Tripping the Prom Queen is an investigation of the dark secret of female friendships-the deep vein of female rivalry. Based on interviews with women across the social spectrum, Susan Shapiro Barash has exploded the myth that women are generally supportive of one another. In fact, the competition between women is more vicious precisely because it is covert. She tells us: Why women can't and won't admit to rivalry. How women are trained from an early age to compete with one another. In which areas women most heatedly compete. How rivalry is different among women than among men. The differences between competition, envy, and jealousy. When competition is healthy and when it isn't. Why women find it irresistible to trip the prom queen. Useful strategies to stop the competition and forge a new kind of relationship with other women. Tripping the Prom Queen is an engrossing exploration of bad behavior that all women will identify with, and a beacon of hope for a better, more promising future.
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"Fascinating topic and presented in a very readable way! Very well-organized. I enjoyed the personal testimonials combined with text, and I literally flew through this book in a few days."
— Alicia (4 out of 5 stars)
A helpful starting place for any woman wondering if it's possible to get what she wants without hurting or being hurt.
— Publishers Weekly“Overall, this study provides a helpful starting place for any woman wondering if it’s possible to get what she wants without hurting or being hurt.”
— Publishers Weekly" Read this book then watch the movie all about Eve it's very intresting. "
— Sharon, 1/21/2014" Some of the stories are really scary. I think that this sort of competition really does go on between women, but I don't feel it had affected me to the degree presented in the book. I think that this problem affects an older generation to a more significant degree. In general, I still feel that the men I work with are a lot more competitive that the women. Although I agree that women, in general, are more competitive about other aspects of life, especially women that are more "traditional". However, I don't feel that my friends give a shit about who gets married or has kids first, and I definitely have never had a friend try to steal my boyfriend or anything. "
— Emily, 1/18/2014" The book was a good selection for a book club because it provided an excellent discussion. However, the author's methodology was incredibly lame and she included WAY too many examples from the media and entertainment - such as plotlines from TV shows and movies to prov - to prove her point. "
— cagey, 1/14/2014" This was interesting, but not super informative. It was read fabulously though! "
— Amanda, 1/13/2014" OK book, but made for a really interesting book club discussion. "
— Lisa, 1/11/2014" I couldn't get through this book, at all! I think perhaps it may be one that I skim through again at a later date... "
— Gina, 12/22/2013" I thought this book was quite interesting. I thought the author repeated a lot during the book but the things she brought up I've found to be somewhat true. "
— Betsy, 12/15/2013" This book changed my life. It illuminated almost every female relationship that I have ever had. I think every woman should read it. It does go a little far, at times. "
— Lacey, 12/13/2013" Seemed like a good pop-psychology kind of book that examines women's relationships. It just didn't grab me fast enough. "
— Alicia, 11/11/2013" Sure, women are competitive, but just as much as men are in my mind. I was hoping this book would actually shed some light on this potentially interesting topic, and was disappointed when it didn't do anything but provide us more examples that, women are competing with one another. "
— Gina, 8/12/2013" You have to give the author credit for trying to provide some solutions to a tough problem. "
— Kate, 7/8/2013" Interesting. Explores why women treat each other they way they do. WHY do we do that anyway?! Practical examples were not very relevant to my lifestyle, but the larger ideas were intriguing. "
— Elizabethryancey, 5/9/2013" We're so darn mean to one another. "
— Jennifer, 2/9/2013" The nature and function of rivalry among women needs to be examined, especially in relationship to feminism. Unfortunately, this book doesn't live up to the task. It is poorly written, poorly reasoned, and hands down the most demoralizing read I've had this year. "
— Sophie, 1/22/2013" BC Hostess: Adrienne-This is a sociology style book that made for an interesting discussion but not a very fun read. "
— Nicole, 7/5/2012" I've learned that, girls, we AREN'T crazy...there are a lot more women who believe in petty rivalries than in sisterhood. It's really a shame, and this book helps a bit by reminding you that it isn't all in your head. It's not any more helpful than that, though. "
— Valarie, 5/3/2012" This book was an interesting look into the world of female competition. It was a bit dry at times but made me think more about my personal experiences. "
— Mary, 1/28/2012" Explores why women often feel the need to drag each other down, rather than celebrate our successes. A frustrating reality. "
— EAK, 9/11/2011" I couldn't even finish it. I couldn't. I didn't find it helpful at all. "
— Camille, 11/15/2010" Are women seriously as shallow as portrayed in this book? "
— windyheaven, 6/24/2010" I found this thru Oprah magazine...very interestig read. "
— Rita, 4/16/2010" this is such an awesome book! i highly recommend. it helped me let go of some things i needed to. "
— Amy, 4/4/2010Susan Shapiro Barash, an established writer of nonfiction women’s issue books, has authored nine books, including A Passion for More: Wives Reveal the Affairs That Make or Break Their Marriages; Second Wives: The Pitfalls and Rewards of Marrying Widowers and Divorced Men; and Mothers-in-Law and Daughters-in-Law: Love, Hate, Rivalry and Reconciliation. She is a professor of critical thinking/gender studies at Marymount Manhattan College and a member of the Women’s Leadership Board at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, where she mentors graduate students.
Shelly Frasier has appeared in many independent film and theater projects in Arizona and Southern California and has done voice-over work for commercials and animation projects. She trained at the Groundlings Improv School in Hollywood and South Coast Repertory’s Professional Conservatory in Costa Mesa, California. She has performed at theaters throughout North Hollywood and Orange County.