Review: Women Know Everything!

Women Know Everything!
By: Karen Weekes
ISBN: 978-1-59474-506-5

Summary via Quirk Books:
With more than 3,000 quotations on fashion, family, science, art, history, love, laughter, and more, this massive compilation proves once and for all that women know everything! It’s full of wit, wisdom, and inspiration from a host of legendary women—everyone from Abigail Adams and Eleanor Roosevelt to Oprah Winfrey, Donna Karan, Tina Fey, Margaret Cho, Debbie Stoller, and others. Here’s what they say about:

Fashion: “I base most of my fashion sense on what doesn’t itch.”—Gilda Radner

Men and Women: “Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backward and in high heels.”—Faith Whittlesey

Careers: “Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you’re wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you it doesn't love you anymore.”—Lady Gaga

First published in 2007, this revised edition has been updated with a beautiful new design and an assortment of new quotations from leading luminaries—everyone from Susan Boyle to Sarah Palin. Women Know Everything! is a superb gift for thoughtful women of all ages.

Review:
Who doesn't love a good quotation book? This is a particularly great one because it covers absolutely everything! It has quotations set up in alphabetical order based on the subject manner. From A-Z it has some of the best quotes of all time from women, history couldn't even dare to ignore! As Laurel Thatcher Ulrich is quoted as saying "Well-behaved women rarely make history" (page 48). Ms. Weekes has included some really fun and intelligent women in her book including Maya Angelou, Margaret Atwood, Drew Barrymore, Margaret Cho, Ellen DeGeneres, Ani DiFranco, and Tina Fey, to name a few. There really are so many women included from all time periods and they aren't afraid of the hard issues. Some of the issues are Activism, Childbirth, Euthanasia, Gender Roles, Identity, Leadership, Mental Health, and really so much more.

In this day and age it's hard to believe that gender inequality still exists (for men & women). Books like this, aside from it's humorous title, I think are very important. I say this not because I am a feminist (and I am) but due to the little notice women are given in many history classes around the world. Many people can quote Einstein but few know anything about female scientists. For example, few people know Hedy Lamarr as anything but an actress but without her, Wifi wouldn't exist. To quote her "Films have a certain place in a certain time period. Technology is forever" (page 427) but sadly people remember her for her films not her contributions. To men this book is also important because it shows that history doesn't solely rest on their shoulders! It is everyone's responsibility to make change and turn this world into a better place for having us in it.

These insights and remarks aren't important just for changing the world or making history, they are for our own development too. These quotes make us examine how we really feel about certain issues. They invoke responses that may or may not surprise you. These quotes can also introduce you to women you have never heard about before, or sides of them you never knew existed. They may even inspire you to find your own voice and make a stand!

As for this month's theme of chick lit meets the paranormal, this is right on par. Our heroines are hilarious and memorable because of their witty one liners and cunning charm, just like our real life heroines. So take a moment out of today and look this book up. It's great for the night stand or coffee table, I personally recommend it as a graduation gift. As we all go through crazy transitions its important to see how others think, and learn from them as Eleanor Roosevelt said "Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself." (page 249) I give this book a glowing five star review because it covers many hard subject manners and brings us quotations from past famous women as well as women from today.

If you want to get involved with fixing gender inequality check out activist groups and watch what Congress is doing. HeforShe.org may be a good start as it recently has been on the world stage when Emma Watson made a speech about her support for equality. Characters Unite is another good way to get involved. There are many ways to get involved but nothing so important as watching how you treat others, men, women, other genders. "Be the change you want to see in the world" is a popular quotation and sounds pithy but it's true. You can't stand up for rights if you are inhibiting another's rights.

Note: I know many people who read this, may or may not recognize themselves under either male or female gender, you have not been excluded. This is for everyone's rights not just women and not just men, everyone deserves equal rights. Sometimes it's easier to boil this down to gender duality but do not think for one second I have forgotten you!