Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life)

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Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life)

3.69 of 5 stars 3.69 · rating details · 795 ratings · 180 reviews

Cathie Black is the wise, funny mentor that every woman dreams of having. She was a pioneer in advertising sales at a time when women didn’t sell; served as president and publisher of the fledgling USA Today; and, in her current position as the president of Hearst Magazines, persuaded Oprah to launch a magazine. In 2006 she was named one of Fortune’s “50 Most Powerful Wome...more Cathie Black is the wise, funny mentor that every woman dreams of having. She was a pioneer in advertising sales at a time when women didn’t sell; served as president and publisher of the fledgling USA Today; and, in her current position as the president of Hearst Magazines, persuaded Oprah to launch a magazine. In 2006 she was named one of Fortune’s “50 Most Powerful Women in American Business” for the seventh consecutive year. Now, in the exuberant, down-to-earth voice that is her trademark, Cathie explains how she achieved “the 360° life”—a blend of professional accomplishment and personal contentment—and how any woman can seize opportunity in the workplace.

No matter where you are in your career, Basic Black offers invaluable lessons that will help you land the job, promotion, or project you’re vying for. At the core of the book are Cathie’s candid, personal stories. She walks us through her decision to risk dropping a huge ad agency that handled the USA Today campaign in favor of a small boutique agency run by a wild man. (It was a smash.) She admits that her sometimes brusque style once led to a mutiny of staffers at Ms. (She learned to be more flexible in her managerial style.) She offers a clear-eyed look at what happened during the twenty-eight months between the launch and the close of the much-
buzzed-about Talk magazine. And throughout, she offers fascinating glimpses of media and business personalities, such as Rupert Murdoch, Tina Brown, Frank Bennack, Vic Ganzi, former CosmoGirl! editor Atoosa Rubenstein, Bonnie Fuller, and the legendarily difficult Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today.

Above all, Basic Black is motivating. It provides a close-up look at the keen judgment, perseverance, and optimism that have propelled Cathie Black to the top of her game, along with the kind of straight-up practical advice you get in a one-on-one session with a career coach. You’ll find out how to handle job interviews, which rules to break, and why you should make your life a grudge-free zone. Equally important, you’ll be inspired to pursue your passions and achieve your very best.(less)

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published October 23rd 2007 by Crown Business (first published January 1st 2007)

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Mar 10, 2008 Becky rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: somebody obsessed with Hearst, Gannett, or USA Today

Despite this book's subtitle stating that it is a "Guide," I felt this book was more of a memoir than a how-to. It has components of both, and succeeds as neither.

Some of Black's anecdotes about her rise to the top were memorable -- most notably the one in which she very publicly gives one of her superiors a giant tomato from her garden, in order to make an impression on him.

But Black doesn't succeed in turning the anecdote into a lesson. It's just a story about a stunt she pulled to publicize...more Despite this book's subtitle stating that it is a "Guide," I felt this book was more of a memoir than a how-to. It has components of both, and succeeds as neither.

Some of Black's anecdotes about her rise to the top were memorable -- most notably the one in which she very publicly gives one of her superiors a giant tomato from her garden, in order to make an impression on him.

But Black doesn't succeed in turning the anecdote into a lesson. It's just a story about a stunt she pulled to publicize herself -- and in the telling, it comes off as a lame stunt at that. (She also kept referring to the tomato as a "vegetable," which drove me nuts.)

Oddly enough, a few chapters later, she talks about a hopeful interviewee who sent her a four-foot-tall potted plant as a thank-you gift. Black makes fun of the gift and advises against readers doing something similar. I don't get it. Why is it clever for Black to go to a big meeting and give somebody a giant tomato, but it's stupid for a potential new hire to send Black a large plant?

Basic Black is full of muddles like this. In another anecdote, Black talks about the first executive resort getaway she organized after joining Hearst. She tells us that she booked the getaway at a Florida resort that was "not your father's resort," and yet she doesn't give other details to show why the place was so different, special, and fabulous. She does mention that the decor features sweeping floor-to-ceiling draperies.

Later, she describes making a speech to the Hearst execs, and makes a big deal about her rallying cry of, "It's time to shake the dust off the curtains at Hearst!" At which point, she gestured to the resort's big curtains.

Uh, OK. So that was it? You pointed at the curtains, AND...?

And nothing. That's the end of the story. Apparently she is to be congratulated for booking a resort that had fantastic curtains, and then working the curtains into her speech. The book doesn't go any deeper into the Big Curtain Metaphor to provide any advice for the reader. The anecdote falls flat.

As does much of the book. I found very little in it that was interesting or worthwhile. The "Devil is in the Details" chapter was probably the best one. It broke out, in list form, various dos and don'ts of maintaining and upgrading one's career and personal relationships.

But there is very little actual "advice" in this book, so don't be fooled by the subtitle, or by a quick flip-through -- those little red-boxed bits of "advice" peppered through the text were more like lame fortune-cookie fortunes, empty aphorisms.
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Mar 12, 2009 asma Qadah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

كاثي الرائعة تهتم بشريحة الموظفين، كيف تنتج أفضل في عملك، كيف تؤدي عملك بالشكل الصحيح، كيف تظهر بالمظهر الحسن في عملك.. رائع جداً للمتخرجين الحديثين و الموظفين القدامى..

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Dec 13, 2008 Stephanie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Cathie Black is the President of Hearst Magazines. I think she is so sharp! I am really enjoying her business sense!

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Oct 22, 2011 Mark Oppenlander rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: business-economics, biography-and-memoir

This is a nice little book of career and professional advice from Cathie Black, the President of Hearst Magazines. A self-described middle-class girl from the South Side of Chicago, Black worked her way up through the magazine and publishing industry to now be rated as one of the 50 most powerful female executives in the U.S. In giving career advice, she shares many anecdotes from her own life and work, and these stories are consistently entertaining. The book is written in a breezy style and is...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Devon rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved reading Cathie Black's "Basic Black." I bought this book the day after I accepted an offer for my first professional job after college and it couldn't have prepared me more for the workplace, being a woman in the workplace, learning how to be a leader, and much, much more.

Some people may find this book to be too much about the media bizz, but her anecdotes and stories really do cross many professional careers and can be applicable to almost anyone, especially women. I wouldn't recommend...more

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Nov 10, 2010 Guy Gonzalez rated it 3 of 5 stars

Years from now, when she's retired and far enough removed from Hearst to comfortably lift the curtain on an impressive career, Cathie Black has the potential to write a fascinating memoir that will double as an invaluable first-hand perspective on the evolution of the consumer publishing industry from its advertising-driven heyday into the digital age.

Unfortunately, she listened to her agent and "PR guru" -- the two women credited as having convinced her to write Basic Black -- and played her ca...more

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Oct 16, 2010 Memizuki rated it 5 of 5 stars

Not so much a how to book, but a self reflection on the subtleties of the work place. Cathie Black is President and CEO of Hearst Magazines, which include Oprah, Cosmo, Cosmo Girl, and a ton of others. She talks about her work life throughout the years… from graduating college and expectations in the work place to her life now and how she got there.

One of my favorite stories includes her roommate and the difference of being told what to do specifically and knowing yourself what is expected of y...more Not so much a how to book, but a self reflection on the subtleties of the work place. Cathie Black is President and CEO of Hearst Magazines, which include Oprah, Cosmo, Cosmo Girl, and a ton of others. She talks about her work life throughout the years… from graduating college and expectations in the work place to her life now and how she got there.

One of my favorite stories includes her roommate and the difference of being told what to do specifically and knowing yourself what is expected of you. While your job and your boss can explain things, there is a point that you should know as a grown adult and the position you have what is expected of the job without being micro managed. (This particular part came at a time in my work place where I felt like I had to micro manage).

I also think that I have learned a lot, especially the importance of having a mentor in your workplace that can help guide you. At the same time, I do believe that there are many things that I already do in my work life, this being common sense to me, but not a lot of other people. This of course brings me to my next point, are there different expectations in the workplace now with my generation such as; graduating college and expecting at 80K plus job right out of school? I think times have changed, especially with technology and the easy of working from home. I also think that we have moved from a society of social work interaction to barely speaking on the phone. The ease of email and texting has moved us to place where you don’t have to ever see anyone; meetings are done via teleconference and even beyond that gotomeeting where you don’t even have to speak with anyone, just type in your screen and see what they are doing 10,000 miles away with the same screen.

What is the same, the expectations of respect, being at work on time, and proper channels of communication. Cathie Black puts all this into prospective, speaking of taking risks and challenging yourself while understanding your self worth. I think every woman in the work place that strives to achieve higher standards should be reading this book.

Way to go Cathie!
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Oct 22, 2009 Manda rated it 4 of 5 stars

A must-read for any woman (or any guy, frankly) in her twenties and starting her career. It can also be a useful refresher for those in the middle of their professional lives who may have let themselves slide a bit too much or those changing their career track.

Written in a frank, direct, and conversational style, Black gives practical advice which draws on her own experience and personal anecdotes. She reminds us of harsh realities most career counselors and college professors never prepare you...more

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May 04, 2013 Jessica rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Although I enjoyed this book, I'm not sure I would recommend it, at least not over several other career advice books. The book is "basic" in that much of the advice is the same that I'd heard elsewhere, but on the other hand Cathie Black seems to be speaking primarily to 1) women who 2) work in business and 3) want to climb the corporate ladder as she did, as so her stories and the advice she draws from them are heavily colored by that perspective.

What I liked about the book was the stories, mor...more Although I enjoyed this book, I'm not sure I would recommend it, at least not over several other career advice books. The book is "basic" in that much of the advice is the same that I'd heard elsewhere, but on the other hand Cathie Black seems to be speaking primarily to 1) women who 2) work in business and 3) want to climb the corporate ladder as she did, as so her stories and the advice she draws from them are heavily colored by that perspective.

What I liked about the book was the stories, more so than the lessons the reader was supposed to get from them. Black had a long career in the media business and so has many interesting stories about experiences with bosses, clients, coworkers, and employees, and it is these stories that are likely to stay with me. Sometimes I agreed with the lessons she shared, but sometimes I felt they were a stretch or even in conflict with one another -- such as telling two stories in which lying to one's boss was the best strategy, while later talking about how being ethical is always more important than getting ahead. At some points she talks as if getting ahead is always the most important thing, even if it means being in a hostile work environment, while in her section on the "360-degree life" she talks about needing to be in the right environment where you can thrive.

I think what she says near the very end is the most true -- that the skill that's most helped her has been the ability to adapt to change. This, however, doesn't lend itself to a book full of lessons for use in any situation; it's more valuable instead to see how she (or others) handled each individual situation and what the result was.

I appreciated that Black doesn't shy away from using examples of her own mistakes and missteps in order to show what not to do. This provides a lesson not just in how to handle one's own blunders, but also in the fact that Black continued to have success despite occasionally making mistakes. I thought she probably could have gotten through the book without sharing stories of other people's problems and mistakes, sometimes identifying them by their full names, but the consequences of that are her own to deal with and didn't necessarily impact the quality of the book. However, I do think she may have been overly enamored by Al Neuharth, as she attempted to draw leadership lessons from his behaviors that were essentially bullying, simply because they got results.

Reading this book in 2013 meant it was somewhat shadowed by my knowledge of what happened to Black in the years following the publication of the book -- namely, her disastrous experience attempting to become chancellor of New York City Schools, a gig that lasted only 95 days. It's hard to believe that you're getting solid advice from someone who clearly still has some lessons of her own to learn.

In the end, while I enjoyed the stories and the book gave me a lot to think about, I felt the lesson format was somewhat forced and the lessons inconsistent. It's perhaps most valuable for a specific audience (women in business wanting to advance), but there are better books out there for anyone outside of that audience looking for career or life advice.(less)

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Aug 09, 2011 Nalini rated it 2 of 5 stars

The key word here is "basic." Helpful tips for college (and perhaps high school) grads, and a few insights for a more experienced audience. Great for someone interested in the world of publishing, as almost all the anecdotes and lessons can be applied in that arena; less applicable lessons to finance, medicine, or any other field. I enjoyed most the autobiography of Cathie Black, the fascinating trajectory of her career, the verve that commanded her success, and the window into the world of publ...more

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May 17, 2011 Vanessa added it

This lady is a hypocrite. The advice makes sense if you want to move up in the corporate world, but it also reminded me of why I hate Corporate America.

I looked her up and saw that she had just resigned from an appointed position as the head of education in NYC. Funny, but she has a whole section about not pretending to work in fields that one knows nothing about. She specifically said she was offered lots of positions in fields that had nothing to do with media but declined them because it was...more

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May 02, 2008 N. rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked this book! I first heard Cathie Black on the radio, on a City Arts and Lecture series. She was talking about her career, and I was impressed by how personable, funny and warm she seemed, despite having huge credentials like launching Oprah magazine, making USA Today successful and heading Hearst Magazines. I was curious about her after the interview and picked up her book.

Ok, sometimes I had issues with the pink lettering that would randomly pop up in chapters every few paragraphs or so...more

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Mar 19, 2008 Elizabeth Vasquez rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Elizabeth by: Oprah & Becky Bench

Gift from Becky Bench. My favorite quick tips for the key to success- Drive, Power, and Passion
1. Remember to learn from teachable moments
2. Make sure your job responsibilities are clearly define
3. Demonstrate drive by communicating with passion and taking actions to be prepared
4. Show your peers, boss, clients, and competitors you are the most prepared
5. Create a reputation for making the extra effort is a great way to get noticed
6. Be sure of yourself to engage people in a bold and unusual wa...more

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Dec 18, 2007 MacDuff rated it 5 of 5 stars

Cathie Black is very well-known in the publishing world, as she's the president of Hearst Magazines. She's a bad-ass. Really, she is. This book was aimed at all women in business - sort of a call to arms to get yourself together, get your co-workers (especially other women) working together, and deal with men. She is very honest about the fact that she's often seen as being bossy, but she emphasizes that she's learned from her many mistakes, and wants the best for her companies all the time. She...more

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Jul 05, 2010 Rachel Youens rated it 5 of 5 stars

Great narrative advice book for working women. It's been hard for me to find career advice books for women that aren't too trite and that are written by women who have actually struggled their way up the ladder and not powers who want to dish advice but have never actually employed nay of it. Cathie's stories are based on her own life and she is willing to point out mistakes she made and bold moves she makes that usually only men get away with. I'd recommend it.

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Oct 17, 2010 Beth Jensen rated it 4 of 5 stars

I loved this book! I met Cathie about a month ago in Vermillion, SD after she received the Newharth Award for Excellence in the Media. She was an inspiration both in person and in print. I found almost all the struggles I have at work were both defined and addressed well in her book. Although her audience is primarily 20-30 year-old females working in a business setting, I want my husband to glean valued insight by reading this as well!

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Apr 30, 2012 Meredith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

This was really good. I thought she made some good points about work and life ("You can have it all, but you cannot have it all at the same time") and while I'm generally wary about reading books specifically for "women in business" I thought her insights into gender at work were really useful.

I particularly liked the two questions she tells you to ask yourself whenever you receive criticism:
1. Can you trust that this person is acting in good faith and not on some ulterior motive?
2. Does this p...more

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Aug 23, 2008 Nancy Cours rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: under-30 women

Cathie Black is probably someone in real life that I would find intense and perhaps grating, but I found her book surprisingly easy to read, anecdotal-full and punchy, much like the successful magazines that make her company (Hearst magazines) rich. Must be why I liked this book.

I found Black's suggestions on women in the working world helpful, full of humor, and not that lecturing. Generally, I found her inspiring. She gears her book toward a younger generation, who don't have to face as many o...more

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Dec 02, 2010 Jude rated it 4 of 5 stars

What I appreciated about her book was the fact that it not only was a story of personal success and challenges, it also gave timely, crucial advice. She portrays herself as a strong business woman who has tested the limits and mostly gambled well. Through even her missteps, she has always landed on her feet better for the experience. I enjoyed hearing her story, as well as the advice she gave! Good book!!

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Oct 10, 2010 Dexter rated it 3 of 5 stars

Pretty good book for how to success in the corporate world. You can tell the author is a bitch, but hey, sometimes you gotta be a bitch to be successful.

Useful tips:

1) Own up to mistakes quick.
2) Bust your ass.
3) Make your boss look good. He/She has a boss and if you make him/her look good, you'll get the rewards.
4) Set yearly goals. Break them up into smaller goals. Review periodically.

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Dec 10, 2008 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read this book within a few weeks and I found it to be a wonderful book for any professional woman trying to break the glass ceiling. Her workplace stories are entertaining and educational, she offers wise advice that is easy to implement, and offers smart methods of ethical work practices.

I highly recommend this book to every professional working woman to identify with and to smile at !

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Aug 19, 2009 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

Overall, this was an okay business oriented book. A bit light and a rather easy read. There was nothing earth shattering in the book, nothing new but I enjoyed reading it. There were a few inconsistencies which I found odd ... a tomato is an okay thing to give to a potential employer but a potted plant is not, for example. But, overall, I enjoyed it.

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Nov 19, 2008 Catherine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Cathie is compassionate and understands the mistakes many of us have made because she makes them herself. However, she doesn't call them mistakes because she learned from each thing. Her book works as a mentor to anyone, I only wished I'd read it when I was 20. She is an amazing woman and I enjoyed arranging my time to get back to it.

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Sep 21, 2011 Whitney rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: business

Cathie Black is the former president of Hearst Magazines. I can't put this book down...it received a lot of criticism that it's not really a 'guide' as the subtitle states, and more of a memoir, but I feel that I'm learning a lot from her work stories. Plus, she gives a ton of tips on everything from job interviews to dealing with difficult coworkers to how to lead a team. Her tone is warm and approachable, and even though she has had a huge, successful career, she never comes across as a bragga...more

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Sep 09, 2011 Yelena rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm about half way throught this book, and so far I love it. Cathie Black's writing style is very forward and blung - she gets to the point and tells it like it is. I definetly can learn a lot from her since she has become a success in her industry - one that I'm considering going into after graudation.

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Jul 14, 2011 Serina rated it 3 of 5 stars

it is a nice book but and i regret to say this she adores herself, it is her way or the high way!
she is tough no doubts about it, you see some experience also no doubt about it as it is basically a bio but all you can see is her!
she doesn't accept different views from her except if they are stronger not finer or more delicate and that's her problem

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Sep 13, 2011 Amweeks rated it 4 of 5 stars

Excellent book for new professionals entering the business world. Great advice on how to move up the ladder and how to manage the difficulties of a corporate environment. There are also great tips for managers and how to manage different personalities.

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Jul 22, 2009 Laura rated it 2 of 5 stars

Her professional advice was very good, but she didn't cover the 360-degree life as much as I would have liked. If I could add an additional half-star, I would - I really liked her tone. The book just wasn't as much of a memoir as I thought it would be.

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Jan 16, 2010 Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is one of the greatest gifts my father has ever given me. This is a fantastic book and you do not have to be in the corporate world to benefit from its contents. I would recommend this book to women at any stage in their careers.

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Jan 21, 2013 Becki Iverson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Cathie Black's book is valuable mostly for its anecdotal lessons. With such a deep, wide ranging experience in high executive positions in a wide variety of companies, Black can cull a lesson on practically any subject from her own past work.

Basic Black can be a bit dated, particularly in realms of technology, but the relational wisdom and many of the work tips are still timeless. It's a quick, enjoyable read for anyone who is looking for a softer book with business tips.

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Basic Black: The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life)

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