After getting one-upped by a Machiavellian coworker, I decided to hone my own Machiavellian skills for preventative measures. But of course, Machiavelli's gameplay was designed exclusively for men desiring power. As eternal as its strategic wisdom was, much of his book is inapplicable to me. Finally, here is a strategy book addressing women, discussing rules applicable to women.

Writing as "Machiavella," Rubin enlightens us from her firsthand observations as a woman in the male-dominated corporate world. Like Machiavelli offering the wisdom of his experience for "The Prince," Machiavella directs her counsel to the "Princessa". A Princessa, according to Machiavella, is simply any woman who would fight for what she most heartfully desires. Machiavella's assertions are founded on the belief that the very psychological, physical, and elementary traits differentiating women from men are the very tools for victory. Women's success is exclusively a female thing. Once women discover the potency hidden in their female traits, they can employ them to become more successful, happier and more fulfilled - most importantly, on their terms.

Machiavella helps the Princessa to set her sights on a vaster realm than Machiavelli with his Prince. With Machiavelli, his strategy was limited in its objective to seize power. Perhaps that's enough for leaders of state or sovereigns. But for the modern, everyday woman, desirable objectives come in countless other shapes - the victory of shattering that proverbial glass ceiling; the victory over a straying lover; the victory in both family and career life; the victory of dictating one's own life as an autonomous, freestanding being. And then some. It's laborous enough to get ahead for any human being - things don't just happen by themselves for people, women not exempt. And thankfully, Machiavella addresses these modern female objectives.

Be prepared to think for yourself, as this book doesn't lay out strategies plainly like Machiavelli does. In fact, don't read with the expectation of Machiavella disclosing strategies. Quite a bit of the book reads more like a pep talk than a book of strategy. While it was effective in galvanizing this reader into action, you'll have to read inbetween here and there to glean tangible strategy plans. But enjoy the pep talk - in any cerebral battle, getting pepped is half the warplan, and Rubin is wise to show awareness of that.

Take care that some of her advice is also difficult to take without a grain of salt. It seems that at times she overemphasizes the plan for a woman to play up her feminine traits. For example, advising that one can cry in the workplace to get ahead might be counterproductive to a woman struggling to be regarded as a professional. But then again, the innovative minds of the world never went anywhere displaying mediocre behavior. It may be up to you to test these theories out.

All in all, this is a worthwhile read. Don't underestimate it, extract its nutritious parts for yourself. This book is actually used in several business and Ivy League university curriculums in the US, which may attest to the value of its advice.

Recommended: Yes