Editorial Review

Everything will be okay ... once you admit that Dr. Laura's always right. This companion volume to the radio advice factory's 1994 bestseller (which tackled the stupid things women do) serves up plenty of the no-nonsense, old-fashioned morality that her legions of listeners love. Brutally reductive--but not necessarily wrong--this book chalks up men's problems to trying to save "damsels in distress," refusing to admit to a healthy dependence on others, climbing the career ladder to the detriment of your relationships, denying the duty and pleasure of child-rearing, and many others. Whatever your personal reaction to her brassy, unapologetic style, Dr. Schlessinger is a refreshing antidote to the wishy-washy "everything's relative and everyone's different" trend that held sway for a time. Read more

Reviews (34)

Classic Dr. Laura
I bought this book several years ago but only recently got around to reading it. I kept telling myself I would read it when I started to get the hankering to get married. Well, that time is here, so I pulled it out and read it. It is classic Dr. Laura all the way. I've been a very big fan of hers and have listened to her radio show off and on for the last 10 years! So I pretty much already know where she is coming from. I skipped over the chapters for men already married since it didn't apply to me. Since they pulled her radio show off the air here in my home town, this is the only thing I have left to guide me by. I will come back to it for the times when I feel like I need to hear what she has to say on certain "guy" issues. Always nice to have a woman's view on guy issues. Definetley a keeper.

Chapter one should be required reading for every 14-year-old
Brought up in a strong Christian tradition, I felt obligated and eager to give whenever asked and pretty much offered myself as a sacrifice for whomever came along...espcecially the Damsel in Distress.Such attitudes brought me to a place of usefulness in my career (physician) but also exposed me to the "Stupid Chivalry" trap.I lost a few fortunes and much sleep before I finally got slammed hard enough to be a little more careful with offering myself and the fruits of my labor.This book helped me see when I was about to make a useful sacrifice and when I was about to waste time or money (Stupid Chivalry) that might be better directed toward another person (How to know when I'm playing the Knight and when I'm playing the Fool).
An Excellent Educational Tool
Like the book for women, this book is also used as an educational tool in the juvenile facility where I volunteer my time. It is an excellent book for young men to read, and hopefully follow. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Human relations    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Love & Romance    5. Man-woman relationships    6. Men    7. Motivational & Inspirational    8. Psychology    9. Psychology (Specific Aspects)    10. Self-Help    11. Sociology Of Men    12. Gender studies    13. Popular psychology    14. Self-Help & Practical Interests    15. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (2)

Seeing history from an amazing perspective
Reading someone else's old letters can evoke universal feelings and can even bring to life a time before we were born. This is what happens in "Women's Letters: America from the Revolutionary War to the Present," edited by Lisa Grunwald and Stephen J. Adler. In more than 800 pages, the editors compiled women's letters from 1775 up to and including the current war in Iraq. The letter writers include slave owners, slaves, politicians, movie stars, moms and daughters. There are love letters, a "last will and testament" and eyewitness accounts of historic events. For me, the most unusual was from Marilyn Monroe, who taped a handwritten note to her stomach before having her appendix out, begging her doctor to "cut as little as possible." I also got caught up in the World War II letters from a Japanese American wife housed in a separate internment camp from her husband. This is a fascinating way to see America through its cultural and political changes and observe the changing roles of women.

A social history shaped through the correspondence of women
Lisa Grunwald and Stephen J. Adler, the powerhouse couple behind LETTERS OF THE CENTURY --- and now WOMEN'S LETTERS --- make history both accessible and captivating, presenting it in the format of correspondences written throughout our nation's history. With this epistolary approach Grunwald and Adler illuminate the events that molded and defined America.
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Subjects:  1. Correspondence    2. History    3. Letters    4. Letters And Correspondence    5. Literary Collections    6. Literature: Classics    7. Pictorial works    8. Sociology    9. Sources    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. Women    13. Women In The U.S.    14. Women's Studies - General    15. Women's Studies - History    16. Literary Criticism & Collections / Letters   

Reviews (90)

A Refreshing Way of looking at love
The Mastery of Love" is an enjoyable, easy read that you can finish in an afternoon or evening. How true it is that when children are young they express whatever they feel and act on impulse. By the time we are
blew me away
I read the 4 Agreements and loved it and even took a seminar series on it.Then I stumbled across this book!It is fantastic!It is a roadmap on how to be happy, how to experience heaven right now (love yourself unconditionally.You will be happy any time your love is flowing to others).Simple concepts but I didn't know them.I typically underline when I read non-fiction so I can quickly review the salient points later on... in this case I might as well plan to read the whole book again, as just about every page has enlightening thoughts.Wow, I am still reeling from the power presented by Don Miguel!Read this book!!!Best book I have read in years, maybe decades! And I am an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction.I liked best the allegory about the magical kitchen (if you have unlimited quality and quantity of food yourself (ie. love for yourself), you will not need to bargain with others for theirs.You will be content and able to just love others (unconditional love!)

Mastery of Love
My sophomore year of high school I was very sad--depressed is more likely--and I had been for over a year. I didn't know quite what to do, but I was beginning to turn much of that into anger (i.e. I listened to bands like Reagan Youth, Crass and the Subhumans). I found this book on Amazon as I was browsing, and I decided I wanted to read it. As things turned out, I was talking with a friend of a friend, mentioned it, and she said she had it and would let me borrow it. The odds perplexed me, but a couple days later I was reading it, and Miguel Ruiz changed my entire perspective. I cannot forget the weekend I finished it-- I was in a sort of complete emotional and physical shock. That may have been when my meditation practice began, also. For weeks after I could never decide what music to listen to, so I listened to reggae (the likes of the Wailing Souls, Inner Circle, Bob and Ziggy) and also started reading eastern philosophy. Am I straying? I was just explaining the impact I felt at sixteen. As I am a sophomore now in college, I still keep this book with me, and I am about to read it again. Don Miguel's thoughts always enlighten, inspire and ground me inestimably. But I am going to go, to begin this book again. Enjoy, ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family/Marriage    3. General    4. Interpersonal Relations    5. Love    6. Love & Romance    7. Miscellanea    8. New Age (Self Help)    9. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    10. Religious aspects    11. Gender studies    12. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Reviews (47)

Great help!
I read the book and found it very insightful and let my husband read it and what a BIG difference this book has made!! I highly reccomend it!

Please give me more....
I want it.. I want it again.. I want it badly. Thanks to Violet Blue, she is a brilliant author. This book is just amazing. Men need to understand female anatomy which you can find in chapter 3. Oral Seduction was interesting and helpful.
A useful contribution on the subject
As a cunnilingus devotee for several years I have bought other books on it both for the pleasure of reading them and any extra information that will help me pleasure my women this way - they have certainly appreciated it! The books have much common information - as you'd expect- but like this one they have different emphasis and different topics.The investment in buying all the cunnilingus books isn't big - less than $[...]- and is well worthwhile for the spice it will give, both to you as a performer and your woman in the event she is a reluctant receiver.
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Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family/Marriage    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Sexual Instruction    5. Sexuality    6. Women's Studies - General    7. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (4)

A New York Snob Speaks
Nora Ephron is quite sure of herself and her friends, and laughs heartily at the yahoos in the Midwest who cook and love their husbands. While her writing is often amusing, her attitude of condescension and wearying self-glorification is grotesque. And to see her way back at the beginning of the Women's Movement equally sure of how circumstances would improve for women is especially painful. She poo-poohs those who wonder if women's life will actually improve, (and her own "Encounter Group" partners certainly cast doubt upon that) and lives in a world where people such as herself need not be troubled by real life. Funny at times but some material very dated
I enjoyed part of this book.I laughed at a few of her stories but some of the chapters were so dated that I didn't know what she was talking about let alone whether it was funny.Maybe I was a bit too young to appreciate it all.

Love this book
I read this book years ago and bought it again for my daughter.The piece on breasts is just as hilarious and relevant today (sad to say) as it was when I first read it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Feminism    2. Feminism & Feminist Theory    3. Form - Essays    4. General    5. Humor    6. Social Science    7. Sociology Of Women    8. United States    9. Women    10. Women's Studies - General    11. English    12. Humor / General    13. Humour collections & anthologies   

Reviews (19)

My Opinion on In a Different Voice
I thought that I was going to be overwhelmed with feminist views when I first checked this book out of the library; I was rather turned off. But when I started to read, I was intrigued. It was interesting to see the contrast between the different genders.
A Myth is Born
In Psychology, as in other academic disciplines, the normal process is to conduct research on significant numbers of subjects, have the methodology and results peer reviewed, publish the research, then perhaps cross over to mass media.Gilligan has used Harvard's cache to ignore this responsible and time honored protocol.She used tiny samples, reached unwarranted conclusions, rushed them into print on the mass market, and started making the talk show circuit.Now, over 20 years later and after thirty some reprintings, she still has not published her research! Furthermore, she refuses to allow other researchers to see her data!
Good starting point for learning about women's psychology
Originally published in 1982, this book was in its 33rd printing when it was reissued in 1993.It describes the developmental differences between men and women and what that means.Harvard professor Carol Gilligan explains that male development has typically focused on separation, individuation, logic, and hierarchy.Female development, on the other hand, has emphasized attachment, relationship, connection, and communication.I had several "ahas!" while reading this book for the first time in 2003.While I've always discounted some of Sigmund Freud's work, it had never occurred to me that much of traditional psychological theory, including the work of Jean Piaget, Erik Erickson, and Lawrence Kohlberg, has also been based on observations of men, then applied to women.As a result of comparisons to male norms that don't fit their own experience, women have often felt discounted and inferior, rather than simply different.It made sense to me that these comparisons and significant developmental differences often result in women feeling selfish and guilty when focusing on their own needs, rather than those of others.It also fit my experience that men and women tend to respond differently to attachment and separation issues.According to Gilligan, men see danger more often in intimacy than in achievement, while women sense more danger in impersonal and competitive situations.Gilligan's observations have generated quite a bit of controversy over the years (as indicated by some of the previous reviews on this list!), but ring true for many women (including me), and have been used as a stepping stone for the work of many later authors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Developmental Psychology    2. Feminism & Feminist Theory    3. Longitudinal studies    4. Mental Health    5. Moral development    6. Psychology    7. Psychology Of Sexuality    8. Sociology    9. Women    10. Women's Studies - General    11. Philosophy & theory of psychology    12. Popular psychology    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    14. Social, group or collective psychology    15. Women's studies   

Reviews (5)

A book about me
Sexual anorexia
Finally a deeper perspective
After having tried different kinds of books and therapy which mainly is focusing on the technical aspects of sex with little success or progress, I feel that this book really goes behind the technical and offers a more complete explanation as to why some people have a difficult relationship with sex.
Empathetic and brave
This book has been very useful to me. It's written with a good deal of compassion and insight, and even though I think the authors oversimplify some issues, they manage to get near the heart of what makes sex so difficult for many people. The recommended activities are generally weak and none too useful, but that's true of most self-help books. Even the good ones. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Love / Sex / Marriage    2. Psychology    3. Psychopathology - General    4. Self-Help    5. Sexual aversion disorders    6. Sexual disorders    7. Sexuality    8. Complementary Medicine    9. Gender studies    10. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    11. Popular psychology    12. Self-Help / Substance Abuse    13. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (2)

"Our Eastern Affairs are Complex Beyond All Words"
History is useful not only for revealing the past, but also in foreshadowing what the future might hold.In the case of Iraq, this is a very important matter.This book by Liora Likutz, a scholar who is currently at the Truman Institute in Jerusalem, describes the making of modern Iraq through the life of one the two key protagonists who drew its boundaries on the map following World War I.Those two individuals were T.E. Lawrence and Gertrude Bell.While the broad outline of Lawrence's life and exploits in the Middle East are well known to many, Gertrude Bell remains more of a mystery.This book attempts to pull back that veil.Anyone who seeks to understand the currents and tides swirling underneath modern Iraq needs to understand how this country came to be, and the complex life of Gertrude Bell is a good place to start.
Understanding Irak
Facinating and exciting point of view of Irak through Gertrude Bell's life.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Colonial administrators    5. Great Britain    6. Historical - General    7. History    8. History: World    9. Iraq - History    10. Middle East - General    11. Middle East - History    12. Sociology    13. Women    14. Women Middle East specialists    15. Women's Studies - General    16. 20th century    17. Asian / Middle Eastern history: from c 1900 -    18. Asian studies    19. Biography: historical    20. Imperialism    21. Iran   

Reviews (68)

Real Men Read Iron John
This book had been recommended to me for years. Finally, at the suggestion of my samuri sword teacher, I picked it up and read it in long sittings. What I like first and foremost about Iron John is that it combines memoir, translation, poetry, mythology and journalism all in one book and then delivers powerful messages about men's individuation from mother and journey into manhood. It not only provides a new vision of psychology and archetyping, but does so by dissecting the old, cross-culturally familiar "Wild Man." It helped me to better understand men's psychology and their initiation and rituals into manhood. It also provided me with thematic ideas to explore in my own fiction.

As insightful as "Real Men Don't Eat Quiche," but without the humor
In "Iron John," Robert Bly announces that American men are all unhappy because the pressures of civilization have caused them to lose touch with their innate maleness.He illustrates his point with one of the Brothers Grimm's more obscure (and frankly less interesting) stories, interpreting it as an allegory that just happens to prove his point.He also draws heavily on Freudian and Jungian theories.He proves his point in the same way Freud and Jung proved theirs' i.e. by saying "This is what I see, I am the expert, so that makes it true, Occham's Razor be darned."Bly offers no objective evidence to support his positions, nor does he allow room for the possibility of other interpretations or, heaven forbid, that his observations might be wrong.
Reading shouldn't have to be a chore
Once upon a time I was given a vanity-published book to review. It was an illogical mess, full of breathtaking non-sequiturs. While reading "Iron John," I couldn't help thinking of it. The vanity book, however, was at least entertaining.
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Subjects:  1. Gender Psychology    2. Gender Studies    3. General    4. Masculinity    5. Men    6. Men's Studies - General    7. Psychology    8. Sociology Of Men    9. United States    10. Men's studies   

Reviews (29)

we've been Doing It Wrong for decades ~ and EveryOne is
paying a terrible price...
Not worth the money
I bought this book after having my son and because I am an elementary school teacher. I do agree it is easy to read however much of it IS common sense and quite frankly some of the statements turned me off a bit. I almost quit reading the book after the first few pages. For example, the author says boys should NOT be in daycare for the first three years of their lives. I think many working parents, like myself, would find that remark a bit preachy and generalized. I think I know kids pretty well having taught for many years and some of what the author writes had me going, "Whaaaat? That's crazy?!" I should have just saved the money and checked it out at the library instead.

Feminism aside: Boys and Girls have distinct needs during particular developmental stages
Boys are often overlooked as the "touchy feeling" pop psychology movement caters to the self-esteem demands of little girls. The old patriarchal style of treating a little boy like a little man is not much emotional help either. When most mothers dream of a daughter despite having a son, it is no wonder why generations of men have grown up with mother issues that spill over into the gender war. So .... gender politics aside ... here is one way to meet the needs at the heart of boy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boys    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Conduct of life    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Life skills guides    7. Parenting    8. Parenting - General    9. United States    10. Child care & upbringing    11. Gender studies   

Reviews (49)

Great book if your interested
This book is great if you're interested in how Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. came into existence, especially if you are interested in becoming apart of the organization. Another good book is The Divine Nine. Many people believe that there is animosity between DST and AKA because of the creation of DST. That is not so, and if you read this book you will find this to be true.Also, to dispel the complexion/color myth, if you look at the founders of both organizations you will see various, beautiful shades of brown, ranging from tan to sepia. There are pictures in The Divine Nine.

A wonderful Account of the History of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The first time I read this book was Sophomore year of college at Clark Atlanta University.Once I began reading this book I realized that Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is an excellent example of what a sorority should be. The foresight of the founders to chart their own course and to consistently strive for excellence shines through even in the modern day activities of the sorority.Paula Giddings put her heart and soul into this book and it is a must read for anyone who wants to learn about sisterhood at its best.Although I am not a member, I will certainly make Delta Sigma Theta my first and only choice.Kudos to Ms. Giddings for a job well done!

College students do make change in their communities and the country
I was never a Greek, but I read this book because I am familiar with Delta Sigma Theta from their activities at my alma mater, and have enjoyed Paula Giddings's other research about black women's history. Unsurprisingly, I also enjoyed this book. It explains how Delta Sigma Theta provided a critical organizing space for collegiate black women in an era trying to make them choose between the identities and at a time when their being in college itself was a rarity.
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Subjects:  1. African American women    2. Afro-American women    3. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority    4. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    5. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Lifest    6. Ethnic Studies - General    7. Higher    8. History    9. Social Science    10. Societies    11. Societies, etc.    12. Sociology    13. Women In Higher Education    14. Women's Studies - General    15. Black studies    16. Social Science / Ethnic Studies    17. USA   

Editorial Review

It's a rare book that delivers so completely on such a broad promise. Read more

Reviews (20)

MOTHER-DAUGTER WISDOM RESONATES...
...with wisdom and truth. You read her words and know somewhere deep inside that it's true--the connection with our mothers--and the connection with our daughters. This is a wonderful book to give and to receive. Your girlfriends, daughters and sisters will thank you. Sound medical advice and much, much more. MOTHERING-DAUGHTER WISDOM is not only the best in its field, there's little to compare!
Dr. Northrup walks her talk!
I always look to see if an author stands in their truth.If they walk their talk.Dr. Christiane Northrup does.I have read all of her books, Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, The Wisdom of Menopause and now Mother-Daughter Wisdom.They all embody her path to well-being and her knowledge on the subject of women's health. In her book Mother-Daughter Wisdom, she shares her own life experiences from raising two daughters and her expertise as a medical doctor and relates them to health and wellness.I find this book to be a great tool and guide to help mothers raise empowered daughters and a model for a healthy mother-daughter relationship.I have three grown daugthers and would have loved to have had this book when they were growing up.I found out through much trial and error how to raise empowered daughters.Dr. Northrup is a pioneer in our time venturing into these unchartered waters of how mothers and daughters can have a balanced and loving relationship.She addresses the many challenges in our society today facing girls and gives suggestions on how to deal with them in a positive way.She talks about mothers caring and nurturing themselves in order to care for their daughter.This book is also areference book as Dr. Northrup covers from birth to adulthood for the many stages in a mother and daughter's life.Mothers, men, and women without children, would benefit by reading this book to connect with their own legacy with their mother or if raising a daughter.
Mother-Daughter
Looks deep into the souls of mothers and daughters and imparts wisdom for both. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Health and hygiene    2. Mental health    3. Mother-daughter relationship    4. Mothers and daughters    5. Parenting - Motherhood    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Women    9. Women's Studies - General    10. Social Science / Women's Studies    11. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (98)

entertaining but the conclusions are suspect
I enjoyed the book, except when the philosophy major came out. Her conclusions about the secret life of men are silly from the point of view of a lifelong male. However, the story if fun to read.
Tepid
While there was some useful information,this book appeared to be an effort to prove Ms. Vencent's prejudices, rather than the voyge of discovery that it could have been. The author seemed to be searching for the very worst in men, and of course, she found it.The fact that she would join a men's bowling league, when she couldn't bowl was simply amazing.I don't think a man (or most women) would ever consider doing such a thing. In addition to the lack of substance, I feel the book was written in a very unengaging and simplistic style. Overall, it was one of the few books I have bought over the years that I don't believe was worth the money.If you must buy this book, find a used one, or better yet, get it from the library.If I ever see another book written by Ms. Vincent, I will pass.

Thoughtful, honest and painful
One of the best books I've read in decades. This woman writes like a lyricist, digs like an anthropologist and observes like a scientist. She immerses herself in a shockingly foreign world, one we women didn't know existed. Our suspicions about what it's like to be male in America are completely right... and heartbreakingly wrong. Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Gender Psychology    4. Gender Studies    5. Male impersonators    6. Masculinity    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Sex Roles (Sociological Aspects)    9. Sex role    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Women    13. Popular culture    14. Social Science / Gender Studies   

Reviews (2)

Transgender (Studies) Reader
The book arrived promptly. It was needed for a course reserve so the prompt service and delivery were greatly appreciated.

The Essential Text for Trans Issues and Theories.
The depth and breadth of the articles included in this compendium are astounding to say the least. In one large volume the authors have included samples of writings representing the theoretical to the practical and the lived experience in a time line from the 19th century through the present. The Reader gives a sense of our shared history from a wide variety of view points which affirms all of our lives. As a transgendered person and college student, I recommend the The Transgender Reader to anyone looking for clues to our hidden culture and the world we struggle in everyday. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gender Studies    3. General    4. History: World    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Transsexualism    8. Transsexuals    9. Transvestism    10. History / General   

Reviews (11)

Women's Lives, Women's Legacies - a radiant guidebook
I'm a woman who's been blessed with a long and varied life. I've always wanted to share my experiences with my nieces, and to offer them my hard-earned wisdom so that they might move into womanhood a little better informed than I was. I've also had an inner desire to be seen and valued by them. Women's Lives, Women's Legacies - Bravo
Women's Lives, Women's Legacies is a powerful tool to jump-start your own story and to share it with others.I found it thought provocing - answering questions about oneself, one's history, and future a wonderful communication tool.I enjoyed thinking about my naming process, secrets, values, and spirituality. The format of the book could be used in ways most suited to how I saw my own legacy.Being newly married I answered the questions for myself and then asked my husband about himself and his family-I learned new things about both.Whether you are married or single, have children or none, you will find your place is this beautifully written soul-searching book.

Brings forth women's wisdom
I am a writer, counselor, and teacher in my 60's, married for over 40 years, with grown children and one grandchild.So I can recommend this book especially to midlife and older women. This book can help us harvest the fruits of our abundant life experience and share them with a wisdom-starved world.Read more

Subjects:  1. Applied Ethics    2. Authorship    3. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    4. Feminism    5. Genealogy    6. Inspirational    7. Inspirational - Gifts    8. Judaism    9. Judaism - General    10. Philosophy    11. Religious aspects    12. Spirituality - Women's    13. Wills, Ethical    14. Women In Judaism    15. Women's Studies - General    16. Family & Relationships / Interpersonal Relations   

Reviews (17)

Amazing tools to help you become emotionally strong
With all the self-help/self-understanding/relationship books I've read (including Mars and Venus), yours has been the most influential in my life. It has given me the tools I've needed most to be my own person and begin to repair the damage my emotional unavailability has caused for both myself and my (beautiful, wonderful, amazing) wife.

A revelation ... a must read.
This book was a revelation ... finally I understand why my husband behaves the way he does and why I respond to him the way I do ... and why we kept engaging in such a futile dance on a daily basis. In a sense, it's taken us both "off the hook".