Iron Butterflies is primarily written for women and about women in positions of power. Which is not to say that there isn't anything in this book for men, just that men are not the primary audience. That focus is something that is covered early on in author and researcher Birute Regine's introduction.

That said, the book is very well written and one I am glad I had the chance to review. The very fact that it isn't written for men is another reason for men to read it -- so long as they are willing to listen to what it has to say.

The book strikes a balance between research and the anecdotal as it works through each chapter's main point. This allows the theory and the ideas to be grounded in something concrete in the lives of the 60 successful women whose lives are explored. Along the way, it looks skillfully both at how things are in the world today, and how things can work when done differently from the norm. Sometimes, it uses anecdotes to point out the flaws in the status quo.

The chapters build on each other and work together to support the central theme of the book. This may also come back to why the book is primarily written for women, because part of that theme looks at what they can bring to the table when they are in touch with who they are. And the conclusion is pretty convincing, that there is so much that can be brought to the table and a balance between genders would be beneficial for all.

There were moments here where I disagreed with Regine's interpretations, although I could see where she was coming from and the supporting logic filled the gaps in so they made sense. Iron Butterflies isn't just a good read, it also points in directions where we can change to make the world around us a better place to live.