Play Audiobook Sample
Life Is Not a Stage: From Broadway Baby to a Lovely Lady and Beyond Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.09) - 187 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
For millions of people around the world, Carol Brady is synonymous with motherhood, but growing up as the youngest of ten children in rural Indiana in the aftermath of the Great Depression, Florence Henderson lived a life quite different from that of the quintessential TV mom she later played on television.
Florence's father was a dirt-poor tobacco tenant farmer who was nearly fifty years old when he married Florence's twenty-five-year-old mother, and was nearly seventy when Florence was born. Florence's childhood was full of deprivation and abandonment. Her father was an alcoholic at a time when there was no rehab or help for the disease. Their home rarely had electricity or running water. When she was twelve, Florence's mother left the family to work in Cleveland and never returned.
Florence opens up about her childhood, as well as the challenges she's faced as an adult, including stage fright, postpartum depression, her extramarital affairs, divorce, her hearing loss, and heart problems. She writes with honesty and wisdom of how her faith and ability to survive has brought her through rough times to a life of profound joy and purpose.
Download and start listening now!
"I didn't know what to think of this book as I thought oh it's going to be all Brady Bunch. Learned so much about this talented actress. Really honest look at her life being born during the depression years, family issues ( which we all have but are afraid to talk about ), and life on the stage and small-screen. Funny, gritty, intimate look at being on the road with touring Broadway productions. I did not know that she had that much Broadway experience. Really liked this book."
— Theresa (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“I count Florence as one of my dearest friends. Now I count her as one of my favorite storytellers. I have always loved the way she looks at life with humor and inspiration. This book provides that—in spades!”
— Carol Burnett -
“The teenaged Florence Henderson only needed a one-way ticket to Broadway when she left her hometown in Southern Indiana. The great Rodgers and Hammerstein quickly recognized in her what the rest of us would also soon discover—a big talent matched with an even bigger human spirit.”
— Bill Cosby -
“Life Is Not a Stage encompasses a life so rich and varied that it defies brief summary. The actress’ candor and compassion transmute even her worst experiences into the transcendent glow of the Mrs. Brady we so fondly remember.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review -
“Competently written and straightforward…There are plenty of entertaining showbiz stories and some real eye-openers, such as the surprising fact that Gene Hackman originally tested for the role of Mike Brady. Like its author, the book is likable and engaging, especially for those with fond memories of The Brady Bunch.”
— Booklist -
“An inspiring story of faith and survival by one of television's beloved performers. Recommended.”
— Library Journal
Awards
-
A New York Times bestseller
Life Is Not a Stage Listener Reviews
-
" I found this autobiography quite intriguing! Florence Henderson had quite the life! And she is not only Mrs. Brady (if you know what I mean!) I will always be a Hollywood girl at heart so I tend to soak up the gossip. She is an intelligent, hard working woman whom I admired greatly at the end of this book! An easy and entertaining read! "
— Sheri, 2/6/2014 -
" Nothing earth-shaking, but a nice, solid bio from one of my favorites. "
— Karen, 1/30/2014 -
" I have always liked Florence Henderson and I know she has a reputation for being quite witty off-screen. I have roots in Broadway, I'm a television addict, and I love autobiographies - so for all of these reasons I was looking forward to reading this book. Much to my surprise, I found most of it boring. The most interesting part to me was her husband John. I thought his work was fascinating. I think her work was probably fascinating too, but that didn't come across at all. Many of the events she wrote about didn't seem at all out of the ordinary to me and weren't told well - and her attempts at humor fell flat. Considering the life she has had, this could have been so much better. Sorry, Florence! "
— Debbie, 1/27/2014 -
" I liked it very much. It was written with a clear, comfortable style that made me want to finish it. I originally planned to just read the "Brady Bunch" parts but got hooked by her hard working Midwest demeanor and was glad that she didn't spend more time than was necessary on that part of her life and career. An interesting book about an interesting woman. "
— Chris, 1/22/2014 -
" Florence Henderson was certainly not Carol Brady in her real life! Her honest life story was interesting and I admire her positivity, hard-working ethic and spirit of always looking for new opportunities! I just wish that I can look like her in my 70s. "
— stella, 1/11/2014 -
" As someone who had only known Florence Henderson as the beloved Mrs. Brady, it was interesting to read how much more accomplished she is. I also really admired her candour about her hardscrabble childhood and some of the mistakes she made along the way. Her positivity and optimism shine throughout the book and leave me feeling she is a genuinely nice person. "
— JennLynn, 1/8/2014 -
" An honest book about the "perfect" TV mother and her not so perfect real life. "
— Rochelle, 1/5/2014 -
" I had no idea Florence was such an assertive women. I enjoyed getting to know her. Good read. "
— Nancy, 1/4/2014 -
" Light celebrity gossip bood, a diversion. "
— Patrice, 12/31/2013 -
" Love Florence! I grew up watching Brady Bunch. :) "
— Jacqueline115, 12/20/2013 -
" Reading this showed me that being talented and famous doesn't mean your life is easy. Just checking. "
— Pam, 10/28/2013 -
" Excellent. I saw Florence Henderson on the Brady Bunch just like everyone else but I wasn't aware of her upbringing in poverty and her life on the stage. It was a very fast read and I was fascinated by all the challenges she overcame. And she is still going in her mid-seventies. Awesome! "
— Rebecca, 10/6/2013 -
" I enjoyed reading about this woman that I have watched perform so often. "
— Sue, 5/31/2013 -
" She glosses over the abuse and dysfunctionality abit, but is really very relatable and honest. She gives us some small taste of the complex business of show business. She's a true survivor, and I'm glad that I got to know her better. "
— Kim, 3/1/2013 -
" Nice lady who has figured some things out along the way and remained optimistic. "
— Donna, 11/17/2012 -
" You tend to think of her as Carol Brady of the Brady Bunch. In reality she was a very talented broadway star before that and again after the show. There were many things that she was a part of that I never knew. I enjoyed this book and it was an easy, quick read. "
— BJ, 10/12/2012 -
" There's more to Florence Henderson than Mrs. Brady, and she doesn't pull any punches in this autobiography. "
— Colleen, 10/7/2012 -
" Ok read, but not as good as I expected. "
— Irene, 9/15/2012 -
" A little hard to get into in the beginning but in the end a good book about really overcoming obstacles in life and making the best of things. "
— Sage, 4/14/2012 -
" Interesting life story. Surprisingly Brady lite but even to pay honor to the seminal series. "
— Dave, 3/5/2012 -
" It just wasnt as good as I hope it to be.. I was hoping for more Brady, but she only touched on it a little bit. "
— Tara, 2/19/2012 -
" Fun read about Florence, her rough childhood, her amazing start on Broadway, her family life, her Carol Brady years, all the way through Dancing With the Stars. So fun for anyone interested in the life of a true star. Really engaging. "
— Gay, 12/13/2011 -
" I generally enjoy autobiographies and I did enjoy this one. She definitely had an interesting life, and continues to do so. "
— Madalene, 12/5/2011 -
" A little hard to get into in the beginning but in the end a good book about really overcoming obstacles in life and making the best of things. "
— Sage, 10/19/2011 -
" Interesting life story. Surprisingly Brady lite but even to pay honor to the seminal series. "
— Dave, 10/13/2011 -
" An honest book about the "perfect" TV mother and her not so perfect real life. "
— Rochelle, 10/8/2011 -
" Excellent. I saw Florence Henderson on the Brady Bunch just like everyone else but I wasn't aware of her upbringing in poverty and her life on the stage. It was a very fast read and I was fascinated by all the challenges she overcame. And she is still going in her mid-seventies. Awesome! "
— Rebecca, 9/1/2011 -
" Florence, Florence, Florence. You wicked, wicked girl!!! "
— Wils, 5/18/2011
About Florence Henderson
Florence Henderson is most well-known for her role as Carol Brady on The Brady Bunch, but she started her career on the stage, in musicals such as Oklahoma! and South Pacific. She starred on Broadway in the long-running musical Fanny, and in 1962, she became the first woman to guest host The Tonight Show. Her talent for skit comedy also allowed her to make frequent appearances on Dean Martin’s variety show. In 1968, she was cast as Carol Brady on the popular TV sitcom, which ran from 1968 to 1974, and is still on the air today. She is the author of Life Is Not a Stage: From Broadway Baby to a Lovely Lady and Beyond.