times in as many months and it will always remain one of my treasured possessions.

And, as they say in America 'GO BETTY'!

Informative, Witty and Insightful!, 29 Aug 1999
This book was an excellent source of encouragement and education for those who are gay and their family members. Betty Degeneres looks at sexuality and the issues that it brings in society today. She speaks of her journey after finding out her daughter Ellen is gay and the acceptance and closeness that came along afterwards through the years. This book is excellent reading for anyone with gay family members or friends, and for those of us who are still struggling with our own sexuality. I loved this book! Thank you Betty!

Uplifting, and thought provoking., 11 May 1999
Betty Degeneres gave us a wonderful glimpse into her world; our world. Her journey is an uplifting one full of wisdom and hard lessons learned. I'm glad for the sharing. A bit self-indulgent at times, however... I'm only too glad to indulge her. Mrs. Degeneres, Thank You!

A mother's love story., 03 May 1999
Betty DeGeneres reminds me of my mom. There is so much love that it really