(24)The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

When I write a book review, I really try to remain objective and not say anything that could potentially be construed as insulting or that could hurt the author's feelings. Just because I do not like a book they have written does not mean they are bad people. So I try not to get "personal" with the author, if that makes sense?

The rules change though when the book is an autobiography. Or in this case a "How (NOT) To" manual. The author put her and her life out there to be judged, because of that I am not going to hold back. Based on what Amy Chua wrote about her life and her parenting skills in her book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, I am going to just put it out there. She is a raging bitch. I do not like Amy Chua. I do not like the way she makes sweeping generalizations about the Chinese and "Westerners". I do not like her superiority complex. Most of all, I do not like the way she talks to her children. No, to use "talk" is generous. She screamed, yelled, belittled, insulted, and mocked her children. And then she wrote a book about it.

This book has had a lot of press. From what I saw in those interviews and what I read in this book, Amy Chua won't care what I write. If she reads this post, I am sure she will just mock me, call me some degrading name, and I even imagine a little snort, as she moves on. I don't care. I know that *I* will never call my young child "Garbage", I know that *I* would never reject a homemade birthday card from my child, I know that *my* children will always feel loved, cherished, supported, and accepted in their family. Ms. Chua may be the over-educated law professor, but that knowledge of her parenting skills leave *me* with the superiority complex.

This book infuriated me on so many levels. That moment, in Russia, when Lulu put HER foot down was one of the most gratifying moments I have ever had reading a book. I was proud of her and just wanted to reach through the pages and give her a hug. Read at your own risk, I promise you will find your blood pressure rising.