You Can Do It!: The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls

Okay, I'm a guy here. And I can't tell you how many times I've spoken the phrase this book takes for a title to my incredibly accomplished sweetheart who, despite her successes, is never quite confident enough to chase down her dreams. "You can do it!" I've been saying for years. "Look what you've already done!" So when I came across this book and saw that it was an intelligent, results-oriented, motivational manual (it's more than just another "self-help book"), I decided to let someone else have a go at her. At first she rolled her eyes and said, "Nice try, honey." (I also got a kiss for being a thoughtful, if overly optimistic, boyfriend). But then a week later she sheepishly came over to me, sat in my lap, and spoke the words, "I got my first badge." Well, let me just say that it'll be a while before I'm in the doghouse again. My thanks to all the inspiring women who contributed to this kick-in-the-pants bible. From now on I get to say, "SHE DID IT!"

You CAN do the thing you fear! Or the thing you never thought you had time to do. Just use this book as your guide/mentor, and whatever pursuit you've "always wanted to try" becomes possible. Whatever it is you've been longing to do, you'll probably find it in this big, encouraging book, which breaks down goals into small, easily achievable steps. Recommended for girls/women of any age who want to finally get on with DOING the things they've been waiting to try. Reviewer: Linda Painchaud-Steinman, Park Edge Books Side Note: The author of this book was a victim of September 11. She was on flight 93. The details are in the book's poignant introduction (written by her sisters).

I have given this book as a gift a few times and it is an all-time favorite present! I plan to give it again and again to all my friends. So many of us say "I would love to try (blank)" and this book gives you the guidance and inspiration to actually do it! It also gave me ideas to try things I had not considered before. What great fun!

This book rocks. Who wouldn't want a copy of a book that basically encourages you and guides you to do all of those things you've been wanting to do, but felt like you couldn't for one reason or another. I was inspired to sign up for a cooking class with some of my co-workers because I felt like I kept making the same old thing over and over again...we took a class on how to make a four course Vietnamese dinner! It was so much fun and so inspiring to actaully check one of those things off of my I-wish-I-could list. And the best part is, there's a seemingly endless amount of options in the book--so many cool things to do and to learn. It's the perfect kind of book to get a bunch of friends together and do something you've always wanted to do, but never thought you would or could!

Wow, I was really surprised by how helpful and FUN this book is. It gives step by step instructions about how to learn everything from knitting to personal finance to fitness to dance. I love how it's modeled after the girl scout badges. My sisters and I are going to earn badges together! A great inspiration for anyone who thinks they are too busy to try something new.