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I'm Over All That  By  cover art

I'm Over All That

By: Shirley MacLaine
Narrated by: Shirley MacLaine
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Publisher's summary

At a certain time in life, we all come to realize what is truly important to us and what just doesn’t matter. For Shirley MacLaine, that time is now. In this wise, witty, and fearless collection of small observations and big-picture questions, she shares with listeners all those things that she is over dealing with in life, in love, at home, and in the larger world… as well as the things she will never get over, no matter how long she lives.

Among the things that Shirley is over: people who repeat themselves (“when you didn’t care what they said the first time”); conservatives and liberals; ill-mannered young people; the poison of celebrity (“Why do so many people want to be famous when they see how it can destroy your life?”); being polite to boring people (“If they won’t stop talking, I go into a trance and meditate”); getting older in Hollywood (“How peaceful it is not to have to look particularly pretty anymore or to wear a size 6”).

In the opposite camp, there are some things Shirley will never get over: good lighting (“Marlene Dietrich taught me how to light myself”); gorgeous costars (“The vanity of male actors is an impossible wall to scale”); performing live (“Yes, it is better than sex”); and above all, brave people with curious minds (“Fear is the most powerful weapon of mass destruction”).

Along the way, she recalls stories of some of the true greats she has known—Alfred Hitchcock, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, the two Jacks (Lemmon and Nicholson)—and ruminates on the state of Hollywood past and present. She recollects her relationships and romances with politicians (including two prime ministers), scientists, journalists, and costars.

Shirley MacLaine may be over all that, but this irresistible book ensures that we will never get over her.

©2011 Shirley MacLaine (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

What listeners say about I'm Over All That

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Getting over all that

I've learned many things from watching Shirley MacLaine perfom and from reading her writing. One of the things that I've learned from this book, however, is that perhaps it's not good to get over all things and that concern for what other people think could keep us from becoming overly self involved.
I did find parts of the book interesting and informative, but spending time with this author who seems to value powerful people (affording much leniency) while saving her invective for people in service positions was a major turn-off. Throwing rocks at the paparazzi (she admits she acted like a bitch, but it seems in her telling of it to indicate how real and spiritual she is.),describing a security guard as fat and slovenly because he gave her a hard time about boarding with her dog (My God didn't he know who she was?) and how inattentive waiters and waitresses are. Even though she thinks of herself as a gypsy (a dancer who works like a dog in the background- often recieving little acclaim), she became famous very early on and I assume never had to work as a waitress or in a service position dealing with entitled rich people. If she has then it hasn't seemed to teach her patience with people who aren't in positions of power like herself, politicians, mafia types and the rat pack. I wonder if she believes that cream rises to the top and that a caste system is in fact fair because it reflects the karma one has earned over many lifetimes.
I believe her words, but it comes mixed with some rather unattractive features or so it seems from this book and her reading of it. (She even sounds crotchety and pissed off.) It was not always enjoyable to spend time with her in this way.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

I am sorry that it ended. I can listen to Shirley MacLaine all day and all night. So very happy that I bought this audio book. I learned and grew so much. She confirmed so much for me and at the same time. opening me up with additional knowledge. I love the fascinating life she has lived. And, it encourages me to live the life I am supposed to live. It helped me to see where I am shorting myself and I am responsible for my own life and realities. She has encouraged me to do better. Through prayer to God the Father and my help in Jesus, I will. Thank you Shirley for confirming reincarnation for me. I am a Christian, but I know God is much more than what we read in the Bible. Thank you for your very powerful book, Shirley.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

This is a rant by any other name.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Meh.
For someone who is supposed to take a broader, more metaphysical view, of life, MacLaine (who I otherwise truly like as an artist) seems to kvetch too much about young people and world events in that "in my day" critical, stereotypical-of-cynical-old-people stance. I had hoped she'd be more encouraging. Less cerebral, more spiritually uplifting. I don't know why I expected that, but I did. She seems pissed off by a lot of things none of us can control instead of sort of Zen-ish about it all. For example, there's a moment in the book in which she gripes about travel through airports and the TSA searches. I figured she'd be over that.... Most of us are....we don't like it, but I didn't really want to buy a book by someone bitching about it....and plenty of other silly things.
By the way....why not mention her daughter? Is she over her too?

Would you be willing to try another book from Shirley MacLaine? Why or why not?

Possibly. I'd like to read her memoir.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Shirley MacLaine?

Yes, I enjoyed hearing her familiar voice.

What else would you have wanted to know about Shirley MacLaine’s life?

I guess I'd like to hear what she has to say on a GOOD day.

Any additional comments?

Nope. :o)

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Always Fascinating. Wonderfully Written

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Shirley MacLaine discussed UFOs with Jimmy Carter and had a fling with Pierrre Trudeau. How can you not be interested in her? As she states in this book, she's always been 30 years ahead of her time. Reading her earlier books instilled in me a passion for travel. To me she will always be a writer first and a performer second.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Really really enjoyed this...

What a funny, intelligent, witty and bright women who has had so many incredibly moving life experiences. Only Shirley can put things into perspective in a smart and funny way. I enjoyed this very much!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

If you like Shirley, you'll like this book

Shirley MacClaine has always told it like it is...and at this point in her life, she's holding nothing back. The fun is that if you're in the same age bracket, you'll find yourself agreeing because the same things drive you crazy in life -- the big things and the little things. Not as deep or as spiritual as her other books. More like a good gripe session with a good friend.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

She's authentic.

She's authentic, real and refreshing. Her direct approach is rare as people have become more unclear about what really matters in life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Spiritual / Life Answers

Perfect book for those on their spiritual quest. If you are drawn to this book, there is a reason. Your soul is seeking the information this book has to offer, or at least, that's what it is for me. Shirley certainly has done her homework looking for answers, enjoying life to the fullest, and sharing the conclusions that she's come to about what is important and what is not for her. Top advice is to never top asking questions and seeking answers. Fear is an unreal state of mind. Deal with life, people, situations, explore, and seek answers inside. I will be listening again as it reconfirms those conclusions I have come to exploring my own path, but adds to that in a very sage way. The Hollywood stuff is fun, but for me, the meat of the book is references to the meaning of life, those ideas that matter most to me. This is not for the closed minded, but then again, they are probably not going to be looking here for answers. I grew up with Shirley being a talented actor, singer, dancer who opened up about her spiritual journey along the way. Very grateful that she created the Audible version on this book. It's definitely on my "A" list.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Boring

I tried so much to like this book because I like Shirley McClain, but this audio book was boring. The Monotone voice and boring material.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Very entertaining

Whether you agree with anything that comes out of her mouth or not is irrelevant. (To me at least) This was wildly entertaining and she speaks beautifully. Her sarcasm and sass are both forthcoming and charming. I loved it.

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