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Bristol Palin lived the life of an average American teen. She loved being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and focusing on schoolwork and sports. But when her mother became the Republican vice presidential candidate in 2008, Bristol’s world changed forever. She was instantly propelled into the national spotlight, becoming the focus of intense public and national media scrutiny at the age of seventeen.
In this personal memoir, Bristol opens up for the first time, taking readers behind the scenes of her life, from growing up in Alaska to coming of age amid the media and political frenzy surrounding her mother’s political rise; from becoming a single mother while still a teenager to coping as her relationship with the baby’s father crumbled publicly—not once, but twice. Through all of these ups and downs, Bristol learned how to face her challenges head-on with courage and grace, traits she put to good use as a contestant and finalist on Dancing with the Stars.
In Not Afraid of Life, Bristol speaks candidly of her aspirations and of the deep religious faith that gives her strength and inspiration. Plainspoken and disarmingly down-to-earth, Bristol offers new insight and understanding of who she is and what she values most.
Introduction 1
Chapter 1 Where It All Began 9
Chapter 2 First Impressions 29
Chapter 3 Losing It 41
Chapter 4 Not Like Other Families 53
Chapter 5 Failing the Test 75
Chapter 6 Van Palin and Other Surprises 87
Chapter 7 Unconventional 107
Chapter 8 Looking the Part 117
Chapter 9 Sinking In 135
Chapter 10 Not Picture Perfect 149
Chapter 11 Already Ben There 175
Chapter 12 Home 191
Chapter 13 Home Is Where the U-Haul Is 209
Chapter 14 There's Plenty of Fish in the Sea 213
Chapter 15 Shaking What My Momma Gave Me 221
Chapter 16 Seeing Things Clearly 247
Acknowledgment 255
ItalianJerseyGirl
Posted June 19, 2011
Great BOOK!! I finished it in a few hours and now I wish I was best friends with Bristol!(haha) I'm surprised to hear that her book isn't due out till the 24th since I was able to buy it in Newark Airport a few days ago but anyway it was a great book. Even if you don't like Sarah Palin, you should still read it because you learn a lot about their lives and come to realize that before the 2008 election, they were completely normal people with normal problems. Although I always liked the Palin family (I always thought that the way they were treated was beyond ridiculous) but now I can't help but feel bad that this once normal family is now one of America's most polarizing families. While everyone has the right to their own beliefs, America's hate for Sarah Palin and her family is disgusting and because of this I hope Sarah decides to run and wins just as a smack in the face to all those who have trashed her and her family.
34 out of 53 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 22, 2011
that liberals would use this spot to bash Bristol and her family. If you don't want to read the book, don't. But dont' bash this young lady for writing it or for anything in it. You're probably not perfect yourself, and at least she is supporting herself and her child and not taking handouts from the govt. to do so.
28 out of 44 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 22, 2011
If you don't like the Palin family or if you're not that fond- why on God's green Earth would you read this? This young woman grabbed life by the horns and accepted and dealt with the cards she was dealt. How dare anyone of us criticize? Her book is real and honest about HER experience from HER point of view; if you're not interested in hearing about, learning and reading about her life and what she has learned along the way- then don't! Plan and simple. I think Bristol did a fabulous job and should be commended for a job well done!
19 out of 32 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 23, 2011
Not a lot of substance here, and I was rather surprised at the vindictiveness directed toward people who have played a part in funding her bank account. Not to mention that someday her son will read this book. Some things are best kept private, such as Cindy McCaines offer of godmother to Briatol's baby. Better to keep things classy rather than use them to make some bucks. I'm sorry, I wanted to like this book but for me, it only made me realize how shallow this person actually is. It literally made me nauseated.
16 out of 31 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 22, 2011
Bristol and Sarah are both so courageous for choosing life. Abortion does not make you un-pregnant, it makes you the mother of a dead baby.
13 out of 27 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 29, 2011
this book was boring and completely full of "me me me me me". not to mention that poor child who is being COMPLETELY exploited. Save your money, ave your time, save some brain cells.
7 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 25, 2011
If Levi is a "gnat", Bristol must be feces. Anyway, it saddens me that she chooses to attack the father of her child with is not very healthy, since there may come a time the teenager will want to get to know his father.
7 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 23, 2011
great book! let the liberals complain...but it is ok when MTV glorifies teen pregnancy.....typical. phony. liberals. This is a very true book and this poor girl gets hit from liberals because of her last name. Like I said, these are the same liberals who are glued to teen mom and 16 & pregnant.
7 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 27, 2011
What an uplifting book!!! I highly recommend this book.
6 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 24, 2011
Bristol Palin the opportunist. She has no shame. Lied to her mom, got drunk, doesn't even remember having sex for the first time,(date rape?) got pregnant (the first time of course),threw her son's Dad under the bus, complains about everyone while she is making hundreds of thousands of dollars off her fzux "celebrity". Someone please tell me what she has done other than have a baby out of wedlock and chose to have it? Millions of girls have that story. Some people are so gullible they'll believe anything. She'll say anything if she thinks she can make money off of it. It's working for her so far. Wonder how her son will feel about the book when he is old enough to read it?
6 out of 20 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 23, 2011
I was never a big fan of sarah palin in 2008, i still am not a big fan of hers. However, this isn't about wether or not i like sarah palin or not. This book is a great book on someone who was thrust into the critical spotlight of the world we live in today, Bristol never asked to be thrown into the public eye. This book gives insight into her life in a way noone has heard before, from her, not the tabloids. Of course everyone already has an opinion of her or her family, but for me this book truly changed the way I thought of the Palin family. It is a good book that is hard to put down. Most of us can relate to her struggles in life, the differance is our struggles weren't played out for the world to see. This book is good for all ages.
6 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 2, 2011
I really enjoyed reading this book. Bristol Palin has really become a great young mother.
5 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 29, 2011
Give me a break! She needs to explain how the non-profit she "worked" for (Candies Foundation) paid her $262,500 and only gave out teeny tiny sums to young, struggling single moms and various clinics and resource centers. She can afford a nanny for her kid, a good school and all the creature comforts, while others can't even afford birthday gifts for their kids or even a healthy meal. Cry me a river Bristol!!! Spoiled, over-privileged brat. If she lived in the real world she'd be working in a fast food joint and struggling to stay in school. I find it infuriating that her mom's party is constantly trying to take away help for the poor and struggling and telling the masses to "just let private charities do the work." So private charities and foundations can pay someone $262,500 a year and virtually nothing to those who actually do need it? If that's how charities work most of America is screwed.
5 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 2, 2011
I really enjoyed this book! Much better than I thought it would be!
4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 1, 2011
I possibly came in as her biggest critic. I was amazed at people's reaction of her. I admired her bravery & determination to move forward. An obvious great book with a guide line on how to overcome great obsticles. Great detail Signed Liberal The world can judge you for doing wrong, but can they commend you for doing right!
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 29, 2011
What I find most concerning is Bristol Palin's profession of deep religious faith. She seems to have missed important religious education lessons on turning the other cheek, acceptance and tolerance of others, respect of differences. Instead, she is quick to judge and almost reflexively suspicious of others. What is most disturbing however is her absolute lack of understanding about the impact that her scorn and dislike for her son's father will have on their child. Children love their parents. Bristol Palin could demonstrate a true faith and a maturity by expressing nothing but the best hopes and encouragement for a good father-child relationship. Intentionally or not, she is encouraging her son to choose; this is a choice no child should be asked to make. Anyone with deep religious faith ought to know that it is wrong to set child against parent.
4 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 25, 2011
You can write whatever you want, about whatever you want, or whoever you want, and it doesn't matter who you are. So for those of you who are complaining, go get your own life and find something positive to do with it like Bristol did.
4 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 3, 2011
I just finished this amazing book. It was wonderful. It was filled with humor, which made me laugh aloud and it brought tears to my eyes, too. Bristol Palin is an amazing young woman. She speaks candidly about her relationship with Levi Johnston, who was a hard, cruel and ignorant young teen and man. Bristol tried so hard to make their relationship work for her son's sake but it was not meant to be. She tells of her relationship with her parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles and her love for her family is steadfast and amazing. She tells of her eye-opening experiences during the time her mother ran for VP with John McCain and her adventures in and out of Alaska's Governor's mansion. She shares her relationship with Mark Ballas and "Dancing with the Stars"... The book is fabulous. This young woman is a spectacular mother to her son, Tripp, "the love of her life". In addition, Bristol Palin is a steadfast Christian and a loving daughter to her parents, with whom she has a wonderful relationship. If only all Americans could have such a close and loving family and exciting life! Bristol Palin is a very complex and highly intelligent person. I loved the book.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 26, 2011
It is sad that people have attack this family..Sarah is a woman of conviction, truth and not a politician but speaks for conservative families as does Bristol. I do believe we are in the End TImes and we are truly seeing GOOD vs Evil...the Bible says in the last days, evil will be called good and Good will be called evil..I have ordered book and pray for this young woman and her family and that God will have mercy on those that have judged her so falsely!
3 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 29, 2011
It's funny how the libs are bashed for not liking the book, yet when Fantasia won American Idol Family Life Radio and so called Christian cons bashed her for being a single mom. If Fantasia is not a role model for being a teen mother, then, I'm sorry, Bristo can't wear the crown either.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
Bristol Palin lived the life of an average American teen. She loved being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and focusing on schoolwork and sports. But when her mother became the Republican vice presidential candidate in 2008, Bristol’s world changed forever. She was instantly propelled into the national spotlight, becoming the focus of intense public and national media scrutiny at the age of seventeen.
In this personal memoir, Bristol opens up for the first time, ...