amBITCHous: (def.) A Woman Who: 1. Makes more money 2. has more power 3. gets the recognition she deserves 4. has the determination to go after her dreams and (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: sanctioned self sabotage, New York, Business Alliance, Ambition Integration (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Condren doesn't mince words: "let's face it, there's just one word that our culture bestows on that supremely ambitious woman who unrepentantly values success in her career: bitch." Reclaiming the word as a virtue, she defines "ambitchous" women as those who make more money, have more power, get the recognition they deserve and have the determination to go after their dreams with integrity. A clinical psychologist and founder of the Women's Business Alliance, Condren shares her story of making career, family and big dreams work, while guiding other women toward embracing their ambitions. Condren grants her readers permission to take their careers seriously and to work toward their dreams rather than work their dreams around their lives. Women should discard the concept of work/life balance in favor of well-warranted imbalance, she argues. Condren advises women on how to be contenders, surround themselves with powerful advice, get paid what they're worth, be responsible to themselves, disable detractors and, finally, to get over the impostor syndrome. Clear suggestions and composite examples of real-life women who have embraced their goals make this an enthusiastic rallying cry. (Dec.)
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Review

Praise for Debra Condren and for amBITCHous

“Dr. Debra Condren is a dedicated advocate for empowering women to break traditional boundaries and achieve personal and professional success.”
—Barbara Boxer, U.S. senator

“Debra Condren nails ways in which professional women—even accomplished ones—sell themselves short. She offers precise, innovative guidelines for how women can turn self-imposed blocks and inhibitions into motivation to outrun inner doubt and win back their worth.”
—Sheldon Siegel, New York Times bestselling author, Special Circumstances and Incriminating Evidence

“This is an inspiring, empowering, and practical book. Give it to your friends, sisters, and daughters.”
—Tanya Styblo Beder, CEO of Citigroup Alternative Investments' multistrategy, proprietary hedge fund, Tribeca Global Management LLC

“Positive in tone, loaded with strategies and solutions, this engaging book charts a compelling, clear, and accessible course for getting comfortable with passion for your work and transforming inner obstacles into success and power.”
—Elizabeth Roberts, first vice president of Wealth Management, Smith Barney

“Dr. Debra Condren has been a guiding light to many women business owners and young women in realizing their potential.”
—Dianne Feinstein, U.S. senator

“Irreverent, ferocious, funny, and wise! Any woman who has ever felt conflicted about feeling passionate about her work should read this book cover to cover.”
—Barbara Corcoran, real estate magnate, author of national bestseller If You Don’t Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons on Your Pigtails --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (December 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767923138
• ISBN-13: 978-0767923132
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #194,131 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #20 in	Books > Business & Investing > Women & Business > Management & Leadership
  #51 in	Books > Business & Investing > Personal Finance > Money Management for Women

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great advice that I plan to incorporate into my life, August 7, 2007

By	Feminist Review blog "various writers" (worldwide) - See all my reviews

After hearing Debra Condren interviewed on a podcast about how women undermine their own ambitions, I couldn't wait to read her book. I related to her thesis. Sometimes, out of fear of looking like I have a huge ego, I don't even try to take on projects that I know I'm capable of. In other words, I need to learn how to be a little more ambitchous.

That word is Condren's way of describing the double standard facing women. As she puts it, "Ambitious men are go-getters, but ambitious women are bitches." She illustrates her point with Madonna and Carly Fiorina. Media stories about both of them tend to focus on their faults instead of their accomplishments. (Perhaps we could add Paris Hilton to that list.)

Through interviews with other women and her work as a business coach, Condren has developed strategies to help women overcome the fear of being ambitious. She bemoans the fact that many advice books suggest that achieving "balance" requires career sacrifices. Nonsense, she says. Putting your career ambitions first makes you a better person, she argues, because you will be a happier one. "You must regard your deepest career aspirations as unconditionally sacrosanct," she writes.

While the pep talk is inspiring, the real value of this book lies in its concrete tips. She recommends asking for the raise you deserve, claiming credit when it's due, asking for advice from women you respect, and taking regular sabbaticals to make sure you are dreaming big. All of it is great advice that I plan to incorporate into my life.

And when I'm done with this book, I can think of more than a few friends I'd like to pass it on to.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Platinum Honors, January 22, 2007

By	Business book reviewer (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Dr. Condren really hit the mark! This book is a must for all women - and men, whether in the corporate world, or wanting to realize their dreams in any arena. It's a great read; clear and crisp, and straight to the point. She shows you how to get past your own obstacles, do what you love, and make no apologies. There are fabulous nuggets of helpful information and inspiring examples. I've recommended it to all my colleagues.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much-needed helpful book, October 27, 2007

By	Creating Ms. Perfect "www.creatingmsperfect.b... (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Ambitchous is Condren's way of describing the double standard facing women. As she puts it, "Ambitious men are go-getters, but ambitious women are bitches."

Through interviews with other women and her work as a business coach, Condren has developed strategies to help women overcome the fear of being ambitious. She bemoans the fact that many advice books suggest that achieving "balance" requires career sacrifices. Nonsense, she says. Putting your career ambitions first makes you a better person, she argues, because you will be a happier one. "You must regard your deepest career aspirations as unconditionally sacrosanct," she writes.

While the pep talk is inspiring, the real value of this book lies in its concrete tips. She recommends asking for the raise you deserve, claiming credit when it's due, asking for advice from women you respect, and taking regular sabbaticals to make sure you are dreaming big. All of it is great advice.