cover image La Vida Rica: The Latina's Guide to Success

La Vida Rica: The Latina's Guide to Success

Yrma Rico, Nancy S. Garascia. McGraw-Hill Companies, $18.95 (218pp) ISBN 978-0-07-142218-5

In this friendly and realistic book, Rico, a former television executive and founding member of Entravision, dispenses career advice in such a genuine way that readers will feel compelled to hear her out. And they should. Rico speaks not just from the heart, but from experience: a former migrant worker, armed only with a G.E.D. and raw ambition, she attained""the rich life"" without giving up her cultural identity or her humanity. Her book primarily focuses on professional success: winning at office politics, surviving bad bosses, becoming a good boss oneself and using attire and make-up to one's advantage. But Rico also provides blunt counsel on dealing with marriage, family and finances. Extensive reading lists and resource listings are also included. Much of Rico's advice is as useful to non-Latinas as to Latinas, addressing many issues, such as sexual harassment, that women face regardless of their ethnicity or upbringing. However, by addressing these topics through the lens of Latino culture, Rico makes her very practical advice even more personal. In fact, the author's advice is so sound that one even forgives the frequent references to just how""rica"" she's become. Rico seems to truly want to inspire readers to action, and by sharing the wealth of her knowledge and experience in this helpful book, she just might.