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Jade Goody: How It All Began - My First Book
The moment that Jade Goody stepped into the Big Brother house, she secured her place as the unofficial winner of the third season, and found instant fame as a reality star. The glitz and glamour of sudden fame was a far cry from her difficult beginnings. Brought up in a run-down area and caring for her disabled mother, Jade didn’t have an easy childhood. But she always lived her life with incredible spirit – and that is what endeared her to millions during Big Brother. Behind the bubbly exterior, there was a tough and fiercely determined lady. Jade was always the first to admit that she had made mistakes—and there were many trials and tribulations along the way. But when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008, she faced the toughest battle of her life, in the full glare of the national media. Jade fought with dignity, never giving up hope and always striving to do the best for her sons. In the second installment of her autobiography Jade spares no detail of her time in therapy, her tempestuous relationship with the love of her life, Jack Tweed (who she married in February 2009), and the trauma of her diagnosis. Sadly, in the early hours of March 22nd, 2009, Jade lost her fight with cancer, dying peacefully in her sleep with her close family by her side. Funny, moving, and disarmingly honest, Fighting to the End truly is a fitting tribute to a unique celebrity.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
10 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 11, 2023
Autobiography are so hard to review as its someone's life your reviewing so while I couldn't really connect with Jade, it's a five star from me.
Another reminder that life can be extremely short :(
Another reminder that life can be extremely short :(
May 21, 2014
I remember when i first read about Jade in newspapers or on telly. I hated her. But now after reading about her life it really moved me. She was loud mouthed and didn't like liars just like me. Her life was so common being a reality star.Touchy!
August 22, 2009
Brilliant book. Jade Goody was one of the most famous people from Big Brother. She was a loud mouth if ever there was one. SHe had a very under priveldged childhood, mother used drugs, alcohol, and jade practically cared for her, She was absolutely determind her boys were giogn to have all the love and things she enver had.
Jade was diagnosed with cancer of the womb which spread. She went out of her way once she was dx to raise as much money as she could to for trust funds for her boys, so they would have a good education, get through University and have a good life. She also donated large amounts to charities.
Jade was gutsy, when things went wrong for her, she wasnt ashamed of dusting herself down, picking herself up, and starting again.
This was the story of an exceptionally courageous woman, and one I don't thing i could ever forget. The last chapter was left for her editor to write after she had gone. Very sad, she lived totally for her boys.
Read it - but it's a tear jerker
Jade was diagnosed with cancer of the womb which spread. She went out of her way once she was dx to raise as much money as she could to for trust funds for her boys, so they would have a good education, get through University and have a good life. She also donated large amounts to charities.
Jade was gutsy, when things went wrong for her, she wasnt ashamed of dusting herself down, picking herself up, and starting again.
This was the story of an exceptionally courageous woman, and one I don't thing i could ever forget. The last chapter was left for her editor to write after she had gone. Very sad, she lived totally for her boys.
Read it - but it's a tear jerker
September 18, 2011
I think this is one of the most inspiring and yet upsetting autobiographies that I have ever read. Jade Goody with the combined work of Lucie Cave wrote a brutally honest book, that has made me laugh, sympathise, feel angry for many reasons and yes cry!
Jade was thrown into the limelight, and it was a continual struggle. I know that she thrived in the publicity and it gave her and her kids a lifestyle that many don't have, but it also had it's downsides which you understand clearly when you read this book.
The tragic end to her life is something people will never forget, and she has highlighted not only cancer, but also an ongoing struggle with eating disorders and diet pill taking. Jade Goody battled not only cancer, but a almost self-destructive way of life, which she overcomed.
I wil always remember as a larger than life person, a wonderful mother and a person whose death has changed a lot of things hopefully.
Jade will live on in her boys, and I know they will ,make her proud too!
Jade was thrown into the limelight, and it was a continual struggle. I know that she thrived in the publicity and it gave her and her kids a lifestyle that many don't have, but it also had it's downsides which you understand clearly when you read this book.
The tragic end to her life is something people will never forget, and she has highlighted not only cancer, but also an ongoing struggle with eating disorders and diet pill taking. Jade Goody battled not only cancer, but a almost self-destructive way of life, which she overcomed.
I wil always remember as a larger than life person, a wonderful mother and a person whose death has changed a lot of things hopefully.
Jade will live on in her boys, and I know they will ,make her proud too!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2010
Reality TV star Jade Goody tells about her life in this biography which has been updated to include her cancer diagnosis. She tells the shocking story of her childhood, living with her drug addicted mother who was taking crack cocaine, her controversial rise to fame on Big Brother and her popularity decline after the race row on Celebrity Big Brother. She also paints a pretty dark picture of the relationship with Jack Tweed whose cheating and violence made her life a misery.
It is a brutally honest book about her success and self confessed failures. She comes across as a good, devoted mother and a normal girl who had a bit of a big mouth at times. I was never a big fan personally, but I liked the warts and all aspect of this book and I was genuinely sad when she died of cancer.
It is a brutally honest book about her success and self confessed failures. She comes across as a good, devoted mother and a normal girl who had a bit of a big mouth at times. I was never a big fan personally, but I liked the warts and all aspect of this book and I was genuinely sad when she died of cancer.
September 7, 2019
Its been 10 years since Jade died of cervical cancer in 2009. I remember the hype around it very much and followed her story at the time. Reading her autobiography was very interesting, hearing about her childhood and then life post Big Brother.
Love her or hate her, she won the heart of lots of people and 'The Jade Goody Effect' in regards to cervical screening was great.
I'm not usually a fan of reading autobiographys but as this was given to me, I thought I'd read it.
Love her or hate her, she won the heart of lots of people and 'The Jade Goody Effect' in regards to cervical screening was great.
I'm not usually a fan of reading autobiographys but as this was given to me, I thought I'd read it.
November 15, 2017
Poor poor Jade Goody. I wasn’t really a fan of hers, but I didn’t dislike her; I’d left the UK by the time she had her Celeb Big Brother nightmare, but by reading this book I felt I got to know her. She had a terrible, neglectful childhood - the product of drug addicted parents, she had to drag herself up. She lacked education but somehow she had a lot of drive and tried to improve herself. This book tells how an Essex girl became a celebrity and how she cooed with her fame. She was a fun loving girl who made people laugh but she was followed by disaster! The fact that she died at 27 is proof of this.
August 7, 2018
Very sad...I liked Jade Goody & can't believe how many years have passed since her death.
This book covers her struggles with her mum, the media and touches on the cancer that claimed her life. It begs the question if they had caught the cancer earlier would she still be with us today? Also this shows that if you have the chance to test for cancer you should take it.
I was surprised by the attitude/comment of one particular female tv presenter - why be so nasty? Yes Jade was no angel but she was right saying we should treat people as we want to be treated!!
This book covers her struggles with her mum, the media and touches on the cancer that claimed her life. It begs the question if they had caught the cancer earlier would she still be with us today? Also this shows that if you have the chance to test for cancer you should take it.
I was surprised by the attitude/comment of one particular female tv presenter - why be so nasty? Yes Jade was no angel but she was right saying we should treat people as we want to be treated!!
September 2, 2009
a great book from a lovely girl who came from nothing, a geat mother lived life to the full .. its a really good book rip jade
samanthaJade Goody
samanthaJade Goody
October 25, 2019
Whether you loved Jade or not this book is a wonderful read.. Close to my heart too as i too was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer. Jade though made people aware of this awful disease as she battled it and unfortunatly never survived.
Read
July 27, 2011Read this very quickly, was easy to read, I like autobiographys, thanks mum, she bought it me for my birthday!! Knew most of the stuff in here about Jade as I read all about her in magazines after she sadly passed away, would like to read the first and last books she wrote too.
September 26, 2015
A truly sad and emotional book of Jade Goody's fight with cancer, which eventually took her life. Very upsetting book, which was written beautifully.
Shows her struggles with the horrible illness, and how here family were fighting with her the whole time.
Shows her struggles with the horrible illness, and how here family were fighting with her the whole time.
April 30, 2013
feeling a little ripped off as it seems to be 'catch a falling star' just a different title
August 6, 2012
I'd forgotten how funny Jade was, a very enjoyable book that made me think what she would have been like on twitter
January 23, 2013
An interesting but sad insight into a dying mothers last moments. It did make me shed a few tears.
February 24, 2013
Read in paperback too.
July 7, 2019
very moving and sad life of this brave mum, daugther and wife!
November 4, 2014
All I can say is Life is f**king cruel. Poor woman :(
Oh, and she was so clumsy!
Oh, and she was so clumsy!
January 16, 2022
This was a very good read on Jade’s life leading up to when she was diagnosed with cancer. It’s an honest account of Jade’s struggles with her anger issues and her relationship ups and downs with her boyfriend Jack. The only thing that spoiled it for me was the fact it was written by a ghost writer and was too eloquent to have all been from Jade’s mouth.
All in all this was an easy and interesting read. The words may not have been Jade’s but the storytelling depicts her life . A life which was filled with drama and riches from the moment she came out of the Big Brother house. One would say the drama was already in place from the moment she was born. A life cut short unfortunately by the ravages of cancer.
All in all this was an easy and interesting read. The words may not have been Jade’s but the storytelling depicts her life . A life which was filled with drama and riches from the moment she came out of the Big Brother house. One would say the drama was already in place from the moment she was born. A life cut short unfortunately by the ravages of cancer.
March 17, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
R.I.P Jade 💔
A great book from a lovely girl who came from nothing, a great mother lived life to the full. She did so much towards the end of her life for her boys. She will never be forgotten 💔
R.I.P Jade 💔
A great book from a lovely girl who came from nothing, a great mother lived life to the full. She did so much towards the end of her life for her boys. She will never be forgotten 💔
April 24, 2020
If you love jade,You certainly will love the book!!!
March 25, 2022
A brilliant book too much sadness,had me crying brought bad memories back for me.
April 5, 2022
Really sad
March 16, 2025
Really interesting life story, lots of ups and downs
February 6, 2020
A fabulous book , Jade is so missed.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews