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5.0 out of 5 stars
A true representation, July 6 2004
This book is a true representation of Southern women of the past, present, and future. The lessons in this book are re-enforced through delightful as well as painful stories about life. I have always appreciated the positive AND strong spirit that Southern women are taught to have. This book is an explanation to all those who weren't born in the South of why Southerners hold fast to their roots and traditions. I felt that Ms. Rich was sincere and enlightening in her guidance on how and why Southern women are so captivating. I love the comparing of Southern women to the strong, thriving kudzu of the South. This book was not only entertaining but inspirational as well.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Perfect!!!, July 2 2004
I signed on to buy a few more copies for gifts and just had to write a few words about the book that has become my absolute favorite. I know I have bought at least two dozen copies of What Southern Women Know as gifts for both my southern friends and four or five of my Yankee friends. They all think this book is absolutely adorable, funny and a warm invitation to a way of life that is gracious, thoughtful and kind. Readers with a harsh or bitter look at life will not like this book. Trust me. Don't even consider buying it, if you're cynical and always looking "for a gimmick." It's too uplifting, positive and funny (often in a tongue-in-cheek manner). My first copy is dog-earred and marked in highlighter with passages that have seen me through some rough times. You don't have to be southern to adore this book but you do have to be a feminine, frilly kind of woman who loves family, nesting and/or creating a career. If you finish the book and have learned one piece of advice that puts a upswing on things, you're in good shape. But if you're willing to learn and are open-minded, my guess is that you'll walk away with several wisdoms that will be unforgettable. I buy this book for young women graduating from college, setting out into the business world or getting married. It's the perfect catch-all book. I not only recommend it highly, I have put my money where my review is, having bought at least two dozen copies. I like to enclose a piece of lingerie, china or perfume along with the book. Ronda Rich speaks the gospel in this book and I, for one, am a devotee of the words she writes.
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2.0 out of 5 stars
Very disappointing, Jun 30 2004
As a dyed-in-the-wool Yankee, I've always been fascinated by Southern women, with their charm, conversational ability and (usually) great style sense, and wish I could learn some of their secrets. Yet at the same time, I don't entirely trust them to be sincere. Anyway, I thought for sure this book would be full of hints and tricks I could use, but it wasn't. A lot of what Ronda Rich says is plain ol' common sense that even we crude Yankee girls know (like, don't be a (...) to your co-workers -- duh) -- and the rest of it is all nauseating, honey-dripping insincerity. If there were a little more humor and self-deprecation in the book, it might be a fun read, but she comes across as SO smug and so "Our way is the ONLY way to do everything, and we have all the answers." (...) As some other reviewers said, I had no desire to keep this or to pass it on to anyone else!
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