A Summary and Review of Nine Secrets of Women Who Get Everything They Want by Kate White

Executive Summary

Kate White’s book, 9 Secrets of Women Who Get Everything They Want is an inspirational read for women as well as empowering. At the time the book was released, Kate White was the editor in chief of Cosmopolitan Magazine and had written the best-selling book, Why Good Girls Don’t Get Ahead…but Gutsy Girls Do. White breaks the book up into nine chapters, which each include a new powerful secret and keep you wanting more. This book makes women readers feel as if they can do anything if they set their mind to it.

Throughout the book, White stresses that no task is too great to accomplish and failure is never the end of road to getting what one wants. For each secret White shares with readers she includes several examples, personal stories, and stories from other powerful women to prove her advice can work if put into real life situations. The author tells women readers what they need to do in order to be successful but she also tells them how to do it. This book will turn the gears in readers’ minds and help them to think outside of the box. White wants readers to figure out what they want in life and then gives them the tools that will make it possible to obtain whatever it may be.   

In each chapter, White has one main piece of advice for readers, within the chapter she shares much more advice that stems off the main piece. White recognizes that women are different and that everyone will handle situations differently so she gives different situational examples to show readers exactly what she means and how to improvise as they go. White is realistic and can connect with readers on a personal level because she has been in their shoes before. In the beginning of the book, she tells a story of living in a bug-infested apartment in New York City, instantly connecting with readers. She also stresses that successful women almost all have failed in life before or have been told no but kept going instead of giving up.  
Some of the pieces of advice White offers to readers are that envy is okay, women really should bite off more than they can chew, and successful women do not wait for the right moment but instead they make a moment the right moment. These are just a few of the things that White talks about in the book. Pretty much everything she recommends goes against what women are taught while growing up. According to White, pushing the envelope is a positive thing and has lead many women to experience success today.
This book was written in 1999, but in my opinion is still relevant today. I think not only women could take something positive away from this book but males as well. Many of White’s words could be put into work by any gender and maybe get them what they want. In my opinion, males have heard that they are better at getting things than women through time and this is why White target women readers.

The best part about this book is that White challenges readers but in a way that seems so possible once, they have read the entire book. White takes it slow and gives so many examples and stories in each chapter so readers will have plenty of chances to figure out exactly what she means. She also realizes that readers may not know exactly what they want in life so she acknowledges this possibility and encourages readers to continue readings and things will fall into place. White also uses several lists and bulleted style writing when giving important pieces of advice making it easy for readers to go back through and find certain things. She leaves no stone unturned and anytime I had a question it seemed like she answered it on the next page. Her credentials are proof that she knows how to get what she wants in life and in return, it left me feeling much respect for her, not only as an author, but also as a powerful woman. After reading this book, I feel that I can do anything if I really want to do it. I would recommend this book to any woman out there young or old because everyone, no matter how old, always has something they want to accomplish in life and this book will undoubtedly lead them on their way.