The Power of No

A powerful, patriarchy-defying manifesto that will transform your relationship to saying “no”—from the award-winning writer, founder of Jezebel, and former New York Times "Work Friend" advice columnist

When was the last time you said “no”? Not, I don’t think so, or maybe, or let me think about it; but a full-throated “NO”? And how often do you agree to do things you don’t want to do? Most of us—especially those who don’t wield traditional modes of power, or, at least, not as much relative to others—often find ourselves navigating around “no” and landing on “okay” or “sure” instead.

The Power of No releases us from our white-knuckled grip on agreeability. In this eclectic yet empowering book, Atlantic contributing writer Anna Holmes explores why it’s difficult for many of us to utter that two-letter word on its own, through an idiosyncratic mix of searing analysis, expert-led research, and stirring insights from the likes of Charlotte Brontë to Shonda Rhimes. From the linguistic, to the societal, to the psychological—from our impressionable childhood to the revelations of middle age—to sex, desire, and bodily autonomy, Holmes playfully traces how “no” shapes our lives and, if exercised properly, can radically change the way we carry ourselves and move about the world.

Equal parts heartfelt meditation and fiery manifesto, The Power of No is a call to embrace the invigorating truth that “no” is a complete sentence.