The highly anticipated first book by a widely respected entertainer whose career highlights include The Right Stuff; Ugly Betty; Desperate Housewives; and former Miss AmericaWhen Vanessa Williams was growing up; she had a plan: Shersquo;d go to college and major in musical theater; afterward shersquo;d get her MFA from the Yale School of Drama; and then she would embark on a successful career on Broadway. And to make sure she stayed on that path; her mother; Helen Williams; gave her a list of things that she should nevermdash; evermdash;do. Near the top of that list was ldquo;never ever pose nude for anyone.rdquo; So when Vanessa became the first African-American woman to win the title of Miss America in September 1983 (an accomplishment that she never planned for or desired); only to be forced to resign ten months later due to a nude photo scandal; the lives of both Vanessa and Helen took an unexpected turn. But Vanessa survived this setback; and many others to come; to enjoy a thirty-plus-year career as an award-winning singer and actress. Vanessa has been asked to write her memoir many times; but only nowmdash;with the help of her mothermdash;is she ready to tell her story. Vanessa grew up in Millwood; New York; part of one of the townrsquo;s only black families. As a teenager; Vanessa defied Helen; flirting with boys; drinking; and smoking pot. But despite their early conflicts; Helen has always ardently protected her daughter; staying in contact with the FBI about the multiple death threats Vanessa received after being crowned and being there for her during the dissolution of her two marriages. Now the mother of four children; Vanessa describes how shersquo;s made it through the ups and downs of her life as well as her career. Jointly written by Vanessa and Helen and filled with dozens of personal family photos and mementos; You Have No Idea is an empowering celebration of the love between a mother and daughter and the life of a woman who beat the odds to achieve her destiny.
#1662042 in eBooks 2006-03-13 2006-03-13File Name: B005XMRWK6
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. CHEAP PACKAGING DOES NOT WORKBy Richie HerinkTHE BOOK WAS POORLY PACKAGD. A CORNER CAME BADLY DAMAGED DUE TO IMPROPER HANDLING. A BETTER QUALITY BOOK BAG WITH A MORE SUBSTANTIAL OUTSIDE SURFACE SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Lots of Trivia but a bit JuvenileBy A. HunterIf you are looking for a reference book and are younger than grade 12 this would be a good book. If you are older and looking for a good read on Da Vinci then I would recommend that you look elsewhere. This book has a very juvenile feel to it. The format is not that of a novel or reference book. it is broken down into categories and within each category are what I would call "fun facts." Again. great for kids but not so much for the adults.
