The Power of No: How to Keep Blowhards and Bozos at Bay [Hardcover]

Beth Wareham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 21, 2009

The terrible yes years. You know them well: You're suckered into working late and often, unflattering haircuts and poodle perms, back-fat-exposing blouses, too small jeans, treacherous friendships, and dudes who kiss like a Saint Bernard…all because you couldn't use that one little word…that one little word with so much power…N-O.

Unlike "please respect my boundaries," N-O has teeth. It says jump back! Stand down! Mess-with-me-at-your-peril! It can be delivered like a whisper or spat out like a curse. N-O is perfect for every relationship, from cubicle to corner office, backyard to bedroom, dry cleaner to grocery store. Worn on your hip and drawn in one smooth action, NO lets you say, "I don't have time for this nonsense. I am making a great life here."

The perfect book for anyone who has ever been passed over for a promotion, dated jerks, married a disaster, suffered too many fools, or just needed more time alone, The Power of No will teach you how to manage what you don't want and get what you do.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With the strident but wise voice of a long-time New Yorker who not only says "No," but relishes it, Wareham shares secrets to standing up for oneself in this brief, amusing self-help. Wareham documents the usefulness of "No" in a number of scenarios, including relationships and dating, work, family life and marriage, and specific cases within those settings; often, she reminds readers that "getting what you want often depends on your willingness to go without it." Wareham solves the common office drone complaint that the Blackberry has become "a portal to woe": "just turn it off at night and for most of the weekend." She's also got handy, straightforward "no" phrases for neglectful or vague contractors, including, "If you don't return tomorrow, I'll sue you." Wareham treats her mission very seriously-"Saying no is about fighting for your life... about generating respect and putting value on yourself"-which should prove inspiring, as well as practical, for those with a weak spine.
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Review

"This book is a must-read for any woman who has ever agreed to work too late, do too big of a favor, or overlook one slight too many in the name of ‘love.’ If I had read this book earlier, I could have saved myself a lot of heartache and many of the ‘Slips’ that are now synonymous with my name." —Sherri Shepherd, cohost of The View and author of Permission Slips: EveryWoman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break

"If I'd understood the power of NO earlier in life, I would have avoided cheerleading tryouts, white go-go boots, several thousand miles of Ben and Jerry’s Rocky Road, at least one husband, and karaoke last night at the Hedge Fund Pub. No is the new yes." —Molly O'Neill, author of Mostly True: A Memoir of Family, Food, and Baseball

"Beth Wareham has written a laugh-out-loud pistol-packing book. After reading it, you have no choice but to say yes, yes, a million times yes to saying no, especially after hearing about the naked brother." —Geneen Roth, author of When You Eat at the Refrigerator, Pull Up a Chair and When Food Is Love

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; First Edition edition (July 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594866503
• ISBN-13: 978-1594866500
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #345,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NO is Not a Four-Letter Word, August 24, 2009

By 

Fruit Loop (Down South) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Power of No: How to Keep Blowhards and Bozos at Bay (Hardcover)

Thank GOD for this book. It's for every woman who, like myself, were programmed with the absurd notion that it's "rude" and "ugly" to say no to something, and that you're a bad person if you do.

NO IS NOT A DIRTY WORD.

This book is a text for embracing NO. Never again let yourself be guilted into going out for a date with that troll guy, bullied by a boyfriend who just won't let you break up with him, railroaded into working the school's fundraiser, whatever the Ick Of The Day is that you don't want to do.

Embrace and nurture your inner NO, and regain your power. Every woman needs to read this book, and give it to their daughter. In fact - it's good for guys, too. FIVE STARS.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hard Word for Women to Say!, July 24, 2010

By 

Marysz "Marysz" (NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Power of No: How to Keep Blowhards and Bozos at Bay (Hardcover)

Beth Wareham's "The Power of No" is a funny to-the-point self-help book that encourages women to recognize that saying "no" to boyfriends, husbands, employers (very tactfully) and even our best friends is the best way to create space for ourselves and lead happier and more productive lives. I liked the way Wareham also broadened her message to include "no" as a prelude to political action and social change. And, as a mom, I especially appreciated the section about saying "no" while dating. That section of the book could be reformatted and turned into a separate book marketed to tweens and teenagers. They would really appreciate Wareham's great sense of humor and it's an excellent way to get across a message about setting boundaries that girls really need to hear. The book could even be done in a graphic-novel or comic book format. The cover art of the book is already tending in that direction. Highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I say YES to NO!!!, April 23, 2010

By 

Lisa Mary Routhier (Naugatuck, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Power of No: How to Keep Blowhards and Bozos at Bay (Hardcover)

Beth, thank you for articulating the brilliance of NO in your witty and very TRUE book! Your book is honest and funny. I laughed so hard that I woke up my children! This book is great and not the least bit offensive (unless you are a spineless yes person and I am that woman no longer!!!). If you are ever in town, I'd love to treat you to a couple appletinis and pick your brain. But feel free to say NO :)