Book Reviews

The Woman's Guide to Online Services was the first book about the Net especially for women (the publisher's idea, not mine). It was equally useful to men, because it was about how to make the Internet and commercial online networks useful in day-to-day life. And it was definitely not dumbed-down.

When it was published by McGraw-Hill in the fall of 1995, less than 25% of people online were women. The next year was when logging on became mainstream, and now about 51% of people online are women, which reflects the demographics of the American population. Judith likes to think that this book and all the radio interviews and speeches she did in 1995 and 1996 helped just a bit in making that happen. Here's how reviewers described her book in magazine and newspaper reviews, all of which were favorable:

Who Said What

"Judith Broadhurst has written the essential one-stop handbook to online services for women and she's done it with intelligence, grace and wit." — Amy Bernstein, U.S. News and World Report

"The Woman's Guide to Online Services has taken a very broad subject and jammed it into about 400 pages. All things considered — a lack of available data and research regarding women online and a mega-subject to tackle — Judith Broadhurst has accomplished an amazing feat.... She has a very non-tech, jargon-free voice... Perhaps the most enlightening aspect of this book is its psycho-social-cultural component. It looks at some deeper questions.... Overall, it's a great book for women who haven't been online yet, and refreshing for those of us who have. It's inspiring, motivating, and an all-around two-thumbs up accomplishment." — BG, The Net

"Whether man or woman, if you've been looking for a guide that's frank, concise and accurate, here it is.... Instead of merely lifting material from online or other sources, Broadhurst has invested part of her life traversing electronic routes. That expenditure becomes obvious by her savvy reports.... Even those people who have spent a large amount of time on computers may get some enjoyment from reading Broadhurst's sound and sometimes cutting opinions about online issues and online services."
— Frank Ruiz, "Home Tech," Tampa Tribune

"It had to happen. The shelves abound with books inviting kids, genealogists, and business types online, so why not women? Judith Broadhurst jumps the first major hurdle — she's not boring. A good writer, the author combines interviews with wry observations to make her book stand out from the crowd.
— Sharon Kahn, December 1995 Book Reviews in Online Today magazine, CompuServe

"Written by a woman with women in mind, this groundbreaking book provides a fresh perspective....  Focusing on a wide range of subjects that affect and interest women, from career and politics to marriage and family, this guide zeros in on concrete ways to use online services to solve problems and enrich your life."  — Amazon.com

"Mixed in with these practical details are experiences from women across the nation who use the virtual community to enhance their lives. Broadhurst makes the online world seem less intimidating by showing the reader how to complete typical and useful transactions, such as how to find and file tax forms, seek investment or legal help, study health concerns, plan vacations (everything from destination descriptions to subway maps), and so on. This guide can help alleviate the fears of cyberphobic females and recommend additional resources for those who are already computer literate. — Jennifer Henderson, American Library Association

Here's the rabble-rousing Preface and Intro, and here is Judith's favorite chapter (you'll understand why when you read it).

You'll also find some of her feature articles here and in the Recent Articles section, with a few of her personal favorites (irrelevant to the purpose of this site, alas) stashed away under Personal Proclivities.