Exposes the myth of the so-called "glass ceiling" through interviews with many of the nation's leading women business executives, whose careers and experiences demonstrate that women can reach the top of the corporate world if they are savvy enough. The glass ceiling is a myth. Women have not reached the top of the corporate world because they have not used the proper strategies. Traditional bias against assigning women important international jobs is fast disappearing. Executives (male) are waking up and understanding how the talent pool of American women can make America more productive. If attorney Driscoll and Goldberg, the head of a marketing and consulting firm, are correct in saying all this, why are the majority of books and articles on corporate America by and about men, to say nothing of the photographs in magazines and newspapers? And why are women still earning less than 70 percent of the typical man's salary? It would be wonderful if their book reflected reality, but it doesn't. An interesting book with some good thoughts and ideas, but not necessary. - Patty Miller, New Hampshire Technical Coll. Lib., Laconia Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. Neither strident nor unreasonably demanding, two well-known women executives research and outline, as dispassionately as possible, the present and future of their gender in U.S. corporations. Using personal interviews as well as secondary research, they point to the increasing power of women in business--despite media headlines about glass ceilings. What's more, they tackle workplace issues with common sense: rainmaking abilities, family demands, development of a reputation, sex discrimination, board directorships, and the like. Each topic is replete with examples; a chapter on women in public life, for instance, underscores the success of Emily's List and other fund-raising organizations. Perhaps the most valuable advice for those of all ages and at all career stages is their espousal of a new feminist model, "partnership feminism," in which the unique qualities that women bring to the corporate world are intertwined with economic realities. A thoughtful discourse for any manager, any aspiring "careerist," any executive. Barbara Jacobs Corporate insiders Driscoll and Goldberg (president of Driscoll Associates and the Avcar Group Ltd., respectively) assess the obstacles that women face in business and, based on interviews with women executives, recommend the best techniques for overcoming them. Well aware of the stereotypes women live with in business, Driscoll and Goldberg offer sound and practical--if, for some, perhaps compromising--techniques for dispelling stereotypes and joining ``the Club,'' the group of executives whose opinions and decisions affect the way people live. Attitude, the authors believe, counts greatly: aspiring women should give up negativism, male role models, and blame. Driscoll and Goldberg urge women to become visible, as well as valuable through ``rainmaking'' (generating clients and keeping their loyalties); to develop a specialty; to cultivate emotional detachment, autonomy, and ``personal currency'' through ``public club'' activities, such as volunteerism and civic work that contribute to corporate prestige. While corporate romance is to be avoided, feminine appearance counts, as does charisma. The authors also recommend that women break the barriers to international business; ``network'' by joining support groups of other businesswomen; be critical but available; learn to manage the media; and acquire public visibility. In place of a career, they say, women should acquire an ``MIT''--a combination of mission, interests, talent--and learn to balance the personal with the public, and family with business, and to encourage political action that supports domestic life. Heartening and useful--but likely to fall best on mature ears, and better suited to more economically opportune times. Still, cheaper than a power suit--and probably more effective. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. Judith Sprieser President, Sara Lee Bakeries I feel as though Members of the Club was talking directly to me on every page. All working women, both those in the club and those who aspire to join the club, should read this book. -- Review Dawn-Marie Driscoll, an attorney, is president of Driscoll Associates, a consulting firm, and a corporate director. She is a former partner at Palmer & Dodge. Chapter 1 OPENING THE CLUBHOUSE DOOR This book is about women who have made it in business and the professions and how they will lead the next stage of the women's movement. As seasoned executives, they have overcome obstacles and are showing other women how they can do it, too. But reaching the senior level is not enough; these executives are using their leverage in the economic community to bring about change, thereby proving the effort to reach the top was worthwhile. They are members of The Club, that elite