The Book of Joan

Tales of Mirth, Mischief, and Manipulation

By: Melissa Rivers

Narrated by: Melissa Rivers

Joan Rivers was known all over the world—from the Palace Theater to Buckingham Palace, from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the footlights of Broadway, from the days of talkies to hosting talk shows. But there was only one person who knew Joan intimately, one person who the authorities would call when she got a little out of hand. Her daughter and best friend, Melissa.

Joan and Melissa Rivers had one of the most celebrated mother-daughter relationships of all time. If you think Joan said some outrageous things to her audiences as a comedian, you won’t believe what she said and did in private. Her love for her daughter knew no bounds—or boundaries, apparently. ("Melissa, I acknowledge that you have boundaries. I just choose to not respect them.") In The Book of Joan: Tales of Mirth, Mischief and Manipulation, Melissa shares stories (like when she was nine months old and her parents delivered her to Johnny Carson as a birthday gift), bon mots (“Missy, is there anything better than seeing a really good looking couple pushing a baby that looks like a Sasquatch who got caught in a house fire?”), and life lessons from growing up in the Rosenberg-Rivers household (“I can do tips and discounts and figure out the number of gay men in an audience to make it a good show. That’s all the math you’ll ever need.”). These were just the tip of the iceberg when it came to life in the family that Melissa describes as more Addams than Cleaver. And at the center of it all was a tiny blond force of nature.

In The Book of Joan: Tales of Mirth, Mischief and Manipulation, Melissa Rivers relates funny, poignant and irreverent observations, thoughts, and tales about the woman who raised her and is the reason she considers valium one of the four basic food groups.

Critic reviews

“Melissa [Rivers] weaves together anecdotes, memories, speeches, lists and advice to create a sweet, personal narrative infused with Joan's trademark wit… Like any great standup comedian's act, the short chapters keep the audience wanting more, and her writing echoes her mother's self-deprecating, saucy tone.”—Associated Press

“Melissa [Rivers] has written a book, cleverly weaving Mom’s material into a bittersweet biography of their life together.”—People


“Joan Rivers famously asked, ‘Can we talk?’ So the question for her daughter, Melissa Rivers…is ‘Can she write?’ The answer is, clearly, yes.” —Newsday

“[A] touching, revealing and above all funny paean to her mother, Joan Rivers… the approach is light-hearted, affectionate – and funny.” —Portland Press Herald

“We have a winner. Oh yes we do. Of all the celebrity memoirs to have appeared in the last few months, we have from way back in the pack, the one that made an incredible stretch run to become the unquestioned leader…If there are any smart mothers out there notable for their outspoken candor and their pop cultural literacy, Melissa Rivers’ book will take care of their early summer reading needs quite nicely.” —The Buffalo News

“Very funny” —Page Six

Surprise.....Brilliant!

I was a fan of the Joan of Pre 2005 era. Over the last 10 years I discovered that I missed her. I would literally 'blush' at her comments regarding the First Lady's sexuality and how she would bash the day lights out of people's weight. I did not like her last few books. ABSOLUTE TRIPE! So I have been on a quest to find the woman that I used to admire and wished to emulate in so many ways.

Melissa Rivers, thank you so very much for sharing this with us. I rebuilt my love and admiration for your Mother. I also discovered that if I should be so lucky as to live as long as Ms. Joan I am sure that I will also change in my dotage. I will not be so fast to judge in the future.

For Moms who are lucky enough to have wonderful relationships with their daughters, like Melissa and Joan ( I am a lucky Mom too and I am sure that much of Joan's writings have influenced me in that direction so thank you Ma'am) this is a keeper. As for the rest of the reading/listening world this is a treasure this is a great lesson on relationships, humor, tolerance and making sure that the people that we love KNOW IT so that at the end there are no regrets, no "I wish that I had said..." And no 'would a', 'could a', 'should a's.

Melissa thank you.

I cry at the end of every Joan rivers books.

I like the smarts Joan's child in deed.
My grammar is horrible Melissa sorry. Lol
I enjoy the fact that Joan and Melissa read the audio books them selves.
I really don't find comedians to be funny at all.
Joan you my friend are an extreme exemption!!!!!
Smart,smart,genius.
Style,fur I miss you thank god for you tube.
I thank you Melissa I feel Joan's spark in you so much.
I admire your intelligence you speak gorgeously
Delightful to the ear.

I miss Joan Rivers

Great stories. Lots of laughs. I can almost hear Joan Rivers herself in the jokes. She is an icon and she will be missed.

Very funny and heartwarming

Loved this book. I lose interest easily in some audiobooks, but I listened to this all the way through in one day. She was quite a lady:). Great job Melissa.

Joan would be proud!

Interesting stories from the point of view of Joan's closest friend and family member. Hilarious and interesting!