The Secrets of My Life

A History

By: Caitlyn Jenner

Narrated by: Caitlyn Jenner - exclusive introduction, Erin Bennett

Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

In this remarkable memoir, former Olympian and Kardashian family member Caitlyn Jenner reveals shocking and heartbreaking stories from her journey to become a transgender woman and fight for the LGBTQ+ community.

Imagine denying your core and soul. Then add to it the most impossible expectations that people have for you because you are the personification of the American male athlete.

Bruce Jenner, the celebrated Olympic icon and later the patriarch of one of the most famous families in the world, seemed to be living a dream life of success, fame, and prosperity. But the all-American image and million-dollar smile belied a lifelong struggle with gender dysphoria, and it wasn't until the sensational Diane Sawyer interview that the public mask of Bruce Jenner was finally retired, and through the memorable Vanity Fair piece by Buzz Bissinger, that Caitlyn Jenner was introduced to the world and set free to exist on her own terms. Since then, Caitlyn has undertaken an arduous emotional and physical odyssey to achieve the completeness she always felt was missing.

In The Secrets of My Life, Caitlyn reflects on the inner conflict she experienced growing up in an era of rigidly defined gender identities and the cruel irony of being hailed by an entire nation as the ultimate symbol of manhood. She recounts her Olympic triumph, her rise to fame, and relates how her sense of frustration and shame grew with the passing years and the lengths to which she had to go to conceal her true self. Caitlyn in turn uncovers the toll that these personal struggles had on her three marriages and, subsequently, the relationships with her children. She also talks candidly about her life in the public eye as a member of the Kardashian clan, what led to her decision to become Caitlyn, and how she, her family, the transgender community, and the rest of the world has since embraced her new life.

Filled with incredibly personal and moving stories of struggle and victory, of anxiety and fear, and, finally, of surrender and acceptance, The Secrets of My Life reveals the real Caitlyn Jenner by tracing her long and eventful journey to becoming herself. 

©2017 Caitlyn Jenner (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Let down

This book is rubbish. No family secrets. It's all 'poor me.' Save your audible credit.

Selfish -No secret here...

Unapologetic account of Caitlyn/Bruce's life. His behavior over the years has caused a lot of hurt and pain for his kids and the women he married. He glances over it in an "oh, well" not really my fault because of my internal battle sort of way. I have one word to describe this book and its' author Caitlyn-SELFISH!

Tried to be on her side but she is so selfish

All about her no consideration for anyone else so full of herself it's sad Bruce was a better human being

Honest. Real.

A bit hard to follow at times. I found it rather sad that although she admitted she abandoned her children, she did not seem remorseful for doing so. I applaud Caitlyn for being true to herself. It took great courage to make a move such as this while being such a public figure, but I couldn't help but feel this book was written only to make money.

Not Much of a Secret

I applaud Ms. Jenner for her journey and the transition into her life. However her actions throughout her entire life were selfish and self serving. She blames everything in her life on her gender issues. We all have issues, the difference is adults take responsibility for them.

Disappointed

Interesting autobiography, but the only thing the book revealed that I already did not know was that Bruce had a brother.
Everything else was was pretty much common knowledge if you follow Bruce/Caitlyn whatsoever.
The book was, at times, confusing by jumping around and leaving out important facts that should have lead up to stated facts. The narrator would many-times change who she was quoting and it was hard to figure out who was "talking."
Certain phrases were repeated over and over (I am sure for dramatic effect) but it was boring, and at times annoying. I just didn't enjoy it because I thought it wasn't written well and it did not flow very well.
This is my opinion, I am just disappointed.

Blah

Blah blah blah, poor me and happy me. Brag book, nothing compelling. End of story. Just not interesting. I don't have a connection or more of an understanding like should after hearing his story.

Jenner is sweet, funny and honest...good person!

What did you love best about The Secrets of My Life?

Like most complex stories, it's not like Jenner just decided to become a woman one day. It was an issue that was intertwined throughout his life but--since he grew up in the 50s, 60s and 70s--there were no words or precedent for what he was feeling. Instead, he did his best to create traditional families and be a good person. I don't know a lot about this issue, so I thought it was interesting to hear about Jenner's desires (we all have them, in various forms) and efforts to first stay busy to avoid them and then find ways to hide them. The book's message is: "Don't do that; live your true life."

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes glimpses of Jenner's very interesting life, from the Olympics to the Playboy Mansion. I remember the first time I flipped to "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and thinking, "Wait, is that Bruce Jenner? Why is he wandering around this crazy house?" Haha. But, in the book, Jenner has nothing but good things to say about his ex Kris (I think I read that she is upset, but I don't know how she could be). He said that she was social in a special/intimate way, organized, great mother, terrific in business...she gets the most compliments in the book.

What about Caitlyn Jenner - exclusive introduction and Erin Bennett ’s performance did you like?

I like Jenner's voice and was hoping that she would do the audio, but I thought it was nice that she explained that it would have been difficult because of dyslexia.

Any additional comments?

When the Vanity Fair cover came out, I thought, "Wait, no 'K' in Caitlyn?" In the book, Jenner said spelling it with a "K" would have been "creepy." Good point.

Nothing to see here

Disappointed because I learned nothing from this book. Basically Bruce hides until Caitlyn comes to life.

nothing new here

The book is interesting and we'll narrated but there is nothing new here. Even the last sentence has already been in the news.