The Power of NoThe Power of No

"When was the last time you said "no"? Not, I don't think so, or maybe, or let me think about it; but a full-chested "NO"? And how often do you agree to do things you don't want to do? Most of us-especially those who don't wield traditional modes of power, or, at least, not much of it relative to others-find ourselves in situations when we are navigating around "no," and landing on "okay" or "sure" instead. The Power of No releases us from our white-knuckled grip on agreeability. In this idiosyncratic yet empowering book, Atlantic columnist Anna Holmes reveals why it's so damn hard for us to utter that two-letter word on its own, through searing analysis, expert-led research, and stirring insights from the likes of Charlotte Bronte to Shonda Rhimes. From the linguistic, to the societal, to the psychological-from our impressionable childhood to the revelations of middle age-to sex, desire, bodily autonomy, Holmes playfully traces how "no" shapes our lives, and if exercised properly, can radically change the way we carry ourselves and move about the world. Equal parts heartfelt meditation and fiery manifesto, The Power of No is a call to embrace the invigorating truth that "no" is a complete sentence"-- Provided by publisher.