The Book of Joan

Tales of Mirth, Mischief, and Manipulation

By: Melissa Rivers

Narrated by: Melissa Rivers

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2015 Melissa Rivers (P)2015 Random House Audio

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!

Loved this!

What did you love best about The Book of Joan?

An inside look from the viewpoint of someone who knew her best. Melissa did a fabulous job of giving us a glimpse into the Book of Joan.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Book of Joan?

Her Ivy day speech!

What about Melissa Rivers’s performance did you like?

Melissa is definitely her mother's daughter. Her delivery was spot on.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me smile, having grown up with Joan Rivers, it took me back in time while making me appreciate this edgy woman all the more.

Any additional comments?

I rarely review, but this book was exceptional. Well done Melissa.

Happiness behind the clouds.

A loving well written story about a mother and daughter . I Will remember to smile when I think of this book . I just lost my daughter a few week before Joan passed and can relate to Melissa's grief . Thank you for making my grief a little bearable with your courage to include us in your life. Your a good daughter Melissa God bless

Thoroughly enjoyed this book

This book was chosen for our book club and what a great choice it was. I really liked how it was written in vignette form and Melissa delivered her message perfectly. I'd recommend this book to everyone.

Funny, personal and sweet

I loved Joan and always wondered what kind of mom she was. She and Melissa were very close, but Joan wasn't perfect--which gives the rest of us moms hope! I love that she cared so much about manners, working hard and being humble.

F Bombs galore!

I would recommend this book to any Rivers fan, or fan of Strong Women. Especially nice that it's read by its author , Joan's daughter Melissa. Be warned , gentile Classics Collection and Jewelry by Joan Rivers fans: no holds barred on the F Bombs! If you can put up with them, you will truly enjoy this book. I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 because of the language