Half of the book is devoted to a charming appearance... I agree with other reviewers that "Better than Beauty" is an ill-fitting title. I think that if you are "fastidious" in your appearance as a woman, then only read the second half of the book. That said, most of the advice and opinions offered there are surprisingly relevant & feminist. While the book concerns a subject that is more or less superficial, it is filled with a sort of wisdom about living peaceably with yourself and others which makes it decidedly important.

I offer summary of the philosophy put forth in this guide: Charm is the result of genuinely unself-conscious kindness and respect towards yourself and others.

One last comment. As someone who in the past has expected my loveliness to shine through despite unwashed hair, I love the first sentences of Part II: "Have a heart of gold, by all means, but don't expect it to help you very much when you first meet people. Forget all the old maxims about not judging a book by its cover, and remember that first impressions MUST be surface impressions. And when you save the surface, you may well be on the way to saving it all!"