Born in London, and having lost his grandmother, father and mother in 11 months at the age of 15, Hanks, a graduate of the prestigious Dartmouth College, model, actor and former professional basketball player, describes how following the direction of strong women still enabled him to fulfill his dreams. With references to celebrities Oprah, Maya Angelou, Jackie McCullough, Germaine Greer, Yanna Darili, Victoria Beckham, Barbara Walters and others, Hanks lists over 30 traits which these women of excellence embody. Are you A Woman of Excellence or A Needy Woman? Additionally, while discussing The Hook Up phenomenon, Hanks poses and answers the central question of the 2000s, who has the power? Is it Sex In The City's Samantha or the woman who chooses to focus on her career: "happy if a man comes along and quite frankly, very happy if a man doesn't come along?" Entertaining, thought-provoking and certain to cause controversy, "The Great Lie" stands "as a polemic encased in a work of art."