Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives

Another stupid thing a woman could do to further mess up her life would be to read this book or any book ever written by this "author".

Yeah, there's common sense advice that might prove helpful to some women who're prone to making the same repeated mistakes in, say, picking mates, but "Dr." Laura's diatribe deliveries (if you thought her radio show sounded glib and grating, try reading one of her books!) and her just general overarching conservative condescencion permeating every sentence that drips with arrogant goop like some incurable Republican plague, really makes for a sucky and annoying read. Her know-it-all schtick and pompous demeanor - her icky bitchyness - may work fine for her radio cult, but not for thoughtful or non-knee show more jerk, intelligently crafted and complex writing. If I want black-and-white I'll go to an antique store and buy me one.

She's right, she writes she knows she's right, and writes that if you don't believe she's right, then you're obviously, automatically and incontrovertibly wrong. Right? Something like that.

And why is she all smiles on the cover when she's all fangs in the book? Because she thinks you're stupid at least ten times over, that's why. So when you see this book at the garage sale for a quarter (an overpriced rip off if there ever was one), be smart and ignore "Dr." Laura and purchase that trusty used toaster instead. show less

While browsing the "free" bin at the Friends of the Library bookstore, I came across this book by Laura Schlessinger. "Wow," I thought, "I haven't heard this name for a while." During the early 80s, I was starting grad school at UCLA, and Schlessinger's face, and especially her voice, was everywhere. I had never read anything by her, and had only heard snippets of her radio show, which I, as a young, enlightened woman (or so I thought), disdained. She seemed strident, out of date in her views of raising children and abortion, and generally, seemed to dislike women. The kind of person who listened to her was associated, in my mind, with the assistant secretary of our department (The Slavic Languages and Literature dept.). This was an odd show more woman, of undetermined age, but probably about 60, slightly gnomish with a very round head, roundish body, which made her seem shorter than she probably really was, and though generally quiet, would suddenly contribute strange non sequiturs in the middle of other people's conversations. No one ever asked her for any information in the department because she never seemed to know anything, and the actual secretary couldn't depend on her to even do xeroxing correctly. Nevertheless, she had been there for years. I would run into her every once in a while in the upstairs bathroom of Kinsey Hall. This was my preferred bathroom. It was usually empty and quite spacious with very tall ceilings, Kinsey Hall being one of the original buildings at UCLA. It was dark, cool, and quiet, and it was so spacious a bathroom that there was a large backless sofa/daybed against one wall. The assistant secretary choose this bathroom to eat her lunch in, while sitting on the daybed, her legs sticking straight out, listening to Laura Schlessinger on her small radio. I don't know if it was the idea of her eating in the bathroom, or listening to Schlessinger's talk show, that disgusted me more.
So now, thirty (!) years later, I am looking at this book and laughing to myself, when suddenly I think, "Hey, what is this book actually about? It's free, I might as well take it." I admit I was embarrassed to be seen reading it. I'd only read it while on the treadmill, so that no one would see what I was reading. And you know what? I find it to be ... not so stupid. On the face of it, it is about relationships, and how many women settle for relationships that are not worthy of them, but the real message is that the most important thing a women should do is find out who she is and what she wants so that she can be a whole human being. Sounds kind of like common sense, doesn't it? And yet, looking back, I realize this is something I never really did for myself during college or grad school. If I had, I might have made different choices about what I want to study, where I want to live, what I want to do with my life. I was always looking for approval from my parents, my teachers, my boyfriends. I never sat down and figured out what it was that I truly wanted which is a real shame. When the time comes I will suggest my daughter reads this book before she starts college. show less

She's right. . . on almost all counts. Thank goodness (according to her) my problems are minimal. However- I went a little crazy that she was so free with her negative comments. Sure- women need to see how it is AND THEN they need to know how they can change. People might respond differently if she told them how wonderful they are and how they are living beneath their deserved lifestyle. Just a couple thoughts. . .

This book, given to me by a concerned employer, helped me get out of a bad relationship. Dr. Laura gives outstanding advice to women. It's hard to read because it makes you feel like crap, but it's pretty useful stuff. If you have christian morals, have a history of bad choices and relationships, and desire to be married some day, this book's for you.

Although she helped me stop "messing up my life," I no longer agree with much of what Dr. Laura has to say. I have very different values and goals in my life.

I was given this right after my parents divorced by well meaning relatives of my father. It's a bit condescending. From what I remember there were some things that were useful in this book and some things that were just outright insulting. I've mostly used this book on my bookshelf to protect the covers of my other books from some of the rough edges on my shelf. It was time for it to go. I don't think the used bookstore gave me anything for it with the other books..or maybe it was a quarter. Who knows.

I have to admit here that I like to read self-help books if they come my way. I found this one on the For Sale shelf at my local public library and thought it might be a good preventative book to read. I wish I could say that I hadn't done any of the 10 things, but I had. Oh well....

Ten? In my experience, it should read The Top Thousand Things Women Do To Mess Up Their Lives.

A great book for women.

-Dick, http://www.mabtw.com