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

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.

I really enjoyed it.

I was surprised that Caitlin did not do the narration of the book herself, But it did make a lot of sense to have a female narrator of the book. It allowed me to listen to the book and not remember that Caitlin was originally Bruce. It was just a book about a female. I appreciated the openness and clarity in which Caitlyn told her story.

Lessons2Learn

I love this book. I was surprise by how much I can relate to his experience in terms of relationship, family, & self-acceptance. Plus it's an eye-opening to many Issues in the trans world. Double thumbs up.

A must read for anyone with gender dysphoria

Loved the book and really explains a lot what people go through. I’m very of Caitlyn Jenner and support her 100%. This book is so well illustrated by her and her life, it kept my attention the whole time.

Good book

I like but the book, but I wish the timeline had a better flow. I understand the flashbacks and flash forward, but I wish it was more chronological.

Love!

I loved this book! Very personal, passionate and heartfelt . I have a lot of respect for Caitlyn, her feelings and the life she has lived, also for everything she stands for. She has a wonderful message, many messages, in this book- that are great reminders for all humans. Be kind, empathetic, non-judging. Everyone’s life journey is their own, I would welcome Caitlyn as my neighbor.

Loved this!! She is a champion!

Great read. Wanted to listen straight through. Wished Caitlyn had narrated but the forward explains. So much understanding will come with this book.

Special Interest

What did you like best about The Secrets of My Life? What did you like least?

I am grateful for the author to open up and share a story. But the book is an agenda (that is fair) from an activist (that is fair too). If you do not have a problem with Gay people or trans gender though, all of the preaching doesn't mean anything. It is all about this struggle. Everyone has struggles. I mean, it is ALL ABOUT THESE STRUGGLES. I do not regret reading the book. But if your personal struggles were far beyond his, then the book has little impact.

What could Caitlyn Jenner have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Talked more about things everyone can relate to. The efforts for success and becoming "a comeback kid". Human struggles. Not just identity struggles. But I understand why this book will be important for others.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator did not distract from the book so I have no idea why this would be a question.

What else would you have wanted to know about Caitlyn Jenner’s life?

Bruce Jenner was an incredible asset to many, many people. Yet we only hear about the liabilities. From him! Or her! This person has to be one of the most underestimated and under acknowledged people on Earth, not by others. By self.

Any additional comments?

It is not your sex, religion, identity that makes you a better person. It is how you treat others. On many levels the author of this book has a lot of intrinsic humanity with helping others. Being a good provider. Being a decent human being. This all matters a lot more than the identity that houses all of that. It matters all of the ways. Obviously, someone that has been exploited as any celebrity or athlete is. I wish this person the best of luck, love, and happiness. Obviously a sentient, and responsible human being who has made the very best of things. I would have given a higher rating for effort. For good purpose. I believe the book was written with a good purpose. But I am not an audience that needs to be convinced about discrimination or human rights. I was orphaned at three years old, raised in foster care, and homeless at fourteen. I understand challenges. I wanted to know more about the mind set that over came them.

Enlightening

I got this book because of an annoying Keeping up with the Kardashians episode (I try to not watch) where Kris, Kim and Kylie were bashing Caitlyn for the comments he made about Kris for controlling the money and how hurt they were. I feel they took it completely out of context. He gave Kris so much credit for her exceptional business sense, for saving his career, etc.
I have struggled in understanding the transition of Bruce to Caitlyn like so many have, but this book gave me great insight into Caitlyn's struggle and her journey. She was incredibly brave for sharing these intimate details. I think readers will have a better understanding of transgender issues and the real suffering people endure. I believe Caitlyn's book and involvement in the transgender movement is educating the public and taking away the stereotypical views many have. Well written!

Beautiful

It was more than what I expected. a beautiful story. I enjoyed every minute of it and found myself in her shoes in so many "funny now looking back" situations. forget the money, leave your political views at the door and hear her story. beautyful.