Customer Reviews

Cleopatra's Secrets of Negotiation & Persuasion for Women

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Bless James W. (J.W.) Pickens for this book. It really is filled with good business advice for anyone, not just for women. As someone who has studied the historical Cleopatra (VII would be the famous one) and as someone who has Egyptologists in the family, the whole assertion about "Queen Ladetra" as the cousin of Cleopatra and these super secret and hidden writings of Cleopatra VII being found at Queen Ladetra's pyramid rather smacks of a bad Hollywood script; but I can forgive him for this. It's cute - even if it is wrong. :)

The bottom line is that even though 98.9% of this book is made up, and cites writings by a famous woman who never would have written things in this language, nor does it cite its resources and information so the veracity of the information can indeed stand up under scrutiny, it does give a great deal of good self-esteem tips, how to close a sale and present oneself in a professional manner is always a good thing. The advice is sound, the history is more than a little dubious.

"Never expect a miracle unless you plan to participate." - Cleopatra 48 B.C.
Historians may argue if this quote from Cleopatra is fact or fiction - but "Cleopatra's Secrets of Negotiation and Persuasion for Women" is filled with tips, no matter what your goals: sales, marketing, publishing, freelance writing... .

Normally, I shy away from books stating they are written "for courageous, and independent thinking women." But in this case, I forgive the author, James W. Pickens, for his sexist advertising and often patronizing approach, and for disingenuously using only his initials on the original book cover. (An apparent attempt to fool his target audience?)

So I forgive you "J.W.," because even though you may have written this book tongue in cheek, it was fun to read and includes useful information.

For example, I really liked Chapter 9: The "Close" or "The Master Persuader Strikes." Asking for the business or closing the sale is difficult for many men as well as women. "J.W." provides pointers for setting the stage, discussing money, being prepared to ask for the sale, and even reassuring the customer after the sale is made.

Man or woman, whatever you are selling takes negotiation - during face-to-face presentations, in a query letter, or in a business proposal. You may negotiate with editors, authors, reporters, publishers or suppliers of print and paper. That's why "Cleopatra's Secrets..." remains on this ardent feminists bookshelf! (Reviewed by Marion E. Gold, author of "Personal Publicity Planner: A Guide to Marketing YOU," and "Top Cops: Profiles of Women in Command.")