Huddle: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power

by Brooke Baldwin

Wall Street Journal Bestseller CNN news anchor Brooke Baldwin explores the phenomenon of “huddling,” when women lean on one another—in politics, Hollywood, activism, the arts, sports, and everyday friendships—to provide each other support, empowerment, inspiration, and the strength to solve problems or enact meaningful change. Whether they are facing adversity (like workplace inequity or a global pandemic) or organizing to make the world a better place, women are a highly potent resource for one another.
Through a mix of journalism and personal narrative, Baldwin takes readers beyond the big headline-making huddles from recent years (such as the Women’s March, #MeToo, Times Up, and the record number of women running for public office) and embeds herself in groups of women of all ages, races, religions and socio-economic backgrounds who are banding together in America.  HUDDLE  explores several stories including: Throughout her examination of this fascinating huddle phenomenon, Baldwin learns about the periods of huddle ‘droughts” in America, as well as the ways that Black women have been huddling for centuries. She also uncovers how huddling can be the “secret sauce” that makes many things possible for women: success in the workplace, effective grassroots change, confidence in girlhood, and a better physical and mental health profile in adulthood. Along the way, Baldwin takes readers through her own personal journey of growing up in the South and climbing the ladder of a male-dominated industry. Like so many women in her field, she encountered many sharp elbows on her career path, but became an early believer in adding more seats to the table and huddling with other women for strength and solidarity. In the process of writing HUDDLE, Baldwin learns that this seemingly new phenomenon is actually something women have been doing for generations—a quiet, collective power she learns to unlock in her transformation from journalist to champion for women. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Business, Memoir, Self Help, Professional Development, Audiobook

304 pages, Hardcover

Published April 6, 2021

Reviews

[everything is words - Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I loved the premise of this book, I wasn’t a fan of the political conversation. I did learn a lot though and completely agree with the importance of women “huddling” together with each other for a common cause. I “read” this as an audiobook, so I will be borrowing this book from the library as well to utilize it to build upon thoughts and take better action to join with other women to harness our collective power.

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific book. It gave me a new vocabulary for a phenomenon which allowed me to think about when I have or have not had / created huddles in my life. The stories and interviews were excellent. Brooke Baldwin's intersectional lens make this book relevant to all women. And I appreciated the author's candor about her personal life experience. Highly recommend!!

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women should stick together and this book not only tells us how, but why.

I’d never heard of sticking together being labeled a huddle, but I like it. The author writes about how women, especially, should stick together. We’re our best champions when we start working together and get out of each other’s way while bolstering us all. The writing was like reading the words of a friend. It flowed well and read rather quickly. There are examples of different huddles and different groups working together to build each other up. I loved the team quality.

Some might not like the way the author talks about her personal journey through the second half of this book, but I liked it. I liked seeing how she made her dreams come true and kept going beyond. It was wonderful to read about another woman making good. The author speaks from the heart and like friend to friend. Everyone should make their own huddle with positivity and work to bolster each other, just like this book gives as a map.

I highly suggest this book and can’t recommend it enough.

[Julia Manchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brooke beautifully explains the importance of female friendship and collaboration through interviews with women of all stripes. 100% recommend

[Erika Monaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this, and although I loved having Her voice in my ear, I think I would rather have had a hard copy…to scribble in, underline, and stick post it notes all over. Lots of good things here. Certainly made me take stock of all of my huddles and the importance that they have in my life.

[Carol Gallivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book. Although sometimes it seems like a lot of information. But it’s about friendship and huddles and women helping women. You go Brooke.

[Mary Magin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a thoughtful collection of stories of women who have “huddled” together for a cause and accomplished amazing things. Author introduces us to the back stories of women we think we know and new friends.

This is a great primer for building huddles and finding huddles/groups that already exist. One lesson, of many, is (in my words) Don’t worry about the big splash. Clearly and specifically identify your stand and move forward. Your huddle will appear. Humble beginnings make for strong and stable movements.

[Avid · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is difficult for me to do as I love listening to Brooke and remember the night I heard her and Don Lemon discussing their soon to be released books with a small idea of what they were about. I quickly wrote down the name of the books and eagerly awaited their release dates.

I do feel the topic Brooke focused on in her book is vitally important, the presentation (perhaps because it was an audible read by her) however, left me struggling to get to the finish line. (It wasn't because I enjoyed it, it was because I have an issue of not completing what I start and it is tough to give a review without having a complete view.)

I struggled with her position in the story. I wish she would have either written a book, been a journalist and reported the events of others and not her own accounts, or her stories. By mixing all of it together it was very wordy, sounded a bit of a one-up man's life to me (braggart), and jumbled.

I am not sure if my review would be as negative if I had read a hard copy but my gut still tells me yes. Regardless, I am glad I did push through and finish the book. I'm not sure I would recommend it. It is not cheap and not for everyone. The topic though is very real and one that does need to be discussed more broadly. Perhaps in a bit less intimidating way. (IMHO)

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually speed through books but I’m glad I ended up sitting with this one for a full month. It was not intentional but it allowed me to better develop my thoughts around this book and think more deeply about the various topics it touched upon. As a girl who considered herself one of the boys for most of college and didn’t actively seek out female friends for the first two years, reading this made me realize 1) how many huddles I have unintentionally cultivated over the years and leaned into recently in my early post college years (my high school huddle, my brown girl huddle, my work huddle and my college huddle) and 2) how grateful I am for these groups of women whom I can text collectively about my biggest anxieties to my humble brag moments and everything in between. MyThe women who will call me immediately upon hearing of a promotion or pick up the phone and just let me cry on the other end. Endlessly thankful for the seemingly random ways we’ve come together and the myriad ways in which work to we stay together, from group chats and spontaneous facetimes to book clubs and annual reunions.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good reminder about the power of leaning on your female friends and co-workers, and it offers practical tips about how to be purposeful in creating and nurturing your "huddles." Offering her own experience along with experiences from many interesting women she interviewed, Baldwin provides examples of how huddles have led to healthier lives and healthier civic outcomes. An enjoyable read.

[Daykota Freel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read. I love to alternative take on a huddle and what that can mean for women and relying on each other. I enjoyed the stories Brooke included throughout the book to reinforce this concept.

[Allyson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listened to this book on Audible. Read by author. Strong reading performance!! Unfortunately, I found this book to be kind of boring. Some of the stories of the women who huddled were really interesting, but most of them are just ‘meh.’ I also felt that the arc of the book was incredibly weak. Lastly, this book is not really about Brooke Baldwin, not a true memoir which is what I thought it was. Not sure I would recommend.

[Nicole Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came into this book skeptical and remained so through the first half and then it yanked me in and really forced me to self evaluate.

[Cindy Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ladies, find your huddles! Brooke Baldwin's book was part memoir and part hyping the importance of women finding their groups--professionally, personally, emotionally to make a difference. The reader saw Baldwin change her own behavior and goals while researching the topic, talking to a wide variety of women and groups.

We have to make conscious choices--and put in the work--to have our huddles survive, thrive, and help us to grow, overcome, educate, and and effect change where necessary.

I got more out of this book than I expected.

[Heather Baez · Rating 2 out of 5]

It pains me to give this a negative review because I was very enthusiastic about the subject of female "huddling" for collective power, and it had a lot of potential. However, it felt like a giant humble brag from the author. Instead of simply researching various huddles, she inserted herself and her own experiences into the discussion of these huddles. I found the chapter on women in the restaurant industry the most interesting simply because the author wasn't able to find a way to share HER experience here. While Ms. Baldwin acknowledges her extreme privilege, she sure highlights it over and over and over again. To the point where a regular reader simply can't relate. I know she worked hard to get where she is today, but good grief, it felt like her road to success was so much easier than everyone else's. And highlight her own success she did! I would have enjoyed this much more had it been from a more journalistic or research perspective instead of being smothered in the author's own thoughts, feelings, and experiences at nearly every turn.

I listened to the audio version of this which was narrated by the author. If you enjoy her CNN show, or enjoy similar upbeat, chatty news programs, you'll like this. I found it to be a verrrrrry long show on the subject and the host. While the subject is fascinating and I absolutely want to hear more about it, I don't want to hear more about Ms. Baldwin's experience.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is all about how women can support each other better and how that support can help us all do great things. The author talks about “huddling,” when women lean on one another in different ways that can be used in politics, protesting, working, and at home. It doesn't matter if we face hard times as a group (#MeToo) or organizing to make the world a better place (#BLM), or getting together to talk and support each other in our everyday lives.

In the book, the author interviews many women across different industries, ethnicities, backgrounds, but she also shares her own story about having a career and succeeding in a male-dominated industry of media, which I appreciated. She talks about the "big huddles" women create, like marches and protests, but also about the little ones that can help women succeed in the workplace, make real change, and be happier.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/bro...




https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/bro...

[Big Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girlfriend owns this book, and while I was on the phone on a lengthy hold with AT&T, I picked it up and started flipping through the pages. Before I knew it I was deep into a chapter, and AT&T still had me on hold. After I completed my call I continued to read it, and I could not help from thinking us men can benefit from reading a book like this. It is well written and it lends insight into the plight of women and their need for unity. It made me think about my previous female employees and how the corporate structure suppresses women, and in many ways divide them, as well as my role in that. I brought this book up over dinner and for the first time my girlfriend talked more than she ever had. She was very impressed that I read it, and we had a very good night afterwards. I highly recommend this book.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huddle is a valuable book. It reads like a segment in a news broadcast you might see on CNN or NPR. Largely anecdotal, it informs the reader of the author's observations and even many of their personal experiences. It shares numerous stories of women working together for success in a male dominated world. Huddle captures an important current flowing through contemporary American, and even global, society. As Baldwin points out, women didn't invent "the huddle". Almost any repressed group has fought that repression through "huddling". That fact does not, however, diminish the importance of "the huddle" to the women's movement- to #MeToo - and if, through this book, more women do more huddling to overcome bias and discrimination, Ms. Baldwin has contributed to the advancement of society and the human race.

[Natalie Rosander · Rating 4 out of 5]

With an extensive vocabulary and great commentary on the vital purpose of female huddles, Brooke Baldwin shows up and asks her readers to take a look at history and recent events, as well as their own experiences and how they shape the world and society of today. I found this book to be extremely enlightening and entertaining. I learned so much when it comes to our female leaders (mostly non-political) and how important it is to have a female community. This is a book that I will return to time and time again when I need a refresher or a little bit of guidance. I’m so glad that Brooke to the time to write this book as her passion and own huddle experience shines through. May she be an example to all of us and may we all find our huddle.

[Angela Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I found the "huddle" analogy very forced at times. It's almost like Baldwin had a rough draft of her book and some editor somewhere said, "I KNOW," and then inserted the idea of the huddle in wherever she could. Baldwin is without question a seasoned storyteller, one with the privilege of unfettered access to incredible people. Those stories deserve to be told, and I appreciated every one of them. They are, however, let down by the idea of the huddle, which to me as a former sportswriter is a very male-oriented concept. We don't need to shoehorn ourselves into the patriarchy but rather lift ourselves out of it by rejecting their analogies and embracing our own.

[Zina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly can’t believe I kind of liked this book! I went in assuming I would hate it, but I found it a bit energizing! More than cute, but not quite inspiring. It felt like a good reminder to prioritize friendships, particularly the women in my life, and to lean on those people more often. I appreciated the examples she shared, and I even got some ideas for things I want my niece to get involved in.

However, she talked way too much about herself. I didn’t think her relatively privileged life examples added much to the point of the book. Hearing about this wildly expensive workout class she does was not the best use of my time.

[Caren Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Huddling was another book that was in the circling book club that I found on Instagram led by Andrea Bendewald. I probably cried through 3/4 of the book. Brooke Baldwin is such a deeply moving writer. The connections, resilience, and strength found in this book are inspiring. Every human story opens my heart wider. Her prose is elegant, and she captures the essence of unity and solidarity, demonstrating the transformative power of the shared experience of women. This book is not just a book, it's a journey. As I finished the book I emerged stronger, wanting to uplift MY women, MY community. This is a book that will linger on in my soul.

[Kendra Chubbuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this for myself, not for a book club. It's about how women unlock their collective power. It really looks like an interesting read and it's on the NYT best seller list. I certainly like her as an anchor. I really learned a lot from this book. After reading it I know I have been huddling but I didn't realize it. I have 10 dear friends since grammar school that I keep in contact with and with get together at least twice a year for a weekend. We keep in contact by email and messaging and Facebook. We make it a priority to check-in with each other. We all help each other by listening to each other and helping each other when needed. We are always there for each other. I've also been in other huddles that have supported different causes. We didn't call them huddles though more like committees or groups or organizations or non-profits. The committees or groups or even organizations were all volunteer and had specific causes and similar to what the author talks about in the book. I liked most of the examples in the book and the interviews she did. They were quite fascinating, especially about the female judges in Texas, Megan Rapinoe, Hello Sunshine, Stacey Abrams, Gloria Steinem, and Sharon Bright. There were MANY more amazing women in this book.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and found myself shouting "YES!" "EXACTLY!" throughout various portions of the book. Brooke has put a name to the energy I always felt when working with women who were simultaneously promoting and supporting one another- a huddle. I have been privileged to be part of many huddles and appreciate the strength, encouragement and friendship I receive from each one. I just wish I had read this book earlier in my journey to who I am becoming. Thank you Brooke Baldwin for your courageous words of encouragement.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! So much heart and wisdom. I couldn't put it down, read straight through in one afternoon. My generation of professional women dates back to the 70's, before we understood how important it is to support and promote each other. This book has many good examples, based on in-person interviews, of how women can and so support each other

A few cool quotes:

Madeleine Albright: "There's a special place in hell for women who don't help each other."
Megan Rapinoe: "Once you get power, give it away."
Killer Mike: "Make sure you have plenty of friends who don't look like you."

[Rhonda Shymko · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lifelong loner, the idea of a "huddle" with other women would normally make me break out in hives. However, interacting with more people online is helping me look past the "mean girls" and forge bonds with people who are not necessarily like me but who can give me a fresh insight and help me grow. I am slowly forming my own huddle, but I won't be limiting it to just women. Baldwin has some great ideas and she is inspiring, but I won't be excluding the generous and thoughtful men in my circle.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't have very high expectations of this book but i LOVED it! Women can only become stronger by supporting each other and Brooke gave many examples of that and advice on how to find your huddle if you have not yet done that. It was very refreshing and really makes me feel more motivated to take better care of the women in my huddle, to do more, reach more women, include different types of women and to amplify women! I think every women should read this. It was profound for me.

[Letecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the beginning of the book I was annoyed by the term 'huddle'. I got use to it, but still feel there is a bit of a stretch in using the word to make it hip or cool. The research and need for women to create deep and supportive relationships are critical. Baldwin is an inspiration by the way she moves through the world and how she creates supportive networks for women to thrive in. It is well work the time to read.

[Lynn L · Rating 4 out of 5]

full disclosure I listened to this as an audiobook - it is a book that really lend itself to that medium.
I wish I had read this as a young professional, it would have helped me make better decisions. As an older person, it has impressed upon me the importance of intentionality of friendships. I learned about a lot of different topics and how the leadership of women is making an impact. Overall, very enjoyable and thought provoking book.

[Lauren Hahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inclusive, relatable, inspiring. Illustrates the concept of huddles (gathering together with a trusted group of other women to lean on, support, and hear one another) via stories of various huddles she observed and interviewed. It makes me reflect on the huddles I’ve been a part of now and at other points in my life, and the importance of them.