Say What You Really Mean! How Women Can Learn to Speak Up

Johanyak (The Lost Art and Forgotten Science of Being a Woman) covers well-trod ground in this earnest career guide. Seeking to convey stronger and more effective ways of communicating to improve romantic, familial, and professional relationships, Johanyak pinpoints 10 distinct verbal pitfalls and gives each its own chapter of analysis and discussion. Academic studies research, magazine and news articles, anecdotal information, all are presented, but, overall, much of what the tome offers is simply common sense, and the expected watershed of practical tips for clearly identifying and resolving problem areas never appears. Some of the language and constructs used%E2%80%94one scenario describes a woman as fearful of being seen as "loose," while pages in another chapter are devoted to dissecting how Adam and Eve's communication skills failed them%E2%80%94come across as archaic. Johanyak does, however, end each chapter with suggested strategies for positive change that are worth reviewing, though one can't help but wish that these were more thoroughly developed. (Dec.)