Climb: Taking Every Step with Conviction, Courage, and Calcu- lated Risk to Achieve a Thriving Career and a Successful Life

Gadsden-Williams, a former executive at Merck and Credit Suisse, mines her career for this inspiring, if not particularly original, guide to success. After many years in C-suite positions, she left her corporate life to cofound a business, Ceiling Breakers, along with her husband, David; the company helps women and people of color to “reach their full potential,” and organizations to meet diversity goals. The book tells her life story, from her middle-class upbringing in North Edison, N.J., and early work in a variety of industries, to her successes in aiding diversity efforts during her career as an executive and at her own company, interspersed with advice on finding success and meaningful work. Her story is undoubtedly inspiring, and sections addressing how corporate diversity and equality efforts have either succeeded and failed are necessary reading. However, her advice—find one’s purpose and passion, seek out a mentor or sponsor, advocate and negotiate for oneself—is far from new. Aspiring businesspeople may be impressed by Gadsden-Williams’s accomplishments and vision, but aren’t likely to find new advice. (May)