Beyond Superwoman: Twenty-Five Top CEOs Show Us How to Get a Life

Rating:
Summary: Against All Odds
Review: An interesting, poignant history of Silicon Valley from the perspective of women who, against all odds, have broken the glass ceiling. The individual annecdotes will insspire us all.
Adele Langendorf, former affiliated scholar at The Institute for Reasearch on Women and Gender, Stanford;. author of the forthcoming book: HOW I ALMOST BETRAYED ROSIE THE RIVETER

Rating:
Summary: A Compelling Read
Review: Beyond Superwoman is a readable, thoroughly researched analysis of women CEO's in Silicon Valley. More than that, it is one of the only books on the market that effectively shows women the way to understand and cope with the multiple pressures of family and career. It really pulls the reader into the narrative!Great stories, wonderful message.

Rating:
Summary: "Beyond Superwoman" is an Eye Opener!
Review: I love this book! And for me - a female on the brink of a major career change - it came at the right time. It's true that there is a blatant lack of "woman-to-woman" mentorship for females in the corporate world. Northern California, which for better or worse, revolves around the success and downfall of Silicon Valley, is no exception. It's interesting to read what drives the female top executives in the Valley - and to find out that they agree on the fact that "a woman cannot do it all at the same time". I never heard of the concept of sequencing before but certainly it is in my vocabulary now. A big thank you to the authors for spending two years on the heels of these top CEOs and for creating an intimate picture of what drives them, exploring their often quirky personalities, how they were raised and for revealing the at times dramatic personal challenges they face while at the top. I like especially the individualistic approach Kathy Levinson (President of E*Trade) has taken. On the other hand, Martha Kanter's dedication (President of De Anza College) falls nothing short of martyrdom and is not appealing to me. There is much food for thought here - no solutions are offered to those searching for a stereotypical female corporate role model to follow, but ample of solid advise from those "who have been there" and still are. "Beyond Superwoman" is inspiring in the sense that there is no right or wrong way for a woman to succeed in what is still a testosterone driven corporate world. Individuality, paired with education, the willingness to push personal limits, a solid personal support network and fearlessness of possible failure are the essentials. The implicit message that authors Strasser Kauffman and Downes Baskin are sending is clear: women are still isolated in absence of "old girls' networks" and have to rely on themselves on their upward bound career tracks. Mentors are scarce, mostly male if available, often even undesired by female professionals on the track to corporate stardom. However, to attract, groom and sustain increasing numbers of female top executives throughout the country, mentors and mentor programs are needed. For me, this book has had a mentoring effect: to see how other women have achieved their goals is an inspiration in itself. The rest is up to me.

Rating:
Summary: Beyond Superwoman
Review: I started reading BEYOND SUPERWOMAN enroute from Massachusetts. When I landed in the San Jose Airport, I felt like I knew what made the Silicon Valley click--these woman who shared their personal and professions life decisions. It is an easy, fascinating book to read.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Book
Review: This book provides the reader with a great insight into Silicon Valley. A must-read not only for women but also for men.