The title of Megan Munroe’s new book, Bitch? Please!: How Nice Girls Can Succeed in a Bitch’s World caused me to wince. Frankly, I’m tired of seeing the “B” word in book titles (and elsewhere) but I realize that the coarseness of our culture makes acceptable many words that demean women. It’s bad enough when the “B” word is hurled at a woman by a man; it’s even more jarring when women use the “B” word to castigate each other. Somehow, the old slogan used to sell cigarettes to women, “You’ve come a long way baby” rings hollow in our brave new liberated world.
Since the subtitle is at odds with the title I decided to read the book and I’m glad I did. It was a pleasant surprise. So much so that I highly recommend it. No, wait — not only do I recommend it, it should be required reading in every high school and placed in every corporate lounge and boardroom.
Megan Munroe explains to women in and out of the workplace how they can succeed in life without compromising their standards and values. She makes a powerful case for her belief that “nice girls finish first”. Not only do they finish first, they are happier.
The author, who is young, writes in an engaging, disarming, humorous style that will probably make many readers unaware that they are being offered a tried and true moral compass. Her youth is a definite plus because it makes her relatable to young women. The truth is that many young (and not so young) women are living without sound principles to guide them in making healthy, constructive decisions about how to live well and still keep their conscience and self respect intact. They have been led to believe that in order to be accepted by trendy peers and get to where they want to go in life they have to tolerate, join or succumb to the ” nasty word” subculture that demeans women. Megan Munroe lays out positive alternative “getting ahead” strategies that have “now” as well as lifeslong benefits.
As much as I am taken aback by the book title, I realize it’s relevant. The content is greatly needed in an anything goes culture too often devoid of civility. So, again, I can’t recommend Bitch? Please! highly enough. Will someone please send a copy to the ladies of “Jersey Shore” (or have someone read it to them)?
The book has a March publication date, so put it on your “must read” list now.
Reviewed by Barbara Morris, R.Ph.