The Courage to Achieve: Why America's Brightest Women Struggle To Fulfill Their Promise [Hardcover]

Betty A. Walker (Author), Marilyn Mehr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1992

A study of women, education, and achievement reveals that academically gifted women frequently program themselves for underachievement and offers a positive strategy for fulfilling one's potential. 35,000 first printing. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Today, as in the past, intellectually gifted women are not able to realize their potential, Southern California psychologists Walker and Mehr contend here, citing the lives and testimony of 15 graduates--from the class of 1910 through those of the 1980s--of Manhattan's academically select Hunter College High School. The post-graduation histories of women who on admission to Hunter High tested in the top 2% of the population reveal several anomalies. Many of the women describe early and continued discomfort "with the idea that they were smart." Even those who have acknowledged their own intellectual giftedness and achieved prominence in their fields recall feeling alienated from family and friends as well as unprepared for the "real" world after graduation. Across the decades, these women raise refrains about the "tyranny of perfection," the pressure to please others and the need for mentors. The book also offers a program encouraging women to reflect, make choices and take action.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; 1ST edition (October 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671736426
• ISBN-13: 978-0671736422
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #755,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've achieved , and this book damn sure helped, November 7, 2003

By 

Sara M. Norvell (Granger, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Courage to Achieve: Why America's Brightest Women Struggle To Fulfill Their Promise (Hardcover)

I have a unique story in regards to this book. I read it about eight years ago and at that time found it informative and made it part of my personal library. A few years later in my early thirties, I decided to pursue medical school as an older, african american student who was also a single parent. Growing up I knew and several others knew that I was bright however, lack of confidence was what prevented me from continuing to pursue this as a career option. Coming full circle later in life when I worked, went to school, raising a child was quite challenging. Many times I picked up this book and read areas that I had highlighted before to remind myself that this was a possible reality for me despite numerous obstacles and lots of negative people. I am in my last year of medical school at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and am pursuing an anesthesiology residency with interviews at Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt University , University of Chicago and numerous others. My son is a great adult now and is on his own life's road and I am quite proud of him. This book served a major purpose in providing me with lots of potentially inspirational stories of accomplished women .My only other wish is that the authors of this book could read this review and to let them know what an essential role this played in someone's life. Thanks

1 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The St. Louiss Review, June 8, 2000

By 

donnell warren II (nnorfolk,virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Courage to Achieve: Why America's Brightest Women Struggle To Fulfill Their Promise (Hardcover)

i feel this book tells how women struggle. some of them dont follow through on what they plan to do. so,most of thier plans will fall to the side and they will concentrate on something else. also,it could be from a lack of self confidence. A woman might feel that she wont be able to achieve things her male counterpart will receive.