cover image Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny

Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny

Suze Orman, . . Spiegel & Grau, $24.95 (272pp) ISBN 978-0-385-51931-1

Bestselling author (2005's The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke , etc.) and host of her own CNBC show, Orman encourages women to "give to yourself as much as you give of yourself" in her ninth financial advice book, sure to resonate with legions of readers who will appreciate her straightforward advice and supportive tone. Aiming squarely for a female audience, Orman guides readers through the very basics of finances. She explores why women have dysfunctional relationships with money and notes the ways they undervalue themselves or "treat themselves as a commodity whose price is set by others," while also sharing the story of her own evolving relationship with her finances. Though her explanation of the "8 qualities of a wealthy woman" (harmony, balance, courage, etc.) is more inspirational than practical, she also presents a concrete five-month "save yourself plan" for financial repair, starting with setting aside checking and savings accounts, fixing one's credit rating, saving for retirement, setting up a will and purchasing home insurance. This encouraging guide will not intimidate women who are foundering financially. (Feb.)

Correction: Due to the publisher's error, we misidentified Sidney Wanzer in our review of his book, To Die Well (Reviews, Feb. 18). He the former head of the Harvard Law School Health Services.