Rating: 
Summary: What Southern Women Shouldn't Want
Review: If you insist on reading this book, please skim the chapter titles, laugh at the anecdotes, but do not take it to heart. The author succeeds at making one laugh and immersing the reader in all that is southern. It also convinces you that with public speakers such as the author, southern women are destined to reign as the petty, uninformed, superficial (yet lovely!) debutantes of society - a sheltered, very un-international society. The author has allowed herself the perfect opportunity to spread the virtues of the southern woman while dispelling the myths - and this book does not do this. Rather, it serves to imprison every female reader of any social flaw or physical imperfection she might suffer. In fact, the book's advice includes coiffing and applying make-up before an inpatient hospital surgery (you should always look your best!), along with bypassing the medical receptionist and harassing the "family plastic surgeon" (all with a smile!) for an appointment for yet another itsy-bitsy procedure while he is amidst another patient's more urgent care. Need I say more?
Rating: 
Summary: Southern Grace-a Trait all Women can Possess
Review: Every once in a while, a book comes along that exudes southern grace and charm. Ronda Rich's, "What Southern Women Know..." should be a must have manual for all women. It proves that you do not have to be born in the south to learn our way to succeed in life. All you have to have is optimism, a sense of humor, and love for oneself. Though I was not born a southern belle; I now carry myself as one. Ronda Rich has taken Scarlette O'Hara and Melanie Wilkes, combined the two, and brought them into the new millenium. Whether you are a woman trying to rise to new heights in your career or striving to be a wonderful wife and mother; Ronda Rich has the advice that has guided countless generations of southern women to success.This book will help you achieve the style and the substance of the true southern woman.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, funny and Inspiring!
Review: I just had the pleasure of hearing the author speak and I was doubled over with laughter. I bought the book and she is as funny in print as she is in person. This book is an absolute delight because it stresses the importance of women being strong and resilient in times of heartbreak and adversity. She makes good, solid points about dealing with life during the difficult times but she does it with a sense of humor and compassion. After all, what would you expect from a book with titles like "If Life Were Fair, Pecan Pie Would Have No Calories," "Pretty Is As Pretty Does" and "Choose Your Battles Carefully (If Custer Had, He Wouldn't Be Buried In The Middle Of Nowhere). When she finished her talk, the standing room only audience gave her a standing ovation and then many stood in line for almost hour to talk to her. She laughs at herself as easily as she laughs at life's upsets and there is something warmly appealing about that. I recommend this book to everyone --- male, female, southern, northern, American, European. What I like most is the thought of returning to a kinder, more gracious society where everyone bakes casseroles for the sick and the bereaved. But if you don't have time for that and need to do a good deed for someone, just buy them this book! I'll bet you get a thank you note!
Rating: 
Summary: An absolute piece of crap
Review: This book is offensive and sickening. It teaches women to be an appendage of their husbands! I have no problem with the advice to be polite to others, but this "book" has more in common with Marabel Morgan's "Total Woman" than any other book I know. I'm a guy, born in Georgia and still living in GA. If my wife read this and liked it, I'd divorce her for being a cretin. I really feel sorry for the women who have reviewed this and love it. Thay are pathetic old fashioned Junior League (And my mother is in the Junior League) type women without enough sense to think for themselves. Southern women are not monolithic, they do not all believe the same things, nor act in the same manner. Thank goodness I know very few women who would even read this pices of trash. I associate closely with none and that's the way I want it. Any imbecile who believes it is more important to wear fancy underwear or perfect makeup, who believes it is the woman's job to puff up a man's ego is sad. Good grief, I thought we passed this point many years ago.
Rating:
Summary: Please turn this book into a movie!
Review: I bought this book after a review in a Chicago magazine that highly recommended it. Now, it's my turn to highly recommend this to the women of the world --- southerner or not. I loved every word and now I dream of a perfect world where femininity and graciousness reigns. As a professional woman, it is just the kind of book and encouragement that I have needed. I enjoyed all the hilarious stories that the author shares of her family and friends who have applied and succeeded with these principles and beliefs. Now, all I can say is --- I hope Hollywood turns this into a movie and pays homage to these smart, sassy, gracious, funny women. Women who are truly an inspiration.
Rating:
Summary: Tapping into my hidden southern charm!
Review: I work with the public, in tourism actually, and am always looking for new ideas in dealing with customer service. I saw this book on vacation and HAD TO HAVE IT! No disappointments here. Written in a witty style, this quick read gives great insight to the powers of southern charm. I quickly noted things I could add into my personality and have begun to increase my "charm" quality. No situation can be too scary, just beef up that backbone, add some lipstick and smile. Many times I have used the "sparkle, sparkle" mantra when feeling rather down and have turned my attitude right around. I have also noticed I get more attention when I feel "sparkly" and who wouldn't want that???
Rating: 
Summary: A joy for Southern souls
Review: As a Southern woman I found a lot to enjoy in this book. At times I was amazed at how closely this book reflected my own behavior and personal philosophy. To me, if you are from the South (or wish you were!) you will enjoy this book. Chapter titles include, "Charm That Disarms," "If Life Were Fair, Peacan Pie Would Have No Calories," "Always Look Your Best Even If You Feel Your Worst," and "A Good Attitude is Like Kudzu." If you are looking for a feminist statement, this is not the book for you. If you love the gentile South, you'll love this book. I have to admit the thought of the charming, gracious world the author paints is very appealing to me!
Rating:
Summary: A Thousand Stars!
Review: I have read and memorized Rhonda Rich's book and consider her to be something of a Biblicist on propriety, the southern version, in particular. What else need be said? Her book and the woman herself are testimonies to the oh so rare consideration of a civilized society - one where women are allowed to be feminine and men are men - but so much more - I would advise all women from everywhere to read this book and apply it to their lives and further, I would encourage all men to read this book to help them understand. Grace and charm are, for some completely stupid reason, undervalued in today's society. And while Rhonda may be tongue-in-cheek sometimes, and God bless her for that, she only does it to serve a most valued end to her argument that life would be ever so much nicer if we were polite, forgiving, and God forbid, NICE to each other. I say Bravo! Rhonda, please write a thousand books! You are a wonderful sage!
Rating:
Summary: Great book! Such a sweet read...
Review: Wonderful. Truly loved it. One of the best books I've ever read! Not only useful, but SO entertaining and funny as well! It's a gem...so valuable, and yet an "affordable" gem at that! (lol) Truly sad when i finished it, and would love to have the audio version to listen to it read in a Southern drawl! You need to buy it, y'all! P.S. My only complaint is how strongly the author stresses food as an effective coping mechanism through life. It seems to me that this little piece of advice is non-healthy and self-sabotaging, and so much at odds with the rest of the mood in this wonderful little gem of a book :=)
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Insightful and Helpful Book! Fun Too!
Review: I have read so many self help books,and many seemed to hint that a woman should capitalize on her weaknesses rather than her strengths,that women are weak and can't think for themselves, but "What Southern Women Know" doesn't allow you to rest on your laurels,it gives many wonderful examples of strong and feminine women who fight for themselves,families and home,and most of all when you have finished the book,it helps you get insight into yourself and what you are really capable of,which is just about everything. It is a no excuses book,it doesn't put women down as some books do,but builds them up. The book is extremely fun to read,not a dull moment in it..it will cheer you up and make your day! I read it at a low time in my life,and it helped me to see that life is a process,not always made up of right,wrong,black and white,but a process with twists and turns and sometimes we don't get what we want....we get something better. Read this book and you will learn to keep your ears,eyes and heart open to new and better possibilities.What I have learned is to handle situations with humor,it will ease the stress and you will be able to perform better at what you truly want in your life,your heart's desire.
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