Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

"Maria teaches all of us in the graduate program of life to seek meaning through the joy of following your heart. Just the kind of advice a heart surgeon cherishes."
--Mehmet Oz, M.D.

"Everything Maria Shriver does is a testament to how deeply she respects and cares about people; all people, all over the world. She really does. She is as charming and funny as she is brilliant and profoundly humane."
--Anne Lamott

"Maria Shriver is real, vulnerable, humble, honest (just like her book) and not afraid to say so. A lovely book by a lovely person."
--Danielle Steel

"This honest, straight-talking, profound little book is worth a lifetime of reflection. It calls readers of all ages to think again-and differently-about who they've been in the past and who they want to be now. This book is a life-stopper, a truly universal piece. It's a must for everyone-of any age."
--Sister Joan Chittister

"Every graduate (of anything) ought to be given a copy of this book along with their diploma. There's wisdom, compassion and truth between these covers. For anyone -- at any age."
--Linda Ellerbee, Executive Producer, "Nick News"

"I've learned that asking ourselves not just what we want to be, but who we want to be is important at every stage of our lives, not just when we're starting out in the world. That's because in a way, we're starting out fresh in the world every single day."

Just Who Will You Be? is a candid, heartfelt, and inspirational book for seekers of all ages. Inspired by a speech she gave, Maria Shriver's message is that what you do in your life isn't what matters. It's who you are. It's an important lesson that will appeal to anyone of any age looking for a life of meaning.

In her own life, Shriver always walked straight down her own distinctive path, achieving her childhood goal of becoming "award-winning network newswoman Maria Shriver". But when her husband was elected California's Governor and she suddenly had to leave her job at NBC News, Maria was thrown for a loop. Right about then, her nephew asked her to speak at his high school graduation. She resisted, wondering how she could possibly give advice to kids, when she was feeling so lost herself. But in the end she relented and decided to dig down and dig deep, and the result is this little jewel.

Just Who Will You Be? reminds us that the answer to many of life's question lie within -- and that we're all works in progress. That means it's never too late to become the person you want to be.

Now the question for you is this: Just who will you be?

Average Customer Rating:

Just ok

Customer Rating:

I've been reading different books to help me answer questions like what do I want? Who do I want to be? Where did I get lost? How can I stay happy? For this reason, I found and read this book. Among the other books I read, this one provided one key answer to the question "how do I know what I really want for my life?". And this answer could be found easily in other books. Tsuang Tse and Confucius had given the same answer: by listening to your heart, by following your heart, you will know what you really want. Confucius even told following your breathe will help yourself find what you really want for your life. Obviously, Maria Shriver didn't do much readings in such topics during those years when she was lost. However, she was able to find the same answer by herself and shared it in her book. In my opinion, this is the only valuable point of her book and it's been in other theories or philosophies. The only other info I found useful was the list of question in the end of the book. Other than that, I have to say this book is only good for students that just came out of schools. Knowing following my heart was the solution. But I didn't know how to follow my heart or "listen to" my heart. I then found Stephanie Dowrick's Choosing Happiness: Life & Soul Essential. Almost each sentence of this book is wise. I found this book on google's book web, read a few pages of the book and ordered it on Amazon. I am glad that I found this book.

Journalist Maria Shriver	Customer Rating:
This woman is a journalist with a capital J. She needs to get back to what she does best! ... I'd love to see her Face to Face with Senator Hillary Clinton: ask Hillary Clinton how enriching and rewarding it is to be the Presidential Primary candidate who Earned more votes than any other Presidential Primary candidate in the History of America.

If I had a sister, I'd want her to be Maria Shriver

Customer Rating:

I grew up in Kennedy country (Massachusetts). my middle name is Kennedy and I got married in the same church the same year as Maria Shriver. I loved and respected her as a journalist and I think she has found an even better way to share her wisdom and humor as a writer. I've given her books as gifts to countless friends and their kids. 'Just Who Will You Be?' is for all of us because like Maria Shriver, I don't plan on ever growing up. The best thing Maria's book continues to teach me is to stay fluid, to never stop believing in my own potential and to remain optimistic about the infinite possibilities that exist every day for me. Maria is a great example of someone who isn't afraid to confront the whole of her life at every stage and take us along with her on this remarkable journey. Get this book. You WILL be inspired...Mary Kennedy Eastham, Author, 'The Shadow of a Dog I Can't Forget'

It touched me deeply!

Customer Rating:

I didn't know too much about Maria Shriver before reading this book except for the fact that she is the famous Kennedy-Mrs. Schwarzenegger-First lady of California that you see in the headlines from time to time. Then one day the title of her book "Just Who Will You Be" caught my eye. Umm, why would she be interested in who she is? Doesn't she have all the fame in the world already? So I picked it up and read it; more than one time actually. I am so glad I did! She writes very honestly & directly and it is truly inspiring! Maria had been living a life of privilege, power and fame gained from her background as a Kennedy, profession as a renowned journalist, and from her marriage to movie-star-turned-governor husband Arnold Schwarzenegger. Being a public figure with a historical legacy, Maria identified herself as a professional- this was all she wanted to be when she grew up and she worked hard to succeed in her work life. She then became a stay-at-home mom bringing up four kids; however she did not approve of herself for not "working as a professional Maria Shriver". I imagine it was frightening when she quit journalism to become a full-time mother, based on her high profile past that equated self-worth with personal achievement. With a sense of humor, Maria shares with readers the journey of discovering who she is and who she wants to be. She is not at all afraid of admitting she felt lost at times, when she'd been answering her quest with a resume, not what her heart truly desired. Maria inspired me to be true to myself. It reminds me of an awesome book by Ariel and Shya Kane, Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment that I love very much! Instead of "doing" and trying to figure out how I can fix circumstances that are not my preferences, I can simply just "be" me- and feel no need to define myself by certain roles. I can be gentle and kind to myself and others, be open and let go of some beliefs that may have served me along the way, but just don't work for me anymore. Life can be magical if we allow it to be, and it's up to us! What an awakening! I highly recommend these three authors!

WOW! I'm gushing and I rarely gush over a book.

Customer Rating:

Here's the complete title: Just Who Will You Be? - Big Question - Little Book - Answer Within. Wow, what can I say, I'm gushing! I rarely "gush" over a book but I am gushing over this one. You can read it in an hour or two. A little book with a big message - live your life listening to your heart. I'm highly recommending Just Who Will You Be? by Maria Shriver. I thoroughly enjoyed her open honest heart-to-heart writing style. A five star rating from me! Whether you've found your life's mission, been searching for years or are just beginning your path in life, you'll want to read this book. It's the right message at the right time, no matter where we are on life's journey. Maria Shriver's openness, vulnerability and honesty is refreshing and inspiring. I didn't know what to expect from the author - a Kennedy, a news anchor, a journalist, Oprah's good friend and currently First Lady of California. Really, what does she have to wonder about? How could she possibly relate to me? Maria Shriver has written a powerful message for all ages. Get ready for some thoughtful heart, mind and soul work. Just who will you be? Not what your parents wanted you to do, or the expectations of friends, employer, spouse - but what you want. Can you separate the expectations of others from your heart's desire? Just Who Will You Be? began as a graduation speech to her nephew's high school graduation class. It was so well received that graduates and parents wanted copies of the talk. A book was born. Around this same time, Maria was going through a life transition from NBC journalist to first lady of California. She faced a question many women face - am I actually motivating myself to succeed or is it the expectations of others that motivates me to "be" in life? BIG MESSAGE: You're not your age, family history, looks, profession, net worth, social status or other "surface" factors. You are your own special and unique person. Maria Shriver began writing this book as a woman going through an identity transition and finished as a woman of purpose on a mission. That's how Maria Shriver related to me - she was open, honest and spoke from her heart to my heart. Just Who Will You Be? by Maria Shriver is a great read for women, men, teenagers, mid-life or elderly. The message is the same for all age groups - live life from your heart. Living life is about what you are not who you are.