Customer Reviews

Cult of Power: Sex Discrimination in Corporate America and What Can Be Done About It

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I am a class representative in the gender discrimination class action that was filed against Merrill Lynch in 1997 and am well aware of that "cult of power." As the only class representative who was still employed at the time of filing, I found out quite readily and very painfully how obstinate the corporate culture on Wall Street can be. This book is beautifully written and articulate. From the start it draws you in and very succinctly explains what is happening. It is one of those books that really is hard to put down because of the substance Dr. Burk provides. Not only does she convey the truth about the workplace for women but she offers well thought out suggestions for change. Having spent more than the past decade trying to impart these thoughts to others without the benefit of someone of her position and the research that she illuminates, I am quite grateful that I can now refer people to Dr. Burk's book. If you want to understand why men respond the way they do in corporate America or what types of changes should be made in the workplace to make it better for everyone, this is a must read. Thank you Dr. Burk!

Martha Burk's book is easy to read and enjoyable. She makes a clear case for the reality of sex discrimination in a way that is not difficult to understand. The arguement of the book is straigh foward enough that even people who have never been intrested, or believed, in women's rights can appreciate this book while gaining insights into the realities of women's lives in corporate America from a woman who has been there and lived it. "Cult of Power" will not leave you with the feeling of having been lectured to from the one and only correct point of view.

As a young professional activist who came to Washington, D.C. straight out of college, I appreciated this book for several reasons. First, it enhanced my understanding of the complexity of sex discrimination in corporate America. Beyond mere concepts, it gave lucid examples of how to convincingly articulate messages and more effectively advocate on these crucial issues. Finally, the book gave me hope and encouragement by surveying the rising tide of public consciousness and progress achieved - and to be advanced if we keep pushing - toward an end to gender discrimination in our national economy. Because our economy is so intricately linked globally, if we campaign strongly at home, we can change the world for the better.

I picked this book up out of curiosity. This book far exceeds the fact that Augusta has a "Men-Only" membership policy. This book is very eye opening in large amount of sexual discrimination that is in the corporate world. Martha Burk does extensive research to back up her claims that we still live in a world that accepts and condones discrimination.
It wasn't until the 1990's that the racial barrier was removed from golf with the Shoal Creek Country Club, which was a white only club. When they were due to host the Masters and it became public that it was a white only club, Shoal Creek Country Club then decided to admit others who were not white. Once again that incident happened in 1990.
Burk goes on to discuss general topics of pay differientials, women in levels of business, and a variety of other gender based issues. One topic she really discusses is how exclusionary clubs work in business. For example, if all of the top male leaders are in a say mens only club or organization, they automatically exclude any female leadership of that company when they gather. As we all know much business is done while socializing. If you are limiting your employees in how they can socialize you create barriers.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Another great book on gender differences would be "Women Don't Ask". This book discusses several reasons why women do not make as much money as men do. There are differences between genders and how they are treated in the workplace. Burk does an excellent job of pointing out how exclusionary practices hurt some of the workforce.

I recommend "Cult of Power" for its incisive and insightful analysis. It should be read by everyone interested in the power game, in the business world and out. Burk provides a lucid review of how corporate America has failed women. One favorite technique of looking good but doing nothing is for a company to create in-house women's networks which reinforce rather than resolve women's isolation in the corporate culture. Burk notes that corporate programs "are designed so that employees can talk to one another in affinity groups, dividing them from other groups that could be natural allies in changing company culture..." She continues that "by creating subgroups around self-help, networking, and mentoring with one another, the company is creating an atmosphere and expectation that responsibility for advancing women and minority men depends on employees helping each other, not with those who have the power" to change the status quo.

I also appreciate the fact that Burk is willing to recognize those men who are trying to make a difference. Burk's chapter, "A Few Good Men," features white male corporate executives who showed true leadership in achieving diversity. And for those corporate leaders who just won't get it, help is on the way. Burk makes a constructive suggestion -- a Gender Equity Audit to provide a true evaluation of corporate America's record on diversity. If companies were willing to supply the data for such an evaluation -- or were compelled to in lawsuits -- the "Diversity Dodge" would be a thing of the past.

Martha Burk writes an extraordinary book about an extraordinary event - how a simple written request of an "old school" golf club to "let women in" turned into a national debate -- a debate that exposed the stubborn underbelly of sexism in the world of golf and in the world of corporate executives, who refused to challenge the "men only" rule at Augusta, the site of America's Master's Tournament. Burk tells the story with enormous credibility, humility, and wit, warning us all, that even in 2005, women better have some "fight" left in us and we might let out a hearty "fore" before we claim we have won the equity battle. A great read - go Martha!

Amazing Synopsis of Corporate Hypocrisy

Bravo to Martha! Burk's Cult of Power is right on the money. Sex discrimination in corporate America is alive and well-impacting the lives of working families. Whether its the wage gap, the glass ceiling, or phony family-friendly workplace policies, Burk shows how women are getting shafted in today's corporate climate. These aren't just women's issues-continued discrimination means less money for hardworking families.
This fascinating book is a must read for women and men trying to climb the corporate ladder and for all the good-old boys and the few girls who have made it to the top and forgotton (or never knew) how they got there.