I Wish Someone Had Told Me
The Best Advice for Building a Great Career and a Meaningful Life
Dana Perino
FOX News Books
Just in time to put a lil’ zing in your spring reading, FOX News poster girl and bestselling author Dana Perino returns to the “New & Noteworthy” section down at the local brick and mortar (as well as online retailers) with her latest signature-style page-turner.
But to truly appreciate I Wish Someone Had Told Me, it’s important to recognize what it is and what it isn’t. So, first, let’s make nice with the 800-pound orangutan in the room. Although Perino pulls off a few low-impact Pilates, she does minimal heavy lifting here. However, that’s far from a deal-breaker. In fact, in order for the book to provide maximum impact, Perino opts to play a co-star role — that of an experienced counselor and mentor leading an engaging round table discussion with an impressive array of compelling, qualified contributors.
For the most part, Perino’s cast resembles the likely guest list at a Dagen McDowell hot tub party: Bret Baier, Ainsley Earhardt, Brian Kilmeade, Jackie DeAngelis, Jesse Watters, Martha MacCallum, Tyrus, and Judge Jeanine Pirro, to name a few. However, once (some) readers can get past their (possible) FOX News derangement syndrome, it’s easy to recognize that Perino’s crew IS in fact rather balanced, as contributors Jessica Tarlov, Harold Ford Jr., Salena Zito, and others are either from that “other side,” or have well known non-partisan reputations.
The book’s subtitle spells out Perino’s objective clearly: to offer The Best Advice for Building a Great Career and a Meaningful Life. From the first stages of entering the work force to pursuing career advancements to financial planning to parenting to personal relationships to retirement, I Wish Someone Had Told Me is chock full of valuable insights, sure to inspire, enlighten, and encourage a wide demographic, from high schoolers who are beginning to think about their futures seriously to “seasoned” readers seeking professional and financial guidance.
When considering a new hire, former U.S. democrat congressman, current FOX News political contributor, and financial managing director Harold Ford Jr. reveals that he likes to see how a person interacts with service workers. “I have little patience for self-importance,” Ford states. FOX News host Jesse Watters looks for “a positive attitude, strong social skills, great work ethic, and attention to detail.”
“Financial responsibility starts from day one,” says former CNBC correspondent and current FOX Business Network financial analyst Jackie DeAngelis. “People think, ‘I don’t make a lot, what’s the point?’ That’s not true! Save, save, save!”
“It’s never too late to be what you might have been,” opines Hertz Senior Vice President Lauren Fritts. “Instead of seeing retirement as a final chapter, I view it as an opportunity to explore new passions and ventures.”
A rather breezy read, I Wish Someone Had Told Me is informative as well as entertaining, with Perino directing conversations with a crop of oft-unfiltered characters. In fact, some of the most solid Everyman advice comes from the likes of celebrated wisenheimer Greg Gutfeld, country music superstar Dierks Bentley, and barely housebroken comedian Jimmy Failla. “The best advice to young parents is to teach your kids to have fun,” says Failla. “Because being able to laugh in life is the greatest survival skill they’ll need.”
When sharing parting thoughts in the closing chapter, “Roundup: I Wish Someone Had Told Me,” brand creator Mora Neilson admits, “No one knows what they are doing,” while journalist and author Salena Zito maintains, “You are never going to make everyone happy and that is a full stop.” Ah! The truth will make you free! However, Greg Gutfeld offers what’s arguably the book’s wisest words when he confesses that he wished someone had told him that “drinking was no solution to your problems.”
In sum, Perino may be the all-star pitcher, but I Wish Someone Had Told Me is most definitely a team effort and a highly recommended read.
