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

by Cathie Black Narrated by Bernadette Dunne

Overview

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. Throughout the audiobook, Cathie offers fascinating glimpses of media and business personalities, but at the core of it are her candid, personal stories. BASIC BLACK 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.

Editorial Reviews

Cathie Black doesn't consider herself a workaholic, but you'd never guess that from her accomplishments. As the president of Hearst Magazines, the world's largest publisher of monthly periodicals, she oversees 133 international editions in more than 100 countries. It's no wonder that this happily married mother of two has been dubbed the First Lady of American Magazines and makes perennial appearances on Forbes's "World's 100 Most Powerful Women" list. How does she do it? Basic Black explains how she choreographs what she calls "the 360 degree life," an optimal blend of workplace achievement and personal tranquility. Black draws on personal stories and back-to-basics tips about workplace situations and opportunities. To add insights and brighten the mix, she shares first-person stories from well-connected friends, including Rupert Murdoch, Oprah Winfrey, Gloria Steinem, Francis Ford Coppola, and Harvey Weinstein.

Publishers Weekly

Media mogul Black, president of Hearst Magazines (Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Harper's Bazaarand O), delivers a memoir masquerading as a guide to career and life. Enthusiastic and hard-working, Black was one of the first women to take a major role in American magazine and newspaper publishing. She came to Hearst by way of New York magazine, where she was the first woman publisher of a weekly consumer magazine, and USA Today, which she helped build from a small upstart into one of the country's most widely read daily papers. Though she positions herself as a role model for professional women, her advice is slim and scattershot. The book mainly consists of anecdotes from her working life and fawning praise for Al Neuharth, retired chairman and CEO of newspaper publisher Gannett Co. and her unofficial mentor. It's an interesting portrait of a groundbreaking career, but Black backs up her own story with only a note or two of advice, waiting until nearly the end of the book to tackle what she originally claims is her main point: the "360 Life," or the difficulty of balancing work with personal life. While the author's life is an interesting one, readers looking for tips will do better with a more pointed book. (Oct.)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

From the Publisher

Basic Black does a great job of telling the story of how Cathie deftly navigated the challenges of the workplace and the media business, while also trying to balance the demands of a busy life. Her practical tips on handling typical workplace situations make this an important read for any woman who wants to become a better colleague, a better leader ... and a better person.”
—Meg Whitman, President & CEO, eBay Inc.

"Bravo for Basic Black! After reading this book, I understand more than ever why Cathie Black is the huge success she is today. She’s totally fearless! She shares her triumphs, but perhaps best of all, she shares her mistakes so that we can learn from them. I love her candor. Whether you're starting your career or going full throttle, you will benefit from Cathie's insights into business—and life. Basic Black is a true must-read.
—Gayle King, editor-at-large of O, The Oprah Magazine

"I’m a big Cathie Black fan–in part because we both believe that where you come from in no way determines where you can get to. If you think it, you can create it.Cathie’s career is living proof of that and her experiences, both professional and personal, make for fascinating reading. The life lessons in these pages are smart, true, and reassuring, no matter where you are in your career."
—Suze Orman, author of Women and Money and The Nine Steps to Financial Freedom

"Cathie Black is exactly the kind of mentor every woman needs: a talented executive at the top of her game willing to tell it like it really is. Imagine having a private lunch with one of the most powerful women in business, and then feast on her wonderful book. Basic Black is among the very best insider accounts of how to succeed as a leader."
—Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Harvard Business School professor and author of Confidence and America the Principled

"Cathie Black demystifies the workplace with her typical brand of pragmatic insight and engaging humor. Basic Black provides a practical guide to the traits we see demonstrated by our greatest leaders at GE—-passion, drive, attitude, risk taking, and the ability to nurture and develop great talent. I had fun reading Basic Black, and thought to myself...This is someone I would like to work for."
—Jeffrey R. Immelt, Chairman and CEO, GE

"As every woman needs basic black in her wardrobe, she also needs Basic Black on her bookshelf. This is the perfect handbook on getting ahead while staying true to yourself."
—Donna Karan, Designer

JUN/JUL 08 - AudioFile

A tasteful blend of solid advice and personal stories, this fast-moving audio by the president of Hearst Magazines speaks to the heart about what it takes to thrive at the highest corporate level. The confidence reflected in illustrations from her career is startling at times but is expressed without arrogance or combativeness. Her advice on understanding corporate politics, being paid what you’re worth, and moving beyond personal minefields and misogyny is steady and uplifting. Black is not a professional reader by any stretch, but the message in her writing is so inspiring and her wisdom so pervasive that the sound of her voice becomes soothing and makes the listener wish for more. T.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172135514
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	10/23/2007
Edition description:	Unabridged

Read an Excerpt

Chapter 1
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Basic Black"
by .
Copyright © 2008 Cathie Black.
Excerpted by permission of The Crown Publishing Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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