Lady. Let"s face it: the word inspires a host of associations" many of which call to mind the powdered-and-corseted characters in a Merchant-Ivory film, or tea-sipping debutantes in gloves and pearls. That is, until now. Enter The Art and Power of Being a Lady" the book that brushes the cobwebs off and makes "lady" something every girl and woman will want to be called-whether her role model is Audrey Hepburn, Rosa Parks, Oprah Winfrey, Billie Jean King, Madeleine Albright, Lauryn Hill or Mia Hamm. In an era when looking out for one another and taking the high road is too often forgotten in the quest for wealth and popularity, authors Noelle Cleary and Dini von Mueffling saw the need for a new and modern standard of behavior for women-a standard that takes into account our independence, our new challenges, and our evolving attitudes toward sex, work, and our places in the world. One part Miss Manners, another part Xena Warrior Princess, today"s lady is kind and considerate without being a doormat. She speaks up for what she believes in without being a bully. She is sexy without being vulgar. She has great style but is never superficial. She gives back without asking for kudos. The Art and Power of Being a Lady addresses a wide range of circumstances and subjects-from modern manners to romance, friendship, style, social responsibility and the workplace-with humor and a keen eye to the real challenges women face today. Any woman who can juggle all that and achieve that graceful balance deserves a moniker worthy of her efforts. From now on, that word is lady.