Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua (2011, Hardcover)

This memoir by a truly insane woman is a wonderful eye-opener for all parents who believe in moderation. Ms. Chua single-handedly turned her daughters' childhood years into a boot camp from hell and passionately proclaims her record as a badge of honor. Midway through the book, it would not be surprising if readers joined forces to organize a rescue party to break the girls out of the Amy Chua cult. Like a train wreck, there is a magnificent compulsion to read and turn pages on the perverted expectation this mentally ill mother would be capable of even worse atrocities. Connecticut Social Services should simply label the book Exhibit "A" and remove the children from Ms. Chua's home and place them in foster care. Never mind the fact foster care situations are legendary for inbred sexual deviant criminals authorized and negligibly supervised by incompetent social workers, the two Chua girls would be better off with state sponsored victimization than the detestable mothering perpetrated by Amy Chua. If Kennedy style full frontal lobotomies were still in style, Ms. Chua's family would be well advised to order one for her. If she would only chill out even a little, there would be some hope, but NO -- whatever Amy wants, Amy gets.

Buy this book. Read it and relax. Nothing you ever did as a parent even comes close to this fruitcake from hell. Just to sleep at night in the aftermath, try to believe the entire volume is a put-on and a long, long joke. I would wish that on the very last page, Ms. Chua wrote, "FOOLED YOU!!"

Good non-fiction book. We read it for book club and many of us had lots to say about the different way children of Chinese descent are raised. Wow! It boarders on really wanting the best for your children and emotional abuse. The children turn out successful but at what expense? Lots of discussion ensued during our book club discussion.

I hadn't planned on reading this, until we adopted our son. Now that he's 18 months, I figured all the help and different views I could get would benefit both of us...Chua seems pretty harsh by our standards but you can't argue with the results..Both her daughters were very successful. I don't think I could ever be that strict. Her children were expected to do things and play certain insturments, but I think I would rather our choose his own interest. I do agree with her to keep the child focused, and even to eliminate some of the outside influences. I am going to take bits and pieces from the book to incorporate in our son's raising...I would like him to play the piano and/or the vilion though...Or drums!

This is an excellently written book which keeps you engaged the entire time. My boyfriend and I couldn't put the book down, and had hours of discussions about the book. I'd recommend to anyone else who is interested in learning about "Chinese parenting styles." GREAT BOOK!

Excellent book on parenting. Even if you have doubts on the type of parenting described, you should read this book for some perspective.