Be Fierce

When Carlson walked away from her job as a news anchor for Fox News to fight--and win--her sexual harassment case, she discovered that her story is just one of many that deserves to be told. In steady, measured tones, Carlson digs deep into the history of harassment cases, current laws in place to protect women, and why Human Resources isn't always your friend. At times, Carlson's voice wavers with raw emotion as she recounts her own harassment experience and that of others. She unflinchingly tackles a hot topic, along with its complicated intricacies, and suggests practical steps women can take to stand up for themselves. A deeply moving and relevant listen. E.E. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

September 25, 2017
Former Fox News anchor Carlson (Getting Real) draws from her own experience of being sexually harassed to illuminate an epidemic of inappropriate behavior in the workplace, and to educate women on their rights. Carlson does not elaborate on the events that incited her lawsuit against Fox, but she shares stories of other incidents in her career, such as when a camera man told her how much he enjoyed putting the microphone on her because he got to touch her breasts, along with a slew of examples from other women who contacted her after she came forward. These women include a park ranger who was assaulted by a fellow ranger at a conference and then denied a promotion a week later as a result; a soldier who was asked to pole dance for four others and later had her complaint about the encounter dismissed by her superior officer; and a journalist whom Donald Trump pinned up against the wall and kissed while she was interviewing him over a decade ago. Carlson talks to a civil rights attorney about what people who have been harassed can expect after reporting incidents to human resources, provides data from sociological studies on sexist patterns in the workplace, and explores the complicated machinations of forced arbitration clauses often buried in job contracts. She includes a 12-point plan for handling harassment, outlining how to document incidents and whom to tell and when. Carlson further advises on the need to keep young women safe on college campuses, teach children respectful behavior, and recruit men as allies in the workplace. Though the phrase “When I was Miss America” appears a few too many times, Carlson’s inclusion of her own stories is courageous, and her commitment to making sexual harassment a nonpartisan issue is admirable.