THE PRINCESSA is aimed at every woman who feels that she wants and deserves more than she has gained through traditional means of compromise, co-operation, negotiation and nurturing. Writing as Machiavella, the author reveals the Princessa's strategy for successful relationships with her bosses, clients, lovers, parents anyone who stands between her and her desires. Rubin exhorts women not to be afraid to use conflict, which of all possible relationships is the one women understand the least. Women typically try to avoid conflict, or to cure it as if it were the flu. Yet conflict is contact; it's a relationship characterized by power. Machiavelli showed the prince how to use conflict in order to establish control. For the Princessa, the goal is not control. It's impact, having a presence of authority. The theme of The Princessa shows how to use both strategy and emotion, combining the tactics of love and the tactics of war. Drawing on examples from history, such as Joan of Arc and Golda Meir, as well as contemporary figures in business, politics and the arts, Rubin's powerful treatise is a manifesto of women's power. After reading The Princessa, both men and women will be asking themselves, Why fight like Machiavelli when you can fight like Machiavella?
Industry Reviews
Rubin, who heads a business publishing imprint, tackles the subject of powerful women. Using a couple of numbered lists, a New Age concept or two, and the poetry of Anna Akhmatova, Rubin attempts to explain to women the notion that power struggles are best solved by not struggling. In the business world, she writes, women are better served by appearing to yield to opposition, deferring to others, and subtly taking control of the situation. Much of the advice is common sense: Try to see the issue from the opposition's point of view; don't exact revenge; create a network of support. Rubin also gives many real-life examples of how women, ranging from George Eliot to Golda Melt, gained power by gracefully overcoming their enemies. Ahimsa, a Gandhian principle that advocates returning hate with love, is another technique Rubin recommends for the boardroom. Other tactics are a bit questionable, particularly Rubin's advice to women to cry if they must: It's a rare business person who would say that tears in the office are a sign of strength, and crying hardly engenders respect. A few business scenarios are offered and analyzed for their power structure, but apply mainly to women fairly far up in the corporate hierarchy - there's little here for the receptionist trying to make good. This is a fairly interesting idea turned into a trifle of a book; the examples are uniformly vague, though Rubin's advice is well-meaning. Women truly interested in the pursuit and acquisition of power will want to seek the original Prince. (Kirkus Reviews)
