The Savvy Woman's Success Bible by Tina Santi Flaherty and Kay Iselin Gilman

Berkley Publishing Group, 317pp,

By SHEILA SULLIVAN

THE word "savvy" American slang, meaning "to know", a corruption of the Spanish sabe usted, or "you know" - is not heard frequently on this side of the pond. But it is used commonly in Manhattan, where it is beneficial to be savvy to survive.

Two New Yorkers who know the meaning of savvy and who appear to have great jobs, good brains, positive outlooks, nice husbands and multiple homes, have produced The Savvy Woman's Success Bible, subtitled "How to find the right job, the right man, the right life", in that order. It is a self-help book for hacking your way through the corporate jungle to a happier life.

Its authors are experienced, confident, organised women who know when to cut their losses. Tina Santi Flaherty, the first woman vice-president of Colgate Palmolive, has been described as one of the top corporate women in the US. Kay Iselin Gilman, the first woman sportswriter for the New York Daily News, has written a book on professional football.

Neither woman was born with a silver spoon, and both have triumphed over adversity. Ms Flaherty, whose mother died when she was 14, left Memphis, Tennessee, for New York City at age 24 with raised two small children on her own, was divorced twice, and blossomed late in the professional world.

"Why read this book?" the authors boldly ask. Since the 1980s there has been a massive march on Wall Street by women, they write, "beating back the business beast in the underbrush". In the era of "downsizing", competition is stiff and the stakes are high. Hence the need for a bible for aspiring business women, complete with 10 commandments of business success, beginning with "Thou Shalt Learn Thy Corporate Culture" and ending with "Thou Shalt Remember Money is the Bottom Line".

The book is sprinkled with the dos and don'ts of the business world. Do make yourself indispensable, get up with the birds, keep cool, be flexible, put your boss in the best possible light. The don'ts are more colourful. "Never show too much flesh at company parties", don't "falsify your credentials," and, my favourite, "Don't wave your knife and fork around when you're speaking" at a business lunch.

The first and strongest section, "The Right Job", is authoritative and useful for both men and women. The authors suggest making an honest self- appraisal of strengths and weaknesses. Aim to be paid for what you do well and what you like to do. They advocate networking - consultants estimate that more than 70 per cent of jobs are obtained by word of mouth. And they recommend writing short CVs. Money magazine says interviewers spend an average of just 30 seconds reading a resume.

In the middle section, "The Right Man", the discussion deteriorates. Savvy women readers, be warned. The basic advice, to avoid "guys" who attack your self-esteem", is OK. But the chapters, "Thirteen Ways to Lose Your Man" (having no food in the refrigerator is one way), "Ten Terrific Turn-ons" and "How to Keep Your Man Forever", are demeaning, and absurd.

The final section, "The Right Life", concerns issues of style, fashion, entertaining, finance, and choosing the right doctor and health care (a big issue in the US because of the high cost). The good advice applies equally to men and women.

The authors have made an earnest attempt to skim the fat and create an encouraging guidebook for young, single career women in the big city who want to make big bucks. They write sensibly on safe sex, sexual harassment in the workplace, and coping with crisis and emotional distress. There is a great piece of advice for women seeking a raise: do not accept "psychic income" - compliments instead of cash.

Yet, in this Madison Avenue world of power suits, perfect coiffurs and matching handbags and shoes, there appears to be no room for motherhood and children. There is not a single mention of pregnancy, childbirth, maternity leave, or child care. Some of the biggest concerns ultimately facing women in the workplace have been airbrushed out of this bible, and the working mother who reads this book, having defined "savvy", is left to redefine "success"