Lessons from the Mountain: What I Learned from Erin Walton - Hardcover

McDonough, Mary

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 075826366X ISBN 13: 9780758263667

Publisher: Kensington, 2011

Synopsis

In this strikingly honest book, McDonough shares the story of her overnight transformation from a normal kid in a working class, Irish Catholic family, to a Hollywood child star. She reveals intimate memories of life in and around that idyllic Virginia farmhouse (really a Warner Brothers back lot in Burbank) - sneaking off to steal candy from Ike Godsey's store; developing crushes on guest stars; trying to crack up cast members during takes; and, most of all, forming a tight-knit second family who played, worked, hugged, and squabbled together. But in the years that followed the show's long run, as McDonough tried to reinvent herself, she found herself battling depression and personal insecurities amplified by her celebrity. Gradually she gained the courage to stand up not just for herself, but - in true Waltons tradition - for others, taking on a new role as an activist for women's body image issues.

About this title

About the Author

Mary McDonough starred as Erin on the award winning television series, The Waltons, for nine years, as well as in the made-for-TV reunion movies that followed. She wrote and directed the award winning film For the Love of May and continues to act on stage and screen. She is also the author of the novel One Year and the memoir Lessons from the Mountain: What I Learned from Erin Walton. Mary was the founding president of LUPUS LA, and created InTheKnow to raise awareness about women’s health issues. She currently lives in Colorado with her husband. Readers can visit her website at www.marymcdonough.com.

Review

"Mary is a whole lot more than Erin on The Waltons. This book shows how she's handled all the highs and lows with grace." ----George Clooney

"A fascinating look at what it's like to grow up in front of and beyond the cameras." ----Eve Plumb

"Somewhere inside that frightened, shy, freckle-faced little girl, who just wanted to please everyone, to just be "good enough," seethed the heart of brave activist, willing to take on all comers in her fight to save women's lives. Mary starts out writing a heartfelt "love letter" to her Waltons co-stars and fans, (no whining here, there s not an ungrateful bone in her body!) But no sooner has she finished happily regaling us with her behind the scenes Waltons tales, and the moral lessons she took to heart along the way, she reveals the terrifying challenges that forced her to become more "Erin Brockovich" than "Erin Walton"! For someone who started out as a sweet little girl afraid to speak up, it certainly is a pleasure to hear her shout from the top of the mountain now! -- --Alison Arngrim, New York Times Best Selling Author of "Confessions of A Prairie Bitch"

"A fascinating look at what it's like to grow up in front of and beyond the cameras." ----Eve Plumb

"Somewhere inside that frightened, shy, freckle-faced little girl, who just wanted to please everyone, to just be "good enough," seethed the heart of brave activist, willing to take on all comers in her fight to save women's lives. Mary starts out writing a heartfelt "love letter" to her Waltons co-stars and fans, (no whining here, there s not an ungrateful bone in her body!) But no sooner has she finished happily regaling us with her behind the scenes Waltons tales, and the moral lessons she took to heart along the way, she reveals the terrifying challenges that forced her to become more "Erin Brockovich" than "Erin Walton"! For someone who started out as a sweet little girl afraid to speak up, it certainly is a pleasure to hear her shout from the top of the mountain now! ----Alison Arngrim, New York Times Best Selling Author of "Confessions of A Prairie Bitch"

Edition details

• Publisher: Kensington
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 075826366X
• ISBN 13: 9780758263667
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304