Getting Real

By: Gretchen Carlson

Narrated by: Gretchen Carlson

In the wake of Gretchen Carlson’s lawsuit against former Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, her memoir of her time at Fox - working alongside Megyn Kelly, Bill O’Reilly, Steve Doocy, and other prominent conservative news personalities - is more relevant than ever.

In this candid memoir, celebrity news anchorwoman Gretchen Carlson shares her inspiring story and offers important takeaways about what it means to strive for and find success in the real world. With warmth and wit, she takes listeners from her Minnesota childhood, when she became a violin prodigy, through attending Stanford and later rising to anchor of The Real Story with Gretchen Carlson on Fox News after working her way up from local television stations. Carlson addresses the intense competitive effort of winning the Miss America Pageant, the challenges she’s faced as a woman in broadcast television, and how she manages to balance work and family as the wife of high-profile sports agent Casey Close and devoted mother to their two children. An unceasing advocate for respect and equality for women, Carlson writes openly about her own struggles with body image, pageant stereotypes, building her career, and having the courage to speak her mind. Encouraging women to believe in themselves, chase their dreams, and never give up, Carlson emerges in Getting Real as a living example of personal strength and perseverance.

©2015 Gretchen Carlson (P)2015 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"In 1989, Gretchen Carlson was chosen to be Miss America - I was one of the judges who picked her! Since then, I have watched Gretchen grow as a journalist and as a woman, proving that beautiful women can be smart and that working women can be good moms. In Getting Real, Gretchen writes frankly and with humor about the challenges she's met along the way. We can't all be Miss America, but we can all learn from Gretchen how to confront whatever comes our way and come out winners." (Deborah Norville, anchor of Inside Edition and author of Thank You Power)

"Gretchen's Getting Real is a powerful tool for young women who desire to become everything God designed them to be. Poignantly and humbly, she shares her struggles on the long road to success. And she honors the God of all creation in the process. Brava!" (Kathie Lee Gifford, co-host of The Today Show and author of Just When I Thought I’d Dropped My Last Egg)

"Gretchen Carlson is a gifted news anchor who always gets the story right and who continues to make Minnesotans proud. In Getting Real, Gretchen takes us inside the competitive worlds of music, Miss America, and television news and shows us that with hard work - and resilience - dreams do come true." (Fran Tarkenton, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and founder of Tarkenton Companies)

A Really Pleasant Story

Gretchen does a lovely job recounting her life experiences and what drove her to succeed. It is amazing all that she was able to accomplish. It's not a deep story, yet enjoyable to listen to. I hadn't ever watched her before so it gave me good insight into her personality. She is a strong personality who is inspiring in that she had to overcome quite a bit in her lifetime. As with everyone she struggled to find a balance and in the end seemed happy with her personal choices. It was lovely to see how devoted she is to her parents and family.

A real story!

I really enjoyed listening to Gretchen's story she came across as a very honest and real person. Very relatable...

Gretchen Is Real

This is a book I will recommend to my daughters,women I lead and work with and even my husband and son. Gretchen's achievements are the result of an incredible heritage, family, trust in God, discipline, struggles and a deep belief she can succeed. Her reading the book makes it especially personal. She shares secrets, behind the scenes details and is candidly honest about some of the toughest trials she has faced. I would love to have her as a life coach and hope to hear her speak in person. She is a role model for today's women!
Gwendolyn Lewis

Great to hear her story

There is so much more to Gretchen than what you see on the surface. It was wonderful to look into who she really is!

Honest

Determination and focus is the theme throughout - a good book where the idea of values shapes a life and culture, not the other way around!

Fabulous!

Thank you, Gretchen, for sharing your life story. I, too, am a woman living my lifelong dream. What a great reminder to never give up your passions and goals because God gave them to you for a reason!!

Inspiration for everyone

I learned of Gretchen Carlson after my wife was assaulted at work. Fight Fiercely is guilting my quest for justice. None will be found in courts or company policy. In Getting Real she opens a window to the innermost feelings of a brave champion for women. How she came to be my inspiration and champion. Narrative by the author, a real, personal story of courage & gumption, wisdom & warmth unfolds like a rose. Wish we could meet her.

Genuine Gretchen

Great story! Terrific lady with good values. Smart, talented, humble and personable. Listen to it! It is a good "hear"

A Remarkable Woman

Thank you for sharing your life’s journey. Inspiring and thoughtful. I will recommend this book to others. I particularly like how openly you shared your Christianity, your thoughts on parenting and family and your life as a career woman.

😴 boring

boring. This was one of the most boring oops ever. Sorry I wasted a credit on it