Elizabeth Edwards (1)Rezensionen

I admire Elizabeth very much. I liked her first book better, but her resilient nature showed through in both her books. Her ability to keep moving forward through it all is nothing short of amazing. I did sense bitterness in this book - mostly over the public humiliation of her husband's affair. It comes through in statements like the one she made 2/3 way through the book that if you bought the book for details of the affair you could stop reading right then. I think in the end it seemed she directed her anger at his mistress and the public because she needed to forgive him for many reasons. He was at her bedside at the end, because he needed her for just as many.

This is an honest book written by a woman who endured much pain, both physically and emotionally.

Presidential hopeful John Edwards was a family man who seemed to love married life. Trusted by his wife and emotionally supported by her when he ran both for a senate seat and as a presidential hopeful, he systematically destroyed that trust when he lied, claiming a one night stand with Rielle Hunter was the extent of his relationship with her.

Tragically, his lie was compounded when Elizabeth discovered that the relationship was ongoing.

While it may have cost Edwards his political career, the emotional price his wife paid was much higher.

Battling breast cancer, sadly, she died in 2010.

This is not a sour grapes book, rather it is a story told of loss of a son who died suddenly in a car accident at the age of 16. Then, struggling to survive extreme grief, she discovered a mass which lead to the diagnosis of breast cancer. Bad news came in three for Elizabeth when her fortitude and faith was again challenged upon learning of her husband's very public lies and deception.

All these topics are dealt with in a non-bitter fashion. This is a woman to be emulated and admired. She dealt with her adversities head on with dignity and grace.

The harshest comment was that John's choices were very poor, leading the reader to know that Elizabeth felt Rielle was not a person of high moral caliber.½

I was suprised how this book got my attention from the first few pages. Very well written, honest. Elizabeth put into words many of the thoughts I had and feelings I experienced, after losing my young husband when I was 31 and left with two little girls to raise. The loss of her son is tragic. It is interesting how she found support through the internet - something I have been doing for years - and was glad to see the benefits of internet support written about in such a positive light. It was sad when she inevitably lost her battle with cancer, but she knew you have to life to the fullest with whatever time you are given. I also thought it was interesting how he talked about her marriage with John; perhaps she never fully understood (or wanted to) the depth of his infidelity anymore than she wanted to believe the likelihood of her father's indiscretion. It's hard to accept betrayals by those we love and trust because it makes a lie out of the life we think we are leading. An excellent, fast read.

A very heartfelt bio. Unfortunately she portrays her marriage as wonderful,when in fact it has come to light that her husband had not been true to his vows for some time.. She keeps going and that is what shines through.

I read this book for my book club. I am not a real fan of nonfiction but I really liked this book. It was easy to read and encouraging. I didn't know anything about the author's background or story before reading this book either. Although the subject matter is sad, I would recommend this book to others. I was sad to hear the author lost her fight with breast cancer but the message of her book will live on.½

Classy lady who dealt positively with her life's adversities.

Elizabeth Edwards was honest, and forthright about prioritizing the losses one may suffer in their lifetime. I was drawn to read this book, after hearing her interviewed several times. We shared the common bond of mothers who lost their son. It was an important read for me to affirm my feelings regarding my loss and to also gain some insight into the act of moving forward no matter how many times you fall back.

Elizabeth was able to convey the message that women need to honor themselves in all that they do. She was spiritual, without being "preachy". A tiger of a Mom, and always giving her kids the gift of love. I admire the way that she handled her husband's indiscretions and failures. He did not know what he had until he lost it and he was never man enough to "man up" and acknowledge his poor judgment. Ego will cost him in the long run if with no one else but his children.

I recommend this book anyone who may need a boost to their spirit and also recommend that you suggest this book to young women who are just starting out on the road to life. Perspective is everything. May Elizabeth Edwards rest in peace knowing she has given so much.

We meet a different Elizabeth Edwards in Resilience than we did in her earlier book Saving Graces. This woman is older, of course, but also more resolute, practical, and edgier. Less concerned with being “graceful,” she is plain-spoken about the changes in her life.

As in the earlier book, she writes at length about the loss of her older son, Wade, but there is more distance now and maybe some resolution, although she states firmly that she will never be “over” him, but rather that she has learned to go living a life without him in it.

Her marriage, once presented as a nearly perfect union,”a great love story,” has faltered over husband John’s affair with a campaign worker. She gives no sordid details of the affair, no sensationalism here. Rather she talks about the loss of trust, the thought that her support system, her best friend might be gone. Yet, John never expected to not be a part of Elizabeth’s life forever. “Now it was not what I would do faced with his indiscretion that mattered. Cancer was writing the script. Cancer would decide. And realizing this, he broke down with fear and love and regret.” (pg.137) They continue to crusade together on the issues they consider vital, and he is with her through every treatment she receives.

Forever…another concept that Edwards explores at length. It’s now taken on a whole new meaning for her. Due to her returning cancer, she now has no idea how much time she has left. She knows she wants more than she will have. On pg. 131, she says “In a moment—a ‘you have cancer’ moment—all the genetic aces folded. I was—am—desperately afraid of losing the precious moments of life.” “My schedule is now and always will be determined by infusion appointments and MRI’s. Every Christmas is my last well Christmas, or it could be.” (pg. 33)

Elizabeth, however, does not leave us with a grim feeling. Crusader and fighter that she has always been, she will not give up the fights—not for her family, not for her causes, not for her cancer. She wrests what control she can from her life right now. “All that is in my control is how I live now.” (pg. 149) She has chosen to fill her days with the “best Joys” she can find—her children, her friends, her crusade to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research and to champion health care for those affected. No, she’s not going down without a fight.

The title Resilience is an apt description of the author. She has, she says, gotten very adept at getting back up when dealt a blow. After each, she believes, a different life begins; we cannot go back to the old one. Each time there is a new story to write. And with this book, she has.
Elizabeth Edwards lives her two youngest children in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She continues to do interviews for her book, to travel in support of various causes and has recently won an award from Mass General Hospital for her work on behalf of breast cancer and health coverage issues.

Elizabeth Edwards is an amazing woman living her life with dignity and grace. She confronts issues in her life in this book head on and manages to maintain her dignity. She states flat out if you're looking for a scandalous story about her husband you shouuld stop reading. It's difficult to read because her life has been beset with tragedy but you appreciate her all the more.

Elizabeth Edwards is a fluent and beautiful writer. She has a knack for getting to the core and making it real. I loved her first book though it was hard to read. The painful grieving process after the death of her oldest child was breathtaking and horrible. In this book she writes about the death of her child again, plus her fight with breast cancer and her situation with the infidelity of her husband. Any one of these three is too much to bear, and yet, she has borne all three and can write about the pain and not seem like a suffering victim. She has had much more financial success than most, but much more tragedy than many. I find it hard not to be impressed with her.

Resilience was a short memoir, evidently her second…I have not read the first. She covered all the tragedies that have shaped her life as played out in the media. She talks a lot about the death of her 16 you son, Wade. Then she covers her breast cancer treatment and the recurrence which has left her a cancer patient for life. Finally she addresses her husband’s infidelity. I am still aghast at the fact that he even considered this liaison. What a schmuck. The book appeared to be honest to a point. It wasn’t too sensational or too morbid. I found that the part I liked best was the last chapter or so where she pulled it all together and made some interesting comments on life’s journey. It was worth the read since I had it, but I wouldn’t run out and get it. I find it very troubling that we insist on making our politicians and our celebrities bear up under the intense scrutiny of the media. I question whether this is truly necessary, but I guess there is no going back to the good ole days when there were clandestine affairs and everyone was able to bury their “secret sorrows”.½

Elizabeth Edwards is an amazing woman living her life with dignity and grace. She confronts issues in her life in this book head on and manages to maintain her dignity. She states flat out if you're looking for a scandalous story about her husband you shouuld stop reading.

It's difficult to read because her life has been beset with tragedy but you appreciate her all the more.

Democratic or Republican, it simply does not matter when reading this book. Elizabeth Edwards frank and at times excruitating look into her personal life is a great gift. She deals with the life-altering death of her son, cancer, and her husbands affair with grace, determination and dignity; but also gives the reader a sense that she is not un-human like in her grief, anger, and pain.½

A bit self-pitying albeit easy to believe story of marriage of Elizabeth and John Edwards.

Edwards talks about her life's losses and how she has adjusted. It is painfully clear that the loss of their 16 year old son to a freak car accident is her major loss. Her coping with anything else is less drastic.

She comes across as a strong, balanced woman, who has worked hard to get to that place. What I liked best and found the most hopeful....she has opened a furniture store in NC. This is her store, her place, where she is known for herself. I love that!

A very conflicted book. When discussing her deceased older son, she seems almost frantic; when discussing her cancer she seems to be sitting on the sidelines observing herself; and when discussing her husband's indiscretion (her word), she just sort of matter of fact. Additionally, it is amazing to me how she can compartmentalize her life for the purposes of writing the book. It isn't until near the end that she mentions all three of her tribulations together. She is a remarkable woman, a very intelligent person with great wisdom.½

I would vote for her husband just from this book. She is an amazing woman!

I have just started this book, but love it already. What an incredible woman Elizabeth Edwards is. I will rate it when I have completed it, which shouldn't be long because I can't put it down!