Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Surprise--Totally GREAT!
Review: Angry Black Woman's Guide to Life
REVIEW
OK. I wasn't planning on reading this book, but because it won the N.Y. HOTEP SOCIETY BOOK AWARD for "funniest book", I decided to check it out.
It was FUNNY AS HECK!!! I read it in one quick night. Totally light, cheery and FULL OF WISDOM and good taste. It made me proud to be an angry black woman.
Check it out for sure now.
Rating: 
Summary: Unclear /Miss- Use of Terms
Review: I read this book from the shelf of the local B and N. I was shocked by the title and thus, wanted to know what the author had to say on the issue. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the book's content. I initially thought that the text would be a rationalization for upholding a powerful, albeit negative, stereotype of Black women. It does and it is--BUT the text also calls our attention to the powerful Black women who have made change--and these changes all spurned from their "anger." bell hooks speaks about the power of proactive anger and the revolutionary changes that can take place once we decide we've had enough--all of us--and so one thing that I wish this author would have done was to change the title of the book so that it doesn't get overlooked as "just another rationale for Black women and the angry stereotype." Quite frankly, "anger" is not the correct term for what the women that bell hooks speaks of and the women that are discussed in the book have as the catalyst for their decision to make lasting revolutionary changes. I think the author falls back on the power of the rhetoric of shock value to get us sistahs to take her work seriously, but I can't and won't take this work seriously because the authors can't let go of stereotypical terminology that is used to frame a significant discussion of how Black women have and do change the world.
Rating: 
Summary: I would recommend that all ABWs check it out
Review: I was really excited to get a copy of The ABW's Guide to Life. I thought
this is a book that represents me! I took the quiz and scored on the high
end the "Silent Stewer" and felt this indeed is a book all about me.The book started out strong with a chapter on historical ABWs and ABWs at
work. Dealing with our kids was also a favorite of mine. Some of the
other chapters I could not relate to which is fine all ABWs are not alike,
but there were also some chapters I did not think were as sharp or funny as
other chapters such as angry white women and dealing with our men. The book gave a name to some of the things I have felt or experienced as a
Black woman. It was validation of a sort to read that my life experiences
are part of the greater experience of Black woman. While I thought the
content was sometimes uneven, that aspect of the book was valuable to me
and I think would be valuable to other Black woman. The book was a quick read and I think there is something in there for every
ABW to enjoy. I would not say it was the wittiest book I have every read
and does not rate as one of my all time favorites, but based on the topic
alone I would recommend that all ABWs check it out for themselves. Reviewed by Melissa
MBC2004
Rating: 
Summary: Stupid treatment of an important issue.
Review: I was very disappointed in this book (fortunately lent me by a friend.) This book is not for anyone seeking enlightment, growth, or even strength regarding black womens struggle in this country. It is for those more inclined to today's silly hip-hop psychology, a psychology that continues to destroy today's black men and women. It's a bunch of foolishness kind of like a BET in print. There are better ways to address this subject.
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining book!
Review: Indeed the book is a quick read, but I found it entertaining. You really don't have to be angry to read ABW, and men will love this book too. Cute, and different.
Rating:
Summary: Ironically, I liked it
Review: My mother sent me this book to belittle a choice I've made. I read the cover summary, took the quiz, and decided to read the book. It was a lighthearted, yet supportive book for me - a woman who says what she means, means what she says, and gets ALL KINDS of drama for it... I know that my mother expected it to get a rise out me that generated negative energy, but NOPE!!!This was a good little read.
Rating: 
Summary: Satirical Stabs at Societal Frustrations
Review: The Angry Black Woman's (ABW) Guide to Life is a tongue-in-cheek examination of black women's reactions and thoughts caused by societal and situational frustrations. Weighing in at about 160 pages, it covers a variety of topics (some better than others) in a variety of forms. It opens with a multiple-choice quiz to allow readers to determine their ABW type. The three categories of results align with personality types of both fictional and real women; examples are Mo'Nique/Aunt Esther, Diana Ross/Bernadine (Waiting to Exhale), and Claire Huxtable/Condoleezza Rice. The book continues along this path and highlights a variety of situations ranging from career (managers and coworkers), interpersonal relationships (men and children), and even analogies with angry white women. Filled with quizzes, lists, and scenarios, it fancies itself as an `in-your-face, no holds barred' synopsis of why black women are angry, what drives them crazy and comedic tips for coping with the madness that ensues. Of course, one should always tread lightly on race relations - dealing with generalities and stereotypes should be handled with care for obvious reasons. It cannot be argued that the authors took some liberties with their poetic license, because I personally did not find humor in every chapter; thus the middle of the road rating. The book offers a break from the normalcy found in today's contemporary fiction and if read with the right attitude a smile, laugh, or a nod in agreement can be gained. Reviewed by Phyllis
June 6, 2004
APOOO BookClub
The Nubian Circle Book Club
Rating:
Summary: Satirical Stabs at Societal Frustrations
Review: The Angry Black Woman's (ABW) Guide to Life is a tongue-in-cheek examination of black women's reactions and thoughts caused by societal and situational frustrations. Weighing in at about 160 pages, it covers a variety of topics (some better than others) in a variety of forms. It opens with a multiple-choice quiz to allow readers to determine their ABW type. The three categories of results align with personality types of both fictional and real women; examples are Mo'Nique/Aunt Esther, Diana Ross/Bernadine (Waiting to Exhale), and Claire Huxtable/Condoleezza Rice. The book continues along this path and highlights a variety of situations ranging from career (managers and coworkers), interpersonal relationships (men and children), and even analogies with angry white women. Filled with quizzes, lists, and scenarios, it fancies itself as an 'in-your-face, no holds barred' synopsis of why black women are angry, what drives them crazy and comedic tips for coping with the madness that ensues. Of course, one should always tread lightly on race relations - dealing with generalities and stereotypes should be handled with care for obvious reasons. It cannot be argued that the authors took some liberties with their poetic license, because I personally did not find humor in every chapter; thus the middle of the road rating. The book offers a break from the normalcy found in today's contemporary fiction and if read with the right attitude a smile, laugh, or a nod in agreement can be gained. Reviewed by Phyllis
June 6, 2004
APOOO BookClub
The Nubian Circle Book Club
Rating:
Summary: Anger Management.
Review: THE ANGRY BLACK WOMAN'S GUIDE TO LIFE is an outrageously funny, no holds barred book that takes you deep into the mindset of ABW's (angry black women) everywhere.
Not your typical "how-to book", this guide is chock-full of questionnaires, quizzes and scenarios (including what and what not to do). Got a trifling man? Bad children? If so, then you definitely need to read this book. It not only deals with those issues, but it also shows you how to effectively deal with racists, situations in the workplace, those "ghetto fabulous" people that we oftentimes hate to claim as a part of our race, and any other situation that you can think of where finger-popping, neck-swiveling, talk to the hand gestures, and instant attitude would be the ABW's first reaction.
A mere 160 pages, THE ANGRY BLACK WOMAN'S GUIDE TO LIFE is short and to the point. I often found myself laughing out loud and nodding my head in agreement with everything, as will most other women who read this. I also realized that I may be in denial about it, but I am an angry black woman, and there is nothing wrong with a little righteous anger. This was unequivocally the best "how-to" book I have ever read.
Reviewed by Renee Williams
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating:
Summary: Great book, easy to get into
Review: This is great book, very entertaining. I didn't even know I was angry (ha,ha). I easily indentified with the women who wrote it. Very enjoyable reading. Males don't be scared to pick up a copy: read it and then pass it on to the angry women in your life.
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