Warrior Lessons - by Phoebe Eng (Paperback)

About the Book

Eng, as both guide and mentor, offers practical, empathetic wisdom in 12 lessons that address the range of issues which Asian-American women face, including dealing with family expectations, building trust, and dealing with the "geisha girl" stereotype.

Book Synopsis

Welcome to the world of the modern Asian American woman, where the willingness to cause "trouble"--to stir the waters, think deeply, and go against what is expected--is the first of many steps to self-discovery and power. Now, Phoebe Eng shatters stereotypes and offers a bold new vision for American-raised daughters like herself.

A second-generation eldest daughter, caught between cultures, codes of behavior, and colliding worlds, Eng had to learn that in order to be true to herself, conflict and tough choices were necessary. But with those, she found, came a wonderful payoff: the doors to opportunity flew open.

Serving as both guide and mentor, Eng addresses the range of issues Asian American women face, including:

-How can we deal with family expectations?
-What is "false power" and how do we recognize it in our lives?
-Can we trust one another?
-How do we build healthy relationships in the face of "geisha girl" stereotypes?
-How can we find a sense of "home"?

Warrior Lessons signifies a generation and goes far beyond the limiting portrayal of what Eng calls "The Good Little Model Minority Girl." At last, here is a manual for today's woman warrior as she channels her rage and cultivates her power.

From the Back Cover

Welcome to the world of the modern Asian American woman, where the willingness to cause "trouble" -- to stir the waters, think deeply, and go against what is expected -- is the first of many steps to self-discovery and power. Now, Phoebe Eng shatters stereotypes and offers a bold new vision for American-raised daughters like herself.

A second-generation eldest daughter, caught between cultures, codes of behavior, and colliding worlds, Eng had to learn that in order to be true to herself, conflict and tough choices were necessary. But with those, she found, came a wonderful payoff: the doors to opportunity flew open.

Serving as both guide and mentor, Eng addresses the range of issues Asian American women face, including:
-- How can we deal with family expectations?
-- What is "false power" and how do we recognize it in our lives?
-- Can we trust one another?
-- How do we build healthy relationships in the face of "geisha girl" stereotypes?
-- How can we find a sense of "home"?

WARRIOR LESSONS signifies a generation and goes far beyond the limiting portrayal of what Eng calls "The Good Little Model Minority Girl". At last, here is a manual for today's woman warrior as she channels her rage and cultivates her power.

Review Quotes

Pasadena Star-News (CA) Phoebe Eng lifts the silken veil of stereotype from the marginal world of Asian American women.

Publishers Weekly Unique....In a natural, intelligent voice, Eng provides excellent advice while serving as a superb role model for younger Asian American women striving to come into their own.

The New York Times Phoebe Eng has used the knowledge and credentials of her legal training to battle the stereotype of the super-feminine, subservient Asian woman.

Eric Liu author of The Accidental Asian In a clear and true voice, Phoebe Eng sings of the power that flows from self-knowledge. The universal lessons of Warrior Lessons will awaken women and men alike; Asian Americans and all Americans.

Harriet Lerner, Ph.D. author of The Dance of Anger With unflinching clarity and heart, Phoebe Eng offers validation, hope, and a path for authenticity, transformation, and action for Asian American women. Beyond that, she gives all readers a soaring sense of possibility as she gently provokes us to become truth-tellers and troublemakers in the most exemplary and honorable ways.

Helen Zia contributing editor, Ms. magazine An important book for all women, Warrior Lessons does more than remind us that to change the world, we must change ourselves; Warrior Lessons shows us how.

Mary Pipher author of Reviving Ophelia I recommend this book to all those interested in women's efforts to find their true selves.

Naomi Wolf author of The Beauty Myth and Promiscuities At last, an exploration of growing up gifted, female, and Asian American that takes on every stereotype. Phoebe Eng's is a thoughtful, honest voice that is long overdue.

Margaret Cho Amazing and inspiring.

Margaret Cho Exhilarating in its honesty, like those first acts of defiance against family and tradition. As Asian women, we need to thank Eng, master cartographer, for the map of our lives.

About the Author

Phoebe Eng, a former corporate attorney who practiced in New York, Hong Kong, and Paris, is a past publisher of A. Magazine, the highly acclaimed national magazine for Asian Americans. She is a national lecturer and director of The Different Mirror, which advised the U.S. Department of Justice, the Ford Foundation, the Urban League, Fortune 500 companies, media and technology groups, and universities. An award-winning social activist, Eng was a member of the Ms. Foundation delegation to the 1995 U.N. World Conference on Women in Beijing. She participated in the creation of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, and served as an adviser on several Asian American task forces.