Customer Reviews

Hard Won Wisdom: More than 50 Extraordinary Women Mentor You Find Self Awareness persp Balance

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4 star:		(1)
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At a time when I've been wondering what really matters in life, here comes a book filled with advice from legendary women who really know. I loved reading what Jane Goodall, Cokie Roberts, Frances McDormand and all of those other incredible women had to say. This book convinced me to do what matters most to me -- not to everybody else -- and it literally walked me through the process of change so it won't be so daunting. It made me feel anything is possible, and hit on all of my "hot" issues, including my fear of risk, failure and obstacles. More than anything, Hard Won Wisdom showed me how to feel good about who I am. I'm buying it for all of my friends for Christmas because this is absolutely the best book I've read in a long, long time.

If I'd only known ten years ago what these women pass on here, I'd have saved myself a decade of stress and anxiety, and probably would have advanced my career much faster than I did. This is not career advice, but rather, life advice that will reshape the way you look at yourself and the world. It made me take a long look at who I am and where I am going, and has inspired me to take the first step toward a long-delayed life change that I just didn't have the guts to go for. I love the writing here. Fawn Germer interviewed so many of our women role models and got them to share their pain and glory so the rest of us would have an easier ride. I have read every word and will get copies for my friends over the holidays because they will LOVE it as much as I do.

A friend gave me a copy of Hard Won Wisdom and I haven't been able to put it down. These past few weeks have been some of the most difficult times in many of our lives, and I've personally considered putting off a business venture that has been three years in the planning. After reading what Carly Fiorina, Cokie Roberts, Helen Thomas and many of the other amazing women in Hard Won Wisdom shared with author Fawn Germer, I'm back on track professionally and personally. I related to so many of these women, both their triumphs and their defeats. As I learned from this gem of a book, we can create a bolder, more enriching life for ourselves. Do yourself a favor and read Hard Won Wisdom!

I was given this book as a gift and wasn't intentionally reading it as a Self Help book. I found that I couldn't put it down, pulled out my high-lighter as I was reading it and started highlighting and starring as I read. Fawn didn't simply interview and tell a story. She wove the lives of these exceptional ecletic women telling of their trials and tribulations, their perserverence, and the outcome of their lives because of the choices they made during adversity as well as good times. The reader could easily identify with each concurring that we are the ones that are responsible for
following our own dreams. The dream may not become a reality but we are stronger and have grown from our efforts. This is a
great gift for friends of all ages as well as a perfect
graduation gift.

Hard Won Wisdom has given me more hope and confidence than I ever imagined I could get from a book. What a phenomenal experience! I feel like I got to know the triumphs and travails of really exceptional women. They are right here for me whenever I get lost in my daily difficulties. They have taught me that I will succeed at anything that I truly care about, and have given me a good lesson in courage. I don't know what changes I will make because of this book, but I know it will help me to alter my life and perspective considerably. I recommend this book highly, and will buy this for my close friends this Christmas. I can't imagine a better gift than hope and strength.

I'm generally skeptical of self-help books, but this one really helps. I've had many moments of self-doubt and frustration, but the advice in this book makes me understand that it's all part of the game. The cross-section of women quoted is powerful and creative. I learned as much from the athletes as the Nobel Peace Prize winners. I cried twice while reading it, and feel like this book is a life-changer. This book is a great gift for any woman you care about.

I am so sick and tired of books written by nobodies telling us that they have discovered the secret to our success. This book is written by a woman who went to all of the "somebodies" of our times. The women here really KNOW the secret to success because they have made it. I loved how author Fawn Germer explored everything from figuring out what matters in life to dealing with trying work situations to juggling family responsibilities with your own needs. This book will touch the heart and soul of every woman who reads it.

When Oprah told how inspiring this book was, I ordered it immediately. Thanks, Oprah. This is the most uplifting, powerful book you've turned me on to.

The author's human touch makes you a part of the experience of learning from such great women leaders. I truly felt like I could do ANYTHING after I read Hard Won Wisdom, and that's a good thing because my company is on the verge of layoffs. Fawn Germer's book reminds you that smart women survive and prevail in the toughest moments. This book changed so much about how I view myself and the possibilities that exist for me. You'll see.

The book opens with the quote that the only thing which separates ordinary women from extraordinary women is the thought that they are ordinary. WOW! This sets the theme for all that follows -- such a simple yet incredibly powerful thought.

I loved this book. It is the first "self-help" book I have ever read cover to cover, and I did so in two days. I read the first 25 pages before leaving the bookstore and just couldn't put it down afterwards. So much of what the author wrote mirrored my own sense of self. The experiences of many of the women interviewed were far from my own, yet the author shows the commonality of the experiences of all women around the world -- and I was inspired by what theses "ordinary" women accomplished by sheer force of will and the belief that they could.

This book is so readable because of the author's sense of humor and perspective -- it was like getting advice from good friends. It addresses the issues that women face from a woman's perspective while also outlining how men see things/are faced with different problems. The author interjects her own experiences and relates them back to those of her interviewees, demonstrating that every woman faces the same kinds of issues in the workplace, with self-esteem, with conflicting priorities.

Although it deals almost exclusively with workplace-related issues, there are life lessons in this book. I have already gone back and re-read parts and will also be buying it for friends.

I very much enjoyed this book (and even paid full price for it!) and recommend it thoroughly.

If there was ever a book that says "you can do it" this is it. The women were real and Fawn seemed to be able to bring out what is real in their lives. Women are women the world over and she shows that success doesn't always come easy but it can come to any and all with determination. Amazing stories and amazing women, the most exciting thing to me was the women are like almost every woman I know. Hope she writes something again soon. This book gave me a lot to think about and compass for my own path.