Pretty Powerful: Appearance, Substance, and Success

by Eboni K. Williams

Fox News political commentator and legal analyst Eboni Willams believes that women shouldn't hide their beauty--instead they should embrace it as a positive and powerful attribute.

Williams believes that women have been sold the lie that being "pretty" comes at the expense of being taken seriously. If a woman is physically attractive, often there is a presumption that she lacks the substance and smarts necessary to provide leadership in business and other endeavors. This narrative implies that being "pretty" and being capable were mutually exclusive. In PRETTY POWERFUL, Eboni Williams rejects that narrative. She says that to accept that false notion is to leave an incredibly powerful tool on the table. The knee-jerk reaction for most women is to feel shamed by this potential advantage-but Williams says it's okay for women to take full advantage of the most immediate and obvious attribute at their disposal. Embrace your beauty!

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook

320 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2016

Reviews

[A. Rad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives any female the tools as to how you successfully present yourself in this world. Whether for a job interview, or once you've landed the job, the author gives you real life scenarios and occasions that will help you decide what is appropriate to wear and when to wear it. The book offers good interviews with pretty powerful women in various industries, whilst giving you a summation (she is a lawyer after all) of the interviews in each chapter. There were times that I thought the "summations" were a bit redundant but overall, a good read with useful information.

[Alexandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got about 70% though despite the vague conservatism. I couldn't finish after she let a paragraph be about how there are def women out there sleeping their way to the top and you can tell by the way they dress.

having had heard that talk about me from other women I'd always been kind to just because of my preferred dress and it being patently untrue I just don't appreciate that kind of bullshit.

this book was difficult to read - no substance combined with that weird cattiness. it could have and should have been a better book.

[Aryssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and to the point, Williams talks about how to blend your appearance with your substance to make yourself successful. She doesn't shy way from talking about sex appeal (when to use it and when not to,) sexual harassment, workplace biases, and her background growing up with a single mother. She gets some great insight from famous women like Monica Crowley, a former Miss America, and Marcia Clark.

[Liz Sergent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads for a copy of this book for an honest review. Before I read this book I didn't know anything about Eboni Williams, now I am going to check her out on Fox channel. I loved this book, I am going to have my daughter read it. Ms. Williams makes a strong point about how you present yourself is a reflection of who you are.

[Edie Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting and would be of benefit to someone just starting out in radio and TV. I would have liked for FOX News to give Eboni some air time after the show with Eric Bolling was cancelled. She is very articulate and was a very good addition to the show.

[Shelby Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one. I listened to the audio book & Eboni Williams is very inspirational. 👍🏻

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

EBONI K. WILLIAMS, ESQUIRE IS A BEAUTIFULLY BRILLIANT BLACK WOMAN!!!

This is a must read for ALL women, young and old!!!

I’m enjoying this book and have already learned some things myself.

[dani. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read overall. I did like her points about appearance and how it plays a role in success—those parts definitely resonated with me. It wasn’t a standout book for me personally, but it had some good reflections worth thinking about. 👠📚

[Jolie Radunich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Williams explore the various superficial issues she and other prominent women have dealt with, from microaggressions related to their appearance to sexual harassment encounters. Those interviewed were primarily career women from the law and politics realms. I wish the chapters were shorter so that Williams could include even more insights.

[Cellie Apineru · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. My husband laughed at me when I bought this book and now I know why.