A Woman's Self-Esteem: Struggles and Triumphs in the Search for Identity

Branden is well established as the foremost expert on self-esteem, with 30 years as a psychotherapist and several books to his credit, including The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem. In this brief collection of essays on self-esteem issues particularly pertinent to women, he again displays his unusual understanding of the depth and breadth of this ""basic psychological need."" Refuting criticism and dispelling misconceptions, he clearly explains how and why ""of all the judgments we pass in life, none is more important than the judgment we pass on ourselves."" Branden organizes his thoughts by the ""key virtues or practices on which healthy self-esteem depends""--namely, ""living consciously, self-acceptance, self-responsibility, self-assertiveness, purposeful living, and personal integrity."" Recognizing the potent social pressures on women to suppress anger, sublimate ambitions, ""disown their strengths"" and ""feel especially vulnerable to charges of `selfishness,'"" he repeatedly refers to the ""courage"" required to develop and maintain healthy high self-esteem. Branden gently teaches women to set appropriate boundaries, express anger, cope with anxiety and ""take their ideas seriously."" Using his trademark sentence-completion exercises, he helps readers clarify the changes they need to make within themselves in order to improve their lives. (Oct.)