Synopsis
The number-one plus-size model in the world shares the inspirational story of how she came to accept her size - and even view it as an asset - claiming health and happiness along the way.
At five-foot-eleven and 185 pounds, supermodel Emme is challenging conventional concepts of beauty.
Since her early teenage years, well-meaning relatives encouraged Emme to lose weight. Through the years, she got the message: Happiness could be hers only after she dipped below a certain number on the scale. Not until she began to row crew in college did she come to view size as an asset - an asset that eventually earned her an invitation to the 1984 United States Olympic team trials in Princeton. She began to question assumptions about body image she'd long harbored; only then did she start to lead a happy life.
In True Beauty she recounts her dramatic success story, and discusses overcoming stereotypes through dressing, shopping, dating, relationships, job interviews, travel, and exercise. Developing a positive mental image is critical to developing a positive public image, she writes; one reinforces the other.
Reviews
This combination memoir and self-help manual authored by a successful plus-size model with the assistance of writer Paisner, who collaborated with Montel Williams on Mountain, Get Out of My Way, is addressed to women whose larger shapes do not fit the cultural idea of a trim body. According to Emme, over 60% of American females wear, like herself, a size 12 or larger, but their self-esteem is constantly eroded by media images of thin, super-fit women. She details the sad but engaging story of growing up with a stepfather who constantly badgered her to lose weight. His insensitivity, combined with the untimely death of her mother, plunged her into years of obsessive eating behavior that she overcame by getting involved with crew rowing and building a career. Emme offers larger women some fairly superficial advice on building self-esteem and a positive attitude, as well as more useful information from a model's perspective on improving fitness, posture, makeup and dress.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
In three unique approaches, these books convince their readers to accept and enjoy their size 14-plus bodies. True Beauty is an autobiographical account of Emme, "the world's leading plus-size model." Her well-written story captivates the reader and presents a wonderful example of how a large woman can learn to be healthy, successful, and happy. This book is enjoyable and will appeal to those who like to read a story. In Well Rounded, Lippincott, another successful plus-size model, devises eight steps to follow to become happy with life in a large body. From accepting and enjoying your size (step 1), through getting to know your body (3) and assessing your body's strengths and weaknesses (4) to a discussion of movement and exercise (8), her advice is both practical and esteem-building. Each step includes a toolbox of activities to perform. This book will appeal to those who want an outline or guide explaining how to achieve their goal. Therapist Erdman (Nothing To Lose, HarperSanFrancisco, 1995) presents ideas to help women accept and enjoy their large bodies. Each page consists of an idea, a brief paragraph describing that idea, an affirmation, and an activity. This book will appeal to those who are searching for an ongoing program of development and reinforcement. All three books include sections for recommended readings and resources. Each will appeal to a different kind of reader, though True Beauty and Well Rounded may be best formatted for libraries.?Elizabeth Caulfield Felt, Washington State Univ. Lib., Pullman
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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