The Princessa : Machiavelli for Women

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Summary: Intelligent reading for all women
Review: Harriet Rubins' presentation of Machiavelli For Women is brilliant, intelligent, well written, and powerful. Any woman who dares to empower herself should read this. The notion of the Princessa is nicely presented over the contexual framework of the Prince but not watered down. This literary jewel stands on its own merits. The format of the book utilizes the notion of strategy, tactics and weapons as central themes ( chapters ) while subsuming critical ideas and actions within those themes; certainly not a soft focus. The notes,and selected bibliography included suggests a scholarly focus, and lends credibility, and validity to the publication. I read the book in one evening the first time and now I spend evenings re-reading and digesting each point. I highly recommend The Princessa!

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Summary: Worst Book I Have Ever Read
Review: Here, at last, is the worst book I have ever read and am likely to read. Harriet Rubin has collected a few childish anecdotes and added some misreadings of Machiavelli to produce her " Princessa". It is clear that she has never read "The Prince". It is also clear that she knows little about the women she mentions, including Benazir Bhuto, who is presented as " former President of Pakistan", and Anna Akhmatova. It was a painful read. Fortunately, I skipped a lot. It would have been wiser to skip the whole lot! A Reader from Lndon, Great Britain.

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Summary: If there were a lower rating, i.e. zero, I'd have given it
Review: I am a VP in a startup corp, my second, and have been a woman to contend with in 30 years of business life. The book is 99% drivel. Don't waste your money. Every woman i know, that I've thrown it at - - aka Dorothy Parker - - has agreed. Incidentally, I couldn't wait to give it away.

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Summary: Some critics protest a tad loudly?
Review: I do not know the author, I do not know her critics. I noticed there were plenty of people posting here who hated the book, and plenty who loved it. I sincerely wonder if some of the posters aren't also, say, editors?? Just a thought. Apparently different things appeal to different people. I liked the book for some interesting and insightful viewpoints (yes, helpful ones) couched in a colorful, readable presentation. I don't agree with it all, but found the book rather tongue-in-cheek in its tone, and thus see no reason to skewer the writer. I do agree with her in the 'geez, why can't we all just get along?' arena. Healthy discourse, fine... and if you don't like the book, you don't like the book. Don't you hate it when someone at the brainstorming meeting keeps insisting 'that idea's *wrong*'?

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Summary: Good Business Tips
Review: I enjoyed this book. Although the author takes too long to get to most of her points, it is a very insightful book and has ideas about power tips to use in the jobplace such as how to act in meetings, where to sit to attract attention, and dealing with staff. I would recommend it to a reader interested in advancing her place in business with the warning that a lot of "skim reading" is needed.

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Summary: A very empowering book
Review: I found the book to be lacking in overall writing style but the content, strategies, and principles more than made up for it. I found the book to be a challenge and based on good solid principles that I found were liken to Covey.

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Summary: The Princessa: Machiavelli for Women
Review: I have read this book more than five times and I still want to read it again. It is both simplistic and complicated. The very style from which she writes reflects the combining of opposites and the power and imminent strength behind doing just that. If you believe that strong women should NOT use feminine sexuality to their advantage then you have bought into all of the propaganda that has been used to CONTROL women for the last few thousand years. If you believe that true femininity is an innate strength and a power stronger than any other, then you will just love the way this author lays it all out on the line for practical application amidst life's little roadblocks. She dots the i's and crosses the t's. Harriet Rubin is brilliant!

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Summary: You either love it or you hate it....
Review: I loved it. Harriet Rubin is a visionary for those of us that still believe (or wish to believe) that the path of the heart (combined with the good sense of a skillful mind) has the potential to be the most winning combination in business, as in life. Not for the faint-hearted or those who cannot think outside the box.

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Summary: Great For All Women Who Want to Make It -- As Women!
Review: I loved this book! There were many examples of women "turning a man's world into a woman's battleground." They were inspiring! Women, I now realize because of this book, can make it through femininity. Beautiful. Absolutely wonderful! Thank you, Ms. Rubin!

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Summary: The first time I regretted the purchase of a book.
Review: I still can't believe that it was published. I've read betterwriting efforts by first quarter composition students at a university.She is vague. Her tone is conspiratorial. But why? Try to find an outline of her idea. Perhaps that's the only way to read the entire book. I suggest that one reads Machiavelli. I didn't find his gender to be a hinderance. The fact that I am a "she" and Machiavelli was a "he" posed no problem.