Synopses & Reviews
In the first book to document that American women are drinking more often than ever, and in ever-larger quantities, journalist Gabrielle Glaser explores the reasons behind this hiding-in-plain-sight epidemic
—and why the most common remedy for it, enrollment in AA, is particularly ineffective.Gabrielle Glaser began noticing a shift in culture after the birth of her third child, when friends and neighbors dropped off baby clothes—and loads of wine. One note said, "One bottle for you, one to share." Why, Glaser wondered, would she drink a bottle of wine by herself? She was nursing, for God's sake. But alcohol—and wine, in particular—is an acceptable, legal way for women to muscle through their lives, whether they are postfeminist breadwinners or stay-at-home mothers. It's a drug women can respectfully use in public and in private, even if it carries the risk of taking them under.
Women of all ages are drinking more, while men's alcohol use is staying the same. They are hitting the bottle to ease pressure from work, the stress of teething toddlers, the anxiety of trying teenagers, and the guilt of aging, faraway parents. Young women pound shots of tequila; women in their thirties, forties, and fifties guzzle secret bottles of wine as they cook dinner; and even senior citizens say they regularly down more than four drinks at one sitting several times a month. Between 1992 and 2007, the number of middle-aged women who entered alcohol treatment programs nearly tripled. In this book, Glaser investigates the problem and traces the history of women and alcohol in America, leading up to today when, for the first time, women are beginning to question the common prescription for abuse: AA.
Glaser shows how this problem is beginning to be aired in public, just as a new kind of treatment tailored to women’s bodies and psyches is taking hold. Her Best-Kept Secret is a meticulously researched, eye-opening look into an ever-growing affliction that cannot be ignored.
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"That so many American women stand at the edge of a liquid cliff is a surprising and scary problem that Gabrielle Glaser illuminates powerfully. For those who have a loved one standing there, you will find hope here."
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"Her Best-Kept Secret
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and#8220;An important addition to feminist literature that calls upon women to reject a spurious equality and#8216;whose consequences in broken families, broken hearts, and broken futures, are all too realand#8217; and face up to the problem of alcohol dependency before it takes over their lives.and#8221;
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"Insightful and provocative."
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"Her Best-Kept Secret
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and#8220;Glaser has written an engaging account of women and drink, citing fascinating studies about modern stressorsand#8230;and evidence that some problem drinkers can learn moderationand#8230;.Bound to stir controversy.and#8221;
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and#8220;A well-researched look into the differences between how men and women drink, what their motivations are for drinking, and how they should cope with drinking problems.and#8221;
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"Her Best-Kept Secret
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and#8220;With humor, thoughtfulness and skillful research, Glaser paints a picture of mature female drinking today. Youand#8217;ll see yourself or your friends on almost every page.and#8221;
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"Her Best-Kept Secret
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and#8220;Glaser approaches [her topic] with investigative rigor and thoughtful analysis.and#8221;
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"Her Best-Kept Secret
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"Her Best-Kept Secret
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"Her Best-Kept Secret
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"Her Best-Kept Secret
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"Her Best-Kept Secret
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andlt;divandgt;"Insightful and provocative."andlt;/divandgt;
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andlt;divandgt;"andlt;iandgt;Her Best-Kept Secret
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and#8220;[A] substantial book, interested in hard facts and nuance rather than hand-wringing. . . . Glaser makes a persuasive case that Alcoholics Anonymous, which enjoys a near monopoly in the recovery sphere, is structurally and functionally unsuited to many women.and#8221;
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and#8220;Insightful and provocative.and#8221;
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and#8220;andlt;iandgt;Her Best-Kept Secret andlt;/iandgt;reveals the existence of an epidemic with profound implications for women and their loved ones. This compassionate yet authoritative book explains why millions of ordinary women are turning to alcohol to handle the strains of daily lifeand#8212;and what they can do about it.and#8221;
Synopsis
In the first book to document that American women are drinking more often than ever, and in ever-larger quantities, journalist Gabrielle Glaser explores the reasons behind this hiding-in-plain-sight epidemic
—and why the most common remedy for it, enrollment in AA, is particularly ineffective.Gabrielle Glaser began noticing a shift in culture after the birth of her third child, when friends and neighbors dropped off baby clothes—and loads of wine. One note said, "One bottle for you, one to share." Why, Glaser wondered, would she drink a bottle of wine by herself? She was nursing, for God's sake. But alcohol—and wine, in particular—is an acceptable, legal way for women to muscle through their lives, whether they are postfeminist breadwinners or stay-at-home mothers. It's a drug women can respectfully use in public and in private, even if it carries the risk of taking them under.
Women of all ages are drinking more, while men's alcohol use is staying the same. They are hitting the bottle to ease pressure from work, the stress of teething toddlers, the anxiety of trying teenagers, and the guilt of aging, faraway parents. Young women pound shots of tequila; women in their thirties, forties, and fifties guzzle secret bottles of wine as they cook dinner; and even senior citizens say they regularly down more than four drinks at one sitting several times a month. Between 1992 and 2007, the number of middle-aged women who entered alcohol treatment programs nearly tripled. In this book, Glaser investigates the problem and traces the history of women and alcohol in America, leading up to today when, for the first time, women are beginning to question the common prescription for abuse: AA.
Glaser shows how this problem is beginning to be aired in public, just as a new kind of treatment tailored to women’s bodies and psyches is taking hold. Her Best-Kept Secret is a meticulously researched, eye-opening look into an ever-growing affliction that cannot be ignored.
Synopsis
Whatand#8217;s the first thing many women do when they go home? Make a dash for the white wine in the refrigerator.andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;In Her Best-Kept Secret, journalist Gabrielle Glaser uncovers this hidden-in-plain-sight drinking epidemicand#8212;but doesnand#8217;t cause you to recoil in alarm. She is the first to document that American women are drinking more often than ever and in ever larger quantities. And she is the first to show that contrary to the impression fostered by reality shows and Gossip Girl, young women alone are not driving these statisticsand#8212;their moms and grandmothers are, too. But Glaser doesnand#8217;t wag a finger. Instead, in a funny and tender voice, Glaser looks at the roots of the problem, explores the strange history of women and alcohol in America, drills into the emerging and counterintuitive science about that relationship, and asks: Are women really getting the help they need? Is it possible to come back from beyond the sipping point and develop a healthy relationship with the bottle?andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt;Glaser reveals that, for many women, joining Alcoholics Anonymous is not the answerand#8212;it is part of the problem. She shows that as scientists and health professionals learn more about womenand#8217;s particular reactions to alcohol, they are coming up with new and more effective approaches to excessive drinking. In that sense, Glaser offers modern solutions to a very modern problem.
About the Author
Gabrielle Glaserandlt;Bandgt; andlt;/Bandgt;is the author of andlt;iandgt;Strangers to the Tribe andlt;/iandgt;and andlt;iandgt;The Nose, andlt;/iandgt;and a journalist whose work has appeared in andlt;iandgt;The New York Times, Mademoiselle, The Economistandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Glamour, The Washington Post, andlt;/iandgt;and andlt;iandgt;Health, andlt;/iandgt;among other publications.