Product Description

'This is the story of my ch . . . ch . . . changes, which took me from insanity to clarity, from egocentricity to altruism, from alcoholism to activism. These changes have marked an evolution in what I want from this life. I am what I want. What I seek to consume, possess, and achieve is a mirror that reflects my lusts and cravings, values and priorities, and moral boundaries or lack thereof. I am happy to say that what I want today is much less toxic and self-centered than what I used to want. It's taken decades of selfexamination to peel back the layers and figure out what really makes me happy. And while I'm still searching for my ultimate bliss, I know for sure it's not what I once thought it was. It's not alcohol, cigarettes, money, food, sugar, or status symbols: I've consumed all of those in massive quantities, and they've just made me miserable. Now, I want what can't be tasted, smoked, worn, seen, or counted. It's the opposite of material. As sappy as it might sound, what I want is spiritual.'

—From the Introduction

In iWant, Jane Velez-Mitchell shares her candid and engaging story of the true adventure of her life, a journey of self-discovery that is still in full throttle. As she searches for the ultimate joy and freedom that come from living a compassionate life, she challenges all of us to learn from her examples to end destructive behaviors and embrace a meaningful existence alongside one another.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11739 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 268 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780757313714
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
Host of her own Headline News show, journalist Velez-Mitchell addresses a number of her own issues in this honest but ultimately unremarkable narrative, focusing largely on former addictions to alcohol, cigarettes, food and money: "I've consumed all of those in massive quantities, and they've just made me miserable. Now, I want... the opposite of material. As sappy as it might sound, what I want is spiritual." Velez-Mitchell then recounts a childhood with parents who taught her to shun all authority but their own; a young adulthood in which she nearly drank herself into oblivion; her decision to get sober; how she came to terms with her homosexuality; and her climb to success in the world of television news. Despite these revelations, though, Velez-Mitchell's off-putting, self-righteous tone may make readers feel they're being scolded, rather than invited to understand or sympathize.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Jane details the battle of a lifetime. For anyone who believes they can't go on, that their addiction is more powerful than they are...read this. So much strength from one little lady!"
- Nancy Grace, HLN host and leading legal commentator

About the Author
Jane Velez-Mitchell is an award-winning television news journalist and host of Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell on HLN. She is a nationally recognized expert on addiction and recovery and has commented on substance abuse and addictive behavior for a variety of cable channels, including CNN, HLN, Court TV, Fox News, and MSNBC. Jane rose to cable news prominence in her role as substitute host on HLN's Nancy Grace. She has been featured on CNN's Larry King Live on several occasions, discussing high-profile criminal cases and the roles addiction and obsession play in those sagas. Visit http://iwant.hcibooks.com

Customer Reviews

Honest
I did not know who Jane Velez-Mitchell was, however, I love reading books on addiction and recovery and I Want sounded like a story that I needed to hear.

I have read quite a few books of this type and I have to say that I Want was probably one of the most honest, down to the nitty gritty books in the genre. Mitchell obviously pulls no punches as she details her progression to her addiction and makes no apologies about believing that the 12 step program saved her life.

I loved reading this book because sprinkled throughout are little nuggets of wisdom - all the while 12 step "speak" and beliefs can be found.

I also must applaud Mitchell's willingness to open herself up so much - this book is quite raw at times and it is obvious that the author firmly believes in program - and she has no qualms in putting herself out there for all to read.

I loved reading this memoir and I congratulate Mitchell and wish her only the best in her continued sobriety - one day at a time.

I Want iWant
For the original posting of this, check out: http://farmsanctuary.typepad.com/making_hay/2009/09/i-.html
(Please note, hyperlinks have been removed in this review, but you can see them in that URL.)

I Want iWant

I consider myself a minimalist, mostly. I live in a teeny-tiny apartment in New York City, I don't have a car, I almost exclusively shop second-hand, I'm vegan (duh), and I try my best - well, almost my best - not to contribute to frivolous consumerism.

Which is why I borrowed (and didn't buy) the book iWant from a friend of mine. After reading it in record-time, iWant more. (And I kind of want to own the book, too.)

Written (or, arguably, sung) by Jane Velez-Mitchell - host of the Headline News show "Issues With Jane Velez-Mitchell" - this book details her journey "from addiction and overconsumption to a simpler, honest life." Throughout the story, Velez-Mitchell uses the Twelve Step Program as a model for improving and empowering her life in all its facets - from overcoming an alcohol addiction to finding her true self, which includes her animal-activist self. Chapter Five - "I Want to Make a Difference" - links the childhood disappearance of her dog, Mr. Monday (her parents gave him away without telling her), to the roots of her animal activism. "[T]hrough that tragedy," she says, "I also found my passion and my mission... to stop animal suffering."

It wasn't until years later - when longtime journalist Velez-Mitchell found herself covering stories about animal cruelty ("to me," she says, "they were all Mr. Monday") - that she went vegan and devoted her life to stopping these unfathomable abuses.

Velez-Mitchell went on to bring issues that most journalists wouldn't touch with a jar of barbeque sauce to the forefront of mainstream media (as of last January, "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell" reached an average of 531,000 viewers per month). Among the hefty subjects that Velez-Mitchell has brought to the masses include downed animals, the health implications of an animal-based diet, the historic Prop 2 campaign and other anti-confinement measures, and the connection between swine flu and filthy living conditions for pigs (check out her ground-breaking coverage of that).

Velez-Mitchell's holistic mindset also led her to significantly decrease her consumption habits - which further informed her identity as an environmentalist. In one of my favorite sections of the book, she describes how she created a "kindness inventory" for her shopping choices:

It's a very simple test. Has the product been tested on animals? If it has, I won't buy it. [...] This simple test has allowed me to eliminate the vast majority of harsh, toxic chemicals from my home, from my life, and at least in a small part, from the environment. Like everything in life, it's hard to be completely black-and-white. There are products such as plane engines that are animal-tested. Traditionally, bird carcasses are shot into the engines to determine if the machinery can still function; suitable density substitutions are used as well. Does that mean I'm never going to fly in a plane? No. Will people who have no ethical considerations whatsoever use this outlandish example to put people like me on the defensive? Probably. To those people I say, "I'd rather be a hypocrite one percent of the time than be a heartless individual 99 percent of the time."

After reading iWant, here is how I was personally inspired:

I always make sure to have reusable grocery bags with me. (When Jane Velez-Mitchell forgets to bring her reusable bags, she either returns home to get them or opts, as she explains, to "awkwardly carry the purchases out of the store in my arms without a bag. Do that a couple of times and you'll find yourself remembering to bring the reusable bag. It's that simple.")
I do my best to only get shade-grown, fair-trade coffee whenever possible. (Velez-Mitchell says: "Shade-grown is the time honored method of planting coffee shrubs in the shade of tall trees. That practice has long made coffee plantations excellent places for birds and small animals to live.")
I do my best to shop in bulk and at the fabulous NYC Greenmarkets.
My partner and I drop off our food scraps at the Greenmarket's compost bin.
I never ever buy water bottles anymore; instead, I carry around a metal one. You can even get a Farm Sanctuary metal water bottle. ("Americans throw out two and a half million plastic bottles every hour!" exclaimed a horrified Velez-Mitchell.)
So, here's your homework:

Get yourself a copy of iWant by Jane Velez-Mitchell.
Tune in daily to "Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell."
If you see Velez-Mitchell cover an animal story on her show, contact CNN and tell them that you want to see more stories like that! (This works, folks! Also see Farm Animals in the Media: How to Respond Effectively.)
If you're in NYC, join us for the Oct. 4 Walk for Farm Animals, where Jane Velez-Mitchell will be our very special guest celebrity speaker! (And if you're not in NYC, sign up for a Walk near you and check out the uber-cool Walk blog, "Walk Talk.")
iWant is not only an inspirational read, but it also is medicine for any animal-loving human. Why? Simple: A strong message in this book is the importance of self-care, which is the key ingredient in avoiding activist burnout. (Something I don't shut up about.) So do yourself a favor and read iWant. Even if you don't yet know it, you might need it.

Fabulous Tell All Book!
I read Jane Velez-Mitchell's book and loved it! I couldn't put it down, it was a real page turner. Jane's stories about her own experiences in life and at work are fabulous. She has a great sense of humor, and I found them touching and very personal. I applaud her candor and strength. I learned a lot about Jane and the television news business which is a highly stressful career. I also liked reading how she got where she is. A fascinating life! She not only exposed her personal struggles, but brings to light the issues many are facing with addiction and over-consumption. I think everyone will love this book because we all know people who are dealing with this; and if you love Jane on TV, you'll really get to know her. She gives expert advice and practical ways to change one's negative and self-destructive thinking and behavior. Obviously, it's worked for her, she's a star! Jane has been through a lot and has come out strong and successful - I watch her "Issues" show every night, and think she is the very best out there. Jane's not only a brilliant journalist, but a great writer. I also read "Secrets," and loved that, too. I hope to meet her and get my copy signed when she speaks at the 92nd Street Y in NYC in October. I am also sending copies of the book to my friends and family for the holidays. Brava, Jane!