cover image What Women Really Want...: And How They Can Get It

What Women Really Want...: And How They Can Get It

L. A. Justice. Carroll & Graf Publishers, $25 (240pp) ISBN 978-0-7867-0766-9

Justice, a freelance writer and author of several books, including Why Men Stay and How Savvy Women Keep Them, believes that most women want respect, financial freedom, good health, love and peace of mind. However, they often don't achieve these goals for a variety of reasons, including lack of motivation, discouraging comments by friends or family and lack of flexibility. In Justice's book, each goal gets its own chapter, complete with an analysis of ""what's holding you back,"" a questionnaire, a list of positive steps and affirmations (e.g., ""I will use criticism as a learning tool""). Justice also attempts to motivate readers by presenting a hodgepodge of quotes and anecdotes from role models both well known and not so famous--including Oprah Winfrey, Helen Gurley Brown and Queen Latifah. According to the author, these women should inspire readers to take charge of their lives, just as Justice had to do when she was poor, unhappy and whining about her life. (Eventually, she realized she had to work harder to earn more money and push for the changes she wanted.) Undoubtedly, some readers will be inspired by these anecdotes, but the book's advice remains superficial, with few original psychological insights. Unhappy women must ""Be grateful.... Give to others and learn from your lows""; women who want respect should ""be polite and helpful at all times."" The same advice could be gleaned from watching the popular daytime talk shows. Agents, Bob Diforio and Marilyn Allen. 5-city author tour. (July)