IN PRAISE OF DIFFICULT WOMEN: LIFE LESSONS FROM 29 HEROINES WHO DARED TO BREAK THE RULES (Karen Karbo)

I thoroughly enjoyed Karbo's well-researched profiles of 29 very diverse women, women whose common characteristic was "difficulty," at least in the eyes of men and society in general.  In reality, they were creative, insightful, and larger than life.  Yes, they were oftentimes difficult, but what accomplished person hasn't been labeled as such at some time?  Karbo portrays such ground-breakers as Amy Poehler, Coco Chanel, Amelia Earhart, Hillary Clinton, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Josephine Baker, and Frida Kahlo.  Each of Karbo's subjects has an additional label (not all completely flattering) attached to their personalities, giving the reader some insight into WHY they are "difficult."  Elizabeth Taylor was "notorious," Martha Gellhorn is "brave," and Edie Sedgwick was "decadent."  Through we learn interesting tidbits about each woman.  Hillary Clinton, who is viewed as too ambitious and somewhat masculine, makes people feel intelligent and is very kind. Nora Ephron made no announcements when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer and worked until a few days before her death.  Laverne Cox welcomes her detractors with grace and dignity.  Shonda Rimes, one of television's most successful writers and producers, notes that it wasn't until she lost 150 pounds that people found her "valuable" and worth looking at.

I think that my favorite was Kay Thompson.  I remember as a child sneaking up the stairs to the adult library so I could read Thompson's wonderful Eloise books.  I had no idea, until I read this book, that Thompson was a gifted and prolific song and dance coach and music arranger who coached some of the biggest stars of the 20th century and basically created the Hollywood musical.  She also had an incredible ego driven in part by insecurity about her looks and her short stature. She was a manipulative schemer with a taste for amphetamines and she had a long-term affair with singer Andy Williams, who was 18 years her junior.  In short, she was fascinating.

I really feel that I gained a lot of insight into what defines a "difficult" women and how societal norms and the media color our view of who someone really is at their heart.  Karbo has done an excellent job of making there 29 women real and human people.  Highly recommended!