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Pretty Smart: Lessons From Our Miss Americas

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I loved reading this wonderful, wise and witty book. It shattered all my preconceived notions of who the "Miss Americas" are and how they think, feel and act. If you are a mom thinking of entering your child into the pagent world, a teenager wondering if being thought of as attractive must be dictated to you by the curent fashion magazines or simply a person that needs some inspiration, this is the place to go.

Watching the Miss America pageant as a little girl, I remember when many of the young women featured in this book won their crowns. Little did I know until now, however, the years of hard work it took for these women to be awarded those tiaras. Pretty Smart is not just a book about remarkable biographical stories, although that becomes evident to the reader. Rather, it is a book about having a vision, a dream, then creating a plan to make that vision come to fruition. My favorite quote in the book was by Miss Hawaii who said, "Dreams are goals with deadlines." Every winner of that title had an unshakable belief in herself, often perservering against what seemed to be impossible odds; a sisterhood of iconic women, they share that commonality. In their lessons, they prove that each of us can achieve our dreams if we imagine, work, and believe.

This book is not just for pageant lovers, but for anyone who longs to take that next step, reach for new heights, and achieve their potential. A provocative, in-depth look at how to be a winner in any field, "Pretty Smart" presents 12 overarching lessons that the author took away from her interviews with 22 former Miss Americas. A Wharton School graduate and accomplished business consultant, Pearlman's considerable intelligence and friendly writing style make this an inspiring, engaging read.

This book uses the interesting life-stories of the women who became Miss America to illustrate smart, helpful ideas for achieving your best life. It's fun to read with many surprises about the life of a beauty queen.

Like Roger Kahn's "Boys of Summer," Penny Pearlman's "Pretty Smart" belongs to that important genre that takes us behind the one-dimensional image we have of our heros (1950s baseball champs and Miss Americas) to reveal the real and imperfect but inspiring people we have idolized. In these books, familiarity does not breed contempt. Rather, we learn of the struggle behind those apparently effortless performances on the great American stage, and the effort to carve out meaningful lives in the aftermath of celebrity. These authors have the skill to take our American heros and sweethearts, and to reveal something even more inspiring in the fully fleshed out human being. Although honest to the core, these books are not your plebian tear-down biographies in search of the widest and most venal audience. They leave our iconic images essentially in place while revealing life lessons for the reader. Welcome to this important genre, Penny Pearlman. I hope we hear more from you.

I absolutely loved this book! It is a "must read" for young ladies and pageant contestants! This book includes several different perspectives from 22 Miss America's all over the world! I started reading this book in hopes that it could help me
in my competing. This book changed my own thought process in different ways. If you read this book, you will realize that pageant girls aren't "Toddler and Tiaras" but are fully educated young women with a big dream and heart! My favorite part of the book has really changed my opinions and perspective on goals, careers, and competing in pageants-"The formula for Winners." This formula is: Discipline+Persistence+ Consistency=Winner/Achievement. I was fortunate enough to meet with the author herself (Penny Pearlman) to find out more about the book and her opinions on pageants. She is a terrific person who is extremely inspirational. I hope that you buy the book and end up loving it-just like I did!

Thanks so much
Sincerely
Miss NJ Jr Sweetheart

This book is a treasure chest overflowing with gems of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration for all of us. The author shares stories of the struggles and challenges faced by former Miss Americas, and tells of the lessons we can learn from them about what it took to succeed in that pageant. Surprisingly, it turns out that the Miss America contest is not all about looking good in a bathing suit. Success in this contest requires the same characteristics and qualities needed by any woman - or man - who wants to make a dream come true.

Ms Pearlman presents these lessons for success within a framework that demonstrates her own insightful perceptions about personal growth and achievement. She gives us advice on having a vision, on making choices, and on developing behaviors to reach our goal -- all while bringing the ideas alive on the page with experiences and quotes from former Miss Americas. The result is a wealth of strategies for success that any of us can use, whether it is for losing weight, starting our own business, or conquering that final obstacle that stands in our way.

Pretty Smart is an entertaining -- and helpful -- book. I highly recommend it.

Because Penny was such an inspiring speaker, I bought her book, Pretty Smart. I thought it would be a compilation of bios of the former Miss Americas, but it was much more than that. You assume these women had it easy, as they were blessed with good looks. But you find out that many faced obstacles (like deafness, diabetes and incest) that would have seemed insurmountable to someone with less drive and determination. This book motivated me to reach for my dreams, as these women have done, and don't let anyone place limits on what you can achieve. Believe in yourself and anything is possible!

Pretty Smart: Lessons From Our Miss Americas]]
After reading this book, I'll never be quite the same when watching another beauty pageant. I grew up watching the pageants, having memorable sleepovers selecting our favorites to win. Pretty Smart has changed my whole attitude and puts the focus where it belongs -- on how smart, creative, persistent and determined successful women need to be and have been throughout history. Great book! Get it, read it, give it to your girlfriends.