The BAP Handbook: The Official Guide to the Black American Princess (Paperback)

~ (Author), Tracey Lewis (Author), Karla Lightfoot (Author), Ginger Wilson (Author) "A pampered female of African-American descent born to an upper-middle- or upper-class family..." (more)
Key Phrases: The Good Life, United States, Los Angeles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"Finally, a book about the Black American Princess! If you're already a BAP or just want to act like one, this book is for you!"
-- E. Lynn Harris, author of Not a Day Goes By

In the bestselling tradition of The Official Preppy Handbook, here is a must-have manual for the BAP and those who love her.

Black American Princess: 1 : a pampered female of African American descent, born to an upper-middle or upper-class family 2 : an African American female whose life experiences give her a sense of royalty and entitlement 3 : BAP (acronym) : colloquial expression 4 : an African American female accustomed to the best and nothing less.

Drawn from hours of interviews, archival research, and frequent visits to Prada, The Black American Princess Handbook offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at this exclusive lifestyle. Your total guide to BAP speak, BAP style, and BAP history, this one-of-a-kind book explains everything you ever wanted know about living the BAP life?from breaking in a shop-a-phobic dad to planning a magical BAP debutante ball.

In addition, you'll learn why a true BAP cleans her house before the housekeeper arrives, what to do if your Baby BAP wants to play sports, and whether it's OK for a relative to sing "I Believe I Can Fly" at a BAP wedding. Also featuring spot-the-BAP checklists, suggestions for top BAP colleges, a Who's Who of famous BAPs, a glossary (including essential French phrases), actual diary entries and e-mails from BAPS of all ages, and crucial chapters such as "It's High Noon-Do You Know Where Your Groove Is?"

The Black American Princess Handbook is destined to become a coveted treasure for BAPs worldwide. And, published just in time for graduation, it's sure to be at the top of every BAP's shopping list.

From the Inside Flap

"Finally, a book about the Black American Princess! If you're already a BAP or just want to act like one, this book is for you!"
? E. Lynn Harris, author of Not a Day Goes By

In the bestselling tradition of The Official Preppy Handbook, here is a must-have manual for the BAP and those who love her.

Black American Princess: 1 : a pampered female of African American descent, born to an upper-middle or upper-class family 2 : an African American female whose life experiences give her a sense of royalty and entitlement 3 : BAP (acronym) : colloquial expression 4 : an African American female accustomed to the best and nothing less.

Drawn from hours of interviews, archival research, and frequent visits to Prada, The Black American Princess Handbook offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at this exclusive lifestyle. Your total guide to BAP speak, BAP style, and BAP history, this one-of-a-kind book explains everything you ever wanted know about living the BAP life?from breaking in a shop-a-phobic dad to planning a magical BAP debutante ball.

In addition, you'll learn why a true BAP cleans her house before the housekeeper arrives, what to do if your Baby BAP wants to play sports, and whether it's OK for a relative to sing "I Believe I Can Fly" at a BAP wedding. Also featuring spot-the-BAP checklists, suggestions for top BAP colleges, a Who's Who of famous BAPs, a glossary (including essential French phrases), actual diary entries and e-mails from BAPS of all ages, and crucial chapters such as "It's High Noon-Do You Know Where Your Groove Is?"

The Black American Princess Handbook is destined to become a coveted treasure for BAPs worldwide. And, published just in time for graduation, it's sure to be at the top of every BAP's shopping list.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Broadway; 1 edition (June 5, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767905504
• ISBN-13: 978-0767905503
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #159,673 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A humorous book not to be taken seriously, July 24, 2001

By	Dera R Williams (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This satirical look at the lifestyles of Black American princesses or those who think they are (Bogus?) is a humorous and fun read. And should be interpreted as just that,a fun book to be read and taken with a grain of salt. Although this little book makes it clear who IS and who IS NOT, it is not a bible or even a guide to the upper class/middle class black women. Who would want to be known as being so shallow? Sure there are some truths regarding origins and status, but some of the reviewers here seem to be quite taken with identifying with these stereotypes to the point of putting down those who didn't grow up as a BAP. I guess these Bettys and Bohos look down their noses at the the Butterflies (let's not mention the Bogus), those who moved into BAPtitude through achievement and schooling. The distinction is made here between a BAP and a Buppie which is key point. Being a BAP is mainly about attitude. It was good to see a book of this type; there are certainly enough books about the negative aspects of black women in the media but I would like to see a stronger analysis with less emphasis on materialism and more on what they represent to the community (and better editing). The four women who wrote this are all accomplished women and it would be interesting to know their stories and how they became BAPS. This is a fun quick read to take on vacation this summer.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Funny but too materialistic, April 7, 2002

By	Yolanda (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

I thought that this book was an interesting, light-hearted read as I identified myself as exemplifying BAP status. As an honor roll, Seven Sisters college-bound, graduating senior, yes, I have had plenty of BAP material experiences including a debutante cotillion, attending private schools, and being fortunate enough to afford Louis Vitton and Gucci handbags. However, I hate the fact that this book emphasizes that in order to be a BAP, one must have money. Although there is a distinction between being a BAP and a BUPPY (Black Urban Professional), and the fact that education does not necessarily breed class, it is important to note that class does not necessarily breed education. I know plenty of women that have so-called "menial jobs" as cleaning ladies, restaurant workers, and child-care workers-- jobs with which the world would not be able to function-- that exemplify more class and BAPtitiude than some women that are college-educated, sorority-initiated and Fortune 500 company employed. This book was funny and I did see some aspects of myself, my mother, my sister, and my friends in it. However, I think that it is unfair to characterize educated and successful black women as being materialistic, and to put down those that are not.
Another note-- if you (the authors of this book and some of you that responded) want to be seen as being so educated and high-class, (especially if you are college graduates), then I think that you should not only learn how to spell properly, but use proper punctuation as well.

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a BAP, but a BAQ!, June 6, 2002

By	Passionflower Poetess (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

I pretty much read The BAP handbook in less than a day. I am not a Jack and Jill member, yet I come from a family of women and men of Black fraternities/sororities who are lawyers, educators, professors and upstanding community members. My family also supported me to attend and graduate from a well known and prestigious HBCU. I can relate to the BAP girl growing up surrounded by love and family who would do anything for you. But my family instilled in me that money and clothes can be gone in a day. A well known dentist in our town, whose daughters were Jack and Jill and very popular, was arrested for illegal acts regarding his business and other involvements. My family used that family's crisis to convey to my sister and I that everyone with money, expensive cars and big titles, doesn't live happily and may not be as honest as we would think.

I hope NO WOMEN who have SHAKY SELF ESTEEM read this book! Because it conveys that material things, titles and memberships 'make the BAP' and thus, make the woman valuable. If you don't feel loved and whole on the inside no amount of MAC, clothes, men, trips to Paris or Prada is going to make you as a women feel happy, valuable or make others respect you. If anything, people will just use you and 'keep on stepping.'

These authors were intellgent enough to write two or three books on and for our troubled young African American girls who are having sex irresponsibly, doing drugs, choosing the wrong friends and being neglected by their 'rich' and financially struggling parents alike. But they didn't and that's their choice. So, I feel the authors promoted materialism and superficial ideologies a bit too much.

I liked Our Kind of People alot better, a book by Lawrence Otis Graham. Graham's book had more of a historical and factual perspective to the roots and lifestyle of upper middle class African Americans.

The BAP handbook is best suited for girlfriends who want to get together and laugh about ridiculous stereotypes, money mishaps, materialism and college memories.

Of course all of us women have some similarity to some of the BAP descriptions, but some of it is a little off the deep end. Most of the friends I have who are middle and upper middle class do not regularly shop at Tiffiany's and Prada. Those are the girls who have high, high debt and brag all day , at work about their credit cards. But most of them are stressed because they can barely pay their bills.

I think the authors forgot to add that even BAP girls have college/grad. school loans that need to be paid back and some of them shack up with boyfriends to avoid paying rent, etc.

I'd rather be known as a beautiful person, who has confidence, skills and talent and happens to be attractive , than a BAP. The BAP girl in this book reminds me of silly, immature female co-workers I've had who try so hard to impress one another and appear like they are rich, but they weren't raised like that and they spend their last dime at 'Bloomies', Tiffiany's or Bananna Republic only to come up short later. That's so tired.

I can't speak for the BWIP (Black West Indian Princess) but African Americans, including women, are smarter about money now. Now it's more respectable to dress smart and have money in the bank and investments with a plus being having your own business. The BAP girl in this book, sounds straight out the 1950's, cause all my quote un-quote BAP girlfriends, live well AND handle their finances well! Now that's living for the best and nothing less! If you are a woman who stands for the best, you don't have to say it out loud, people know it.

Prada isn't necessarily the best, neither is Chanel or other high end name brands, this is what society says is 'the best' or makes you 'rich.' But for those of us who don't have mommy and daddy paying our bills anymore, always springing for the high end, isn't smart.

My friends and I call ourselves 'Queens' and the men in our lives treat us as such! So can we get a book about the empowered, smart, attractive, money-savvy, successful, educated and classy African American Queen?! The BAQ! Black American Queen! The princess is all grown up and no longer throwing tantrums and being materialistic. Save that for materialistic imaged rap videos!