A Woman's Self-Esteem: Struggles and Triumphs in the Search for Identity

by Nathaniel Branden

"In a time when women are faced with many outside demands--career, family, community--this book will give them the tools and inspiration needed to remain grounded. A must read!"
— Barbara McFarland , psychologist and author of My Mother Was Right Based on the intimate stories of women who have struggled with issues of self-esteem, this invaluable book offers step-by-step guidance for women who want to transform themselves and create lives that are powerful, energized, and motivated. A Woman's Self-Esteem is also a guide for helping women learn the impact they can make on their own lives and how their positive actions will result in a stronger sense of competence and self-worth. A pioneer in the field of self-esteem, psychotherapist Nathaniel Branden explains that the foundation of a healthy self-esteem rests on six key practices or virtues--living consciously, self-acceptance, self-responsibility, self-assertiveness, purposeful living, and personal integrity--and reveals how women can cultivate these essential virtues to reach their full potential. The author's inspiring, real-life vignettes show how women have come to terms with these complex issues by breaking away from self-sabotaging patterns and taking the necessary steps to create more satisfying lives. In A Woman's Self-Esteem , Branden debunks common myths and reminds us that self-esteem is not a gift given to us by others. Branden offers a revealing examination of the special issues that women grapple with including romantic love, jealousy, fear of selfishness, expressing anger, defensiveness, and success anxiety. Filled with creative exercises, A Woman's Self Esteem was developed to enhance personal development and fortify self-esteem.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Self Help

162 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 1998

About the author

Nathaniel Branden was a Canadian–American psychotherapist and writer known for his work in the psychology of self-esteem. A former associate and romantic partner of Ayn Rand, Branden also played a prominent role in the 1960s in promoting Rand's philosophy, Objectivism. Rand and Branden split acrimoniously in 1968, after which Branden focused on developing his own psychological theories and modes of therapy.

Reviews

[Anita Aldana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro fue una receta de mi psicóloga y me ha encantado. La primera parte aborda los 6 pilares de la autoestima, (título de otro libro del mismo autor) pero desde la experiencia de su trabajo con mujeres (consulta clínica como psicólogo). Esto hace que los ejemplos en cada capítulo se enfoquen más en este género.

Me gustó mucho el uso de estos ejemplos para comprender más fácilmente los conceptos que se abordan. También me gustaron los ejercicios que trae al final de cada capítulo. Ejercicios para estimular la reflexión y el cambio de percepción.

La segunda parte está enfocada en temas como: el miedo al éxito, la carrera profesional, la felicidad, cómo expresar el enojo de forma efectiva.

La tercera parte, también muy práctica, da estrategias para el empoderamiento. De nuevo muy directo y con recursos valiosos para llevar a la práctica.

Disfruté que, a diferencia de otros libros escritos por psicólogos, no está cargado de vocabulario técnico, es ligero y fácil de leer para cualquier persona sin importar su conocimiento sobre psicología.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandon speaks with clarity and real life experience. He explains how self-esteem comes from real accomplishments. This is a book I'd like to own to fill in his 'stem' sentences laid out for the reader to answer. I made a list of my own accomplishments and realized I had some real valid things I've done or and/or overcame. I don't feel like I have to qualify most everything I say anymore. This self improvement book actually improved my self esteem.

[Anna Gus Yuan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not un-insightful. Highlighted some passages

[Clonicornio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an essential read! It is fantastic how smart and truly relevant it is to today's culture.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending felt abrupt and inclusion of the appendix was confusing, but the topics and stories are helpful and easy to relate to

[Private Account · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Nathaniel Branden and soon I will have read everything he has ever written. This book would be a five star book if I didn't know how much better all his other books are. Compared to all the psychology books out there this book gets 4 stars or maybe 5. But compared to everything Branden has written it's more like a 2 or 3. Read the Art of Living Consciously or the Six Pillars of Self-Esteem or anything else.

In the reviews about this book it sounded like there was a fascinating article about Ayn Rand at the end of the book that I needed to read. Apparently it was just reviewers who didn't understand what Branden was saying (or perhaps what Rand was trying to express). Since I have read a significant amount of both of their work this article was not surprising or shocking or sexist--on the contrary. I had never understood the remarks Rand had made that seemed sexist to me until I read this article. Brilliant as she was, she was still a product of her time to some degree. But now I think she was LESS sexist than I used to.

[Wisteria Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

self-esteem,

[Liliana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me gustó y me ayudó a entender cosas.