Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed-Down World

Lisa Bloom

Vanguard Press,  May 2011

Girlfriends, what is happening to us? Lisa Bloom asks.

In Think, Bloom reveals the stark paradoxes that American girls and women are living today, including:

  • We are excelling in education at every level but are likewise obsessing over celebrity lifestyles and tabloid media, leaving many of us unable to name a single branch of government -- but nearly all of us can name at least one Kardashian.
  • We are outperforming our male counterparts in employment in urban areas for the first time in history, yet spending more time and money on our appearances, including electing life-endangering plastic surgery in record-breaking numbers.
In a culture that continually rewards beauty over brains, it's no wonder that straight-A high school girls believe "it's more important to be hot than smart" as they giggle into television cameras that they don't know how many sides a triangle has, nor in which country Mexico City is located.

All of these factors have left Bloom wondering: How did we get from the Equal Pay Act and Title IX to celebutainment and Botox, and -- more importantly -- what can we do about it?

Bloom offers the solution, and it involves one simple word: THINK.

In this provocative, entertaining, and thoroughly researched book, Bloom illuminates specific steps to reclaiming our brains, regaining focus, and taking charge of our lives. As a working mom who appreciates the value of time, Bloom first revels how rethinking some common but outdated practices can give us more time to breathe and engage our minds. Next, Bloom details how to use these newfound hours more meaningfully by turning away from reality shows and toward compelling and substantive news sites, magazines and books (reading list included), reconnecting with our communities, and becoming more thoughtful and proactive contributors to local, national, and global causes.

Packed with thought-provoking, revelatory points that will get your gray matter growing again, Think is delivered in a no-nonsense, straight-talk manner that will make you laugh, squirm, and question yourself -- and most importantly -- make you start thinking again.

Hardcover | ISBN: 9781593156596 | Publication Date: May 2011

Reviews:
"Lisa Bloom is a dynamo and her book is as smart, quick, and funny as she is. Think paints a clear picture of the power of tabloid culture, inspires personal change, and evokes the desire to make a difference. Best of all, Think provides a step-by-step guide on how to rescue ourselves from the belly of the beast. This book is a must-read for girls and women everywhere."
-- Rory Freedman, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author of Skinny Bitch

"Think reads like a conversation with that best friend we all need. Funny, wise, opinionated, Lisa Bloom covers everything from Angelina Jolie to precut veggies in this how-to, what-for, this-matters guide to a meaningful and honorable life."
-- Jeffrey Toobin, CNN Legal Analyst, legal writer for The New Yorker and New York Times bestselling author of The Nine

"Think is a real eye-opener. Lisa Bloom brings her extraordinary passion, humor, and intelligence to the important subject of how women and girls can fight being drowned in a sea of pop culture, and lead lives that are fuller, richer, and more connected. Think educates, informs, and -- thanks to Lisa's wit and sense of humor -- keeps us smiling along the way. Think is a must-read for all mothers and daughters."
-- Dr. Phil, Television host and #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Every woman in America needs to read Think. It made me think about how I can become more successful, influential, and compassionate. Lisa Bloom is a leader for our times. Listen to her."
-- Jane Velez-Mitchell, bestselling author and host of Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell on HLN

"Witty, insightful, and practical. Think brims with specific ideas to give women more time, happiness, and meaning in our lives. Even if it were not written by my daughter, I'd still recommend this life-changing book to everyone I know."
-- Gloria Allred, women's and victim's rights attorney, partner Allred, Maroko & Goldberg

"Lisa Bloom is a woman of brilliance, boldness, and beauty. One of the smartest and most erudite people in the American popular culture, you debate her on TV at your own risk. In her new book, Lisa deals with one of our nation's most pressing subjects: the need for women to use, and be appreciated for, their minds. As the father of six daughters, I am immensely grateful to Lisa for this outstanding and riveting contribution."
-- Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, New York Times bestselling author of 10 Conversations You Need to Have with Your Children