Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman [Paperback]

Queen Latifah (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 26, 2000

Queen Latifah is a sensation.

At nineteen, she was the first female solo rapper to have a major record deal. Four years later she had become a top television actress and movie star. She earned a Grammy, started a record label, and became the president of her own company. Today she is rap music's most enduring female force.

But how did Dana Owens, a young girl from Newark, New Jersey, become Queen Latifah and make it to the top of the charts? The most powerful voice in rap has always been quiet about her life.

Until now.

At once autobiographical and inspirational, Ladies First is the story of a young woman, making tough decisions and terrible mistakes -- about sex and drugs and about who was real and who wasn't -- before she was old enough to drive. It is about the reign of depression that descended on her after her brother's tragic death and how she found a sustaining love in God when it seemed the world was trying to break her. Ladies First is about being confident and sensual in a big, strong body and about blocking out the junk to let in the good. It is about how anyone -- whether from the poorest means or the richest -- can hold her head high in a world full of attitude.

In a queen's universe, each experience is a lesson. Keeping it real and making no excuses, Queen Latifah shares her truth about what's important in life. Full of wisdom and revelations, Ladies First will instill in you the same self-esteem, respect, and courage that brought Queen Latifah peace and her independent edge. Allow her to guide you to discover who you are -- inside and out-as you discover who she is.

Ladies First is one woman's journey to find the riches that were in her life all along, and it is a message of majesty for everyone.With Ladies First, the queen who lives within all of us will rise.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"I am not a psychologist or a sociologist," Queen Latifah points out. "I don't have any degrees, and I'm not an expert on life. What I am is a young black woman from the inner city who is making it, despite the odds, despite the obstacles I've had to face in the lifetimes that have come my way." In Ladies First, she talks about the importance of women making the move to be strong and self-reliant, using her own rise to stardom as a rapper and actress as an example. The drive and ambition have been with her since childhood: when she was very young and boys would ridicule her for wanting to play basketball with them, she retorted, "I'm not a tomboy--I'm just an athlete." Later, as a teenager, she would sneak out at night and go with friends to New York City to explore the emerging hip-hop scene, eventually cutting her first single in 1987. She talks about the choices she's made about drugs and sex and how she's learned as much from her mistakes as from her successes. And she addresses, glancingly, the rumors about her sexuality that have dogged her for years, and why she'd rather just ignore them: "I want people to see me as someone who is proud and comfortable with who I am.... Be secure in yourself. You don't need me--or any other public person, for that matter--to validate you." That basic principle, applied to all aspects of life, is the core of Ladies First. --Ron Hogan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Queen Latifah is perhaps rap's most recognizable female artist, having parlayed a successful music career into several high-profile film and television roles. Part of her appeal stems from her relatively unique image, one that eschews spandex and innuendo for a tougher, earthier confidence. Less an autobiography than a motivational tract, this book attempts to impart the philosophy behind Latifah's image and, in so doing, "let every woman know that she, too... is royalty." She does this by basing the narrative loosely around some of the major events in her life: her parents' divorce, her experiences growing up in inner-city Newark, her initial forays into the rap scene and her brother's death in a motorcycle accident at the age of 24. Also included are Latifah's views on drug use, God, romance and sex. Her personal recollections, while frank and heartfelt, serve mainly as touchstones for aphoristic observations on self-esteem and faith; the text is peppered with assertions such as "It's harder to feel bad with your head held high" and "The key is not to rule others but to reign over yourself." While the goal here is inspiration rather than revelation, fans may feel cheated by what's left out. No insights are offered regarding Latifah's music career, creative process or her decision to move into acting; her star-making lead role on the television series Living Single is covered in half a sentence. Ultimately, however, Latifah's positive "be yourself" attitude is infectious, and readers are bound to come away from this book wanting?at least a little bit?to be like Latifah.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (January 26, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068817583X
• ISBN-13: 978-0688175832
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #820,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, I Am A Queen, July 18, 2003

By 

A. Stevens "Instrument of Praise" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman (Hardcover)

I purchased this book initially to get to know more about Dana Owens but instead I learned more about myself. I took my time reading the book because after every chapter or so I had to stop and check myself. I felt as though Queen Latifah was seated in front of me and reading pages from my life. My life does not come close to hers but yet I felt as though it did. I agree that every now and then as women we must stop and do our own personal inventory. Am I who I want to be and is God pleased with who I am?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Revelations" is a portrait of a courageous woman., September 20, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Richmond, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman (Hardcover)

This book demonstrates how Queen Latifah achieved her dreams against the odds by using her God given abilities. She shows the reader how strong will and good judgement at an early age, made her the symbol of perserverence and strength she is today. Through her journey of living, Queen Latifah vividly takes the reader with her..through the good and not so good times. There are many references throughout the book that serve as inspiration for ALL women, especially the "body awareness" revelations. This is a must read book for character and self esteem building. I would recommend this book to ALL women.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Queen Latifah 's autobiography is excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, September 12, 2005

By 

Maxine E. Murray "TeeTee" (Indianapolis, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman (Hardcover)

I have Queen Latifah's autography and I LOVE IT and I know almost everything about Queen Latifah that there is to possibly know. Just in case you all don't know her real name is Dana Elaine Owens.Queen Latifah's career has blossomed a whole lot. She has had her own synicated talk show and she also had an acting career and she has starred in movies such as:Brown Sugar, Beauty Shop, Bringing Down The House,Barbershop 2:Back In Business, Set it off just to name a few. I'm a huge fan Of Queen Latifah because she has had to endure the terrible pain of her brother which I think is horrible and sad. But inspite of all of the things that has happened to her in her young life she still strong as she has ever been before. Queen Latifah is also the President of own company Flavor Unit Inc.

Your #1 fan,
Tiffany Miller