My Life So Far

By: Jane Fonda

Narrated by: Jane Fonda

Length: 21 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

She is one of the most recognizable women of our time. America knows Jane Fonda as an actress and an activist, a feminist and a wife, a workout guru and a role model. Now, in this extraordinary memoir, Fonda reveals that she is so much more. From her youth among Hollywood's elite and her early film career to the challenges and triumphs of her life today, Jane Fonda reveals intimate details and universal truths that she hopes "can provide a lens through which others can see their lives and how they can live them a little differently."

Fonda divides her "life so far" into three "acts", writing about her childhood, first films, and marriage to Roger Vadim in Act One. At once a picture emerges: a child born to the acting legend Henry Fonda and the glamorous society princess Frances Seymour. But these early years are also marked by profound sadness: her mother's mental illness and suicide when Jane is 12 years old, her father's emotional distance, and her personal struggle to find her way in the world as a young woman.

By her second act, Fonda lays the foundation for her activism, even as her career takes flight. She highlights her struggle to live consciously and authentically while remaining in the public eye as she recounts her marriages to Tom Hayden and Ted Turner, and examines her controversial and defining involvement with the Vietnam War. As her film career grows, Fonda learns to incorporate her roles into a larger vision of what matters most in her life, and in the process she wins two Academy Awards, for Klute and for Coming Home.

In Fonda's third act, she is prepared to do the work of a lifetime, to begin living consciously in a way that might inspire others who can learn from her experiences.

Surprising, candid, and wonderfully written, Jane Fonda's My Life So Far is filled with universal insights into the personal struggles of women living full and engaged lives.

Want to hear about Jane Fonda's first date with Ted Turner? She talks about that night and more in this interview with Audible's founder and CEO, Don Katz.

©2005 Jane Fonda (P)2005 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

“Belongs alongside the memoirs of Gloria Steinem, Bella Abzug, Marilyn French and Katharine Graham....To hold this book in your hands is to be astonished by how much living can be packed into 60-plus years.” (Los Angeles Times)

“[A] sisterly, enveloping memoir...an intimate, haunting book that might as well be catnip from its ever controversial author.” (Janet Maslin, The New York Times)

“Terrific...rich...unexpectedly quite moving.” (San Francisco Chronicle)

Awesome

No words to describe how hopeful Mrs. Fonda’s journey have imprint in me.
I only wish there were more humans like her that make a difference on this shattered world.

Thought provoking, worth the time

I wasn't sure about Jane Fonda before listening to this book. i'm sure about her now. I like her, I like her a lot!

Extraordinary

One of the finest - is not THE finest - autobiographies I have ever read. Jane Fonda is extraordinary.

appreciated it a lot

Enlightening, informative, riveting, motivating, captivating, encouraging, like sunshine breaking through the clouds. thank you Jayne

Inspiring

I’ve always loved Jane. I really enjoyed her old Hollywood stories and growing up. Her activism and take on her Vietnam controversy is interesting.But most of all I think I learned she’s a good girl. I’m sad the book is over.

She speaks for me

There are so many parallels in our lives, even though I did not have the fame and wealth, that she eloquently speaks for me. It was great to hear her voice her own story. Excellent.

Like food for the soul

Loved it! Related in so many ways to Jane's honesty about herself and her struggle. It was very healing and self enlightening! would recommend it to all women!

Excellent, meaningful, honest. autobiography.

Jane Fonda truly gets better with age. I appreciated her use of the language and her honesty. Parts of her story rang so true with me (and probably most women 50+) that it was like a therapy session! Highly recommend!

The Other Side of Jane

I appreciated Jane's story, especially her setting the record straight about her actions in Hanoi. Jane goes into detail about every phase of her life from childhood onward. She talks about her insecurities, and about every important relationship she’s had. She gives her behind-the-scenes insights about the movies that she is most proud of. Jane has done a fine job of turning her life around in a male-oriented world, and has blossomed in the process. She’s an actor by profession, but she does not let her fame define who she is. She’s intelligent, an activist, and puts her money where her mouth is. She works to help young disadvantaged girls: gain self-esteem, prevent under-aged pregnancy, and strive for a meaningful life. Well done, Jane.

Wow, what a life! Amazing woman!

This book is brilliant! Jane Fonda has led a very interesting life. I now understand the whole Vietnam thing, too.
She is extremely candid about everything in her life in this book. It doesn't feel like she's "reading" it to you, either. It feels like she is "telling you" her life story. It's incredible! I highly recommend this book!
Amazing book about an amazing woman--thank you Jane Fonda! I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could!