What If . . .

A Lifetime of Questions, Speculations, Reasonable Guesses, and a Few Things I Know for Sure

By: Shirley MacLaine

Narrated by: Shirley MacLaine

From Academy Award–winning actress and bestselling author Shirley MacLaine, a collection of imaginative ruminations: “Fun and thoughtful by turns and told in MacLaine’s feisty, funny voice, this should appeal to fans and doubters alike” (Booklist).

Beloved actress and bestselling author Shirley MacLaine contemplates everything from the everyday to the esoteric in this collection of ideas and observations, each of which begins with two simple, powerful words: What if?

Taking this as her starting point, Shirley explores a wide range of matters—spiritual and secular, humorous and profound, earthbound and intergalactic, personal and universal. Along the way, she also reflects on joining the cast of Downton Abbey, receiving the prestigious American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award, and introducing a new puppy into her formerly one-dog home.

From Shirley’s questions emerges a striking portrait of a constantly curious woman who thrills to new ideas and discoveries—all while enjoying one of the most extraordinary and enduring careers in Hollywood. What if . . . captures the one and only Shirley MacLaine at her witty, acerbic, imaginative, and irresistible best.

The Real Stuff!

Everything resonates with what I'm going through in my life. Thank you Shirley for a wonderful experience!

EXCELLENCE!

Shirley MacLaine did a beautiful job introducing an enormous amount of information; covering many and various subjects/topics - and touching on most.
A book well written & read by the eccentric author ; which is almost as impressive, to me, as the contents. I LOVE her no-nonsense interaction with life in general and people in particular. she is an icon who will enhance anyone's life who is (even a little bit ) interested in spiritually evolving ... or just waking from the dream state. I have been intrigued by her since the movie "Some Came Running", because I observed a diamond in the rough becoming polished; which she stripped & sanded over the years to become REAL! And appear to be polished when neccessary.
Shirley MacLaine is, in my opinion, the most versatile, open, honest, secure, talented and aware person I have ever observed.
The only thing I have left on my "bucket list" is to meet her.
This book is only one of her many excellent pieces of art.
If I had to choose one thing to say about this book it would be this:
I was looking for intertainment (a break from listening to and reading hundreds of serious 'self-help' and esoteric books) and what I received is both!

Gratitude to Ms. MacLaine

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and getting to know her history. Such an intelligent and mindful delight! I feel so much more enlightened and educated, aware thanks to her. It will stay with me a lifetime no doubt. Her courage to be an individual is so admirable for someone like me who is constantly striving to get to my true self and stay there in peace. Thank you so much! Precious gem she is!

A Purging of the Mind

Listening to Shirley MacLaine reading her own book is what makes this listen so enjoyable. It's like having a hot toddy with a good friend that loves to entertain with thoughts and ideas that most people are too afraid to discuss.

SM adds a few real life snapshots of a life that is as unique as a good movie, no matter what the genre. A thought carried me throughout the read....If we are all actors in our own theater of life, something I often thought even as a child, and SM seems to have thought also,, then perhaps we could alter the daily script of life to make this a better world. Maybe in some way SM is trying to tell us, what if EVERYTHING we do matters?

If you have an open mind this is for you, if you tend to be hyper critical of what might be considered outlandish ideas, you should pass.... I don't think SM would care if you did. But you'd really miss out. Lol.

Feast for thought...

Shirley has a talent for asking the questions that we all have at different times of our lives. Deep thinking and provocative questions provide opportunities to see things from several perspectives. Excellent read.