Editorial Review

Relationship counselor John Gray focuses on the differences between men and women--men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, after all--and offers a simple solution: couples must acknowledge and accept these differences before they can develop happier relationships. In this unabridged version, Gray gives a spirited delivery of his message, especially when role-playing typical male/female interactions. Although it takes some time to adjust to his slightly nasal tone, the information is sound and gives both men and women helpful hints on improving themselves and their union. (Running time: 9.5 hours, 6 cassettes) Read more

Reviews (352)

Strategies for dealing with the opposite sex
This book not only explains the differences between men and women but also gives strategies to each sex for dealing with those differences. For example men and women have different values. Men tend to value competence and accomplishments while women tend to value relationships. Women tend to express their caring by offering unsolicited advice that is often causes men to feel incompetent. Women need to express how they feel about their problems, while men interpret this as blaming them for their problems. Men often need time alone to solve their problems while women interpret this as not caring. If everyone practiced the methods in this book the sexes would get along much better. The book, however, is at times dry reading.
You Will Surely See Yourself and Your Spouse in This Book
Once upon a time Martians and Venusians met, fell in love, and had happy relationships together because they respected and accepted their differences. Then they came to Earth and amnesia set in they forgot they were from different planets. Based on years of successful counseling of couples and individuals, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus has helped millions of couples transform their relationships. Now viewed as a modern classic, this phenomenal book has helped men and women realize how different they really are and how to communicate their needs in such a way that conflict doesn't arise and intimacy is given every chance to grow.Don't be too surprised when you are reading this book and you recognize someone and some situation that is eerily like your own.

Confused? Get this book!
There are varying differences between men and women and Mr. Gray takes his time in this book to explain what they are. What I got from it was a new perspective, a new way to understanding what needs to be understood--how to interact with the opposite sex. What's most important is to take the time to actually listen without formualing what you're going to say next. I can see why this book is so popular now. Along with this one, I also recommend "Man Magnet." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Communication    2. Communication in marriage    3. Human relations    4. Interpersonal Communication    5. Interpersonal Relations    6. Love & Romance    7. Love / Sex / Marriage    8. Marriage    9. Self-Help    10. Family & Relationships / General    11. Gender studies    12. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Editorial Review

There is little sugar but lots of spice in journalist Rachel Simmons's brave and brilliant book that skewers the stereotype of girls as the kinder, gentler gender.

Reviews (80)

Girls Need To Make Peace With Conflict
I found this book, "Odd Girl Out," not only helpful but also cathartic. It answered a lot of current questions I have about raising an adolescent daughter by enabling me to go back and visit my own youth and remind me of my own experiences. This book illustrates how easy it is for mothers raising daughters to live vicariously through them and see how it brings out old fears and insecurities. It was a re-education.
Part of the Puzzle, Read It, but Don't Stop Here
You know, this is actually a topic that is near and dear for my heart and it did have a lot of interesting examples and data...but like Fast Girls before it, this reads a lot like someone's research paper and doesn't really delve too far into the history of aggression (in boys or girls) beyond a barest basics that most people probably already know.Simmons also doesn't offer any statistics, she mentions repeatedly that there really isn't any research on this, but I felt like this was just a big book length article that focused on her own personal fascination with the topic and the scope of the book really doesn't go much beyond her own group of interviewees.I was also kind of annoyed by the great deal of repeated information, it's as if in the absence of statistical data to support her theory she just keeps saying the same thing over and over.
Dads and Educators ALSO Need to READ This Book!!!
The book opened my eyes into a girls' world I'd never realized existed. A father, I got the book to understand the social dynamics my daughter navigates. It's like a gardner suddenly discovering that flowers have aromas, weeds have deep roots, and roses have thorns.
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Subjects:  1. Aggressiveness (Psychology)    2. Aggressiveness in children    3. Applied Psychology    4. Developmental - Adolescent    5. Gender Psychology    6. Gender Studies    7. Girls    8. Life Stages - Adolescence    9. Psychology    10. Social Psychology    11. Advice on parenting    12. Child & developmental psychology    13. Organization & management of education    14. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology    15. Social, group or collective psychology    16. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (29)

Very good info but no Christian advice/values
The book has a lot of good information and insight, but lacks severly in Christian values, I suppose since the other is not a Christian this should not have surprised me. I am not overly conservative but still found some of the info way too far to the left. All in all the basics are good and helpful, as long as you can remember to hold to your personal principles.

The best single's book out there!
If you are into self-improvement and healing, this book is for you. I've read tons of single's books the past few years, but this is the one that I keep on coming back to. The childhood assessment resonates with me - it made things clear why I fall in love or gravitate towards people with certain personalities. I've been utilizing Hendrix's concept of putting a moratorium on my singlehood, while using utilitarian dating. Amazingly, I've learned a lot about myself, and also about other people. I particularly love the detailed strategies on how to mirror, show empathy and validate your potential partner's perspective. Very helpful. This book is very good for repeated reading. I highly recommend this to the GLBT community as well as Hendrix asserts that his Imago concept trancends gender differences. I attended a seminar by a gay therapist and this was one of the books he recommended to prepare one's self with dating and relationships - I couldn't agree with him more. I've also started reading "Getting the Love you Want" and can't wait to finish it!
Such a great read!
Going through a divorce, fired from a job where I was top producer, drug through litigation and dealing with a drinking problem was enough to send me into serious overhaul of my life. Not only did I read this book a couple of times, I have several notebooks with all my exercises that I did from the workbook/study guide. And yes...I still go back and read the book every couple of months. When you are ready for improvements in your relationships - get this book!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Human Sexuality    2. Interpersonal Relations    3. Love    4. Love & Romance    5. Love / Sex / Marriage    6. Self-Help    7. Single people    8. Gender studies    9. Marriage, family & other relationships    10. Self-Help & Practical Interests    11. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (21)

Informative...but form your own opinion based on the facts!
I picked this book up at the library and I must say I have been unable to put it down. Dr Sax presents an array of informative facts, based on research and many valuable sources to help us understand the 'nature/nurture' debate in boys and girls. He presents the information in a clear and concise manner and offers various solutions and ideas for raising a well-rounded individual.
Worth Purchasing
This book is filled with a lot of recent research. Dr. Sax discusses carefully designed studies that found that more than half of normal men would actually rape a girl if they were assured of not being caught and punished (p123). And these studies focused on "nice guys" not Neanderthal cavemen. This is disturbing, but not surprising.

half good, half bad
I just finished reading this book.Fascinating, it only took a couple of days (despite being a mom of young children!)
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Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child Development    3. Child Development And Rearing    4. Family & Relationships    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Gender Studies    7. Parenting - General    8. Sex Roles (Sociological Aspects)    9. Sex differences    10. Sex role    11. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (68)

Sound Advice for Breaking Bad Habits!
I saw this book just as I was about to call "that man" again--the one my friends told me to dump before I went completely crazy.This book is indeed a survival guide to letting go of toxic relationships that many of us have at some time in our lives.There are questions and writing exercises in the book that help us understand why we are attracted to men who have no interest in us romantically and never will regardless of what we do to change their minds.Instead, this book teaches us the techniques in recovering from rejection and moving on with the help of a support system.The writing exercises are invaluable and therapeutic.When you finish reading this book, you will have taken the first step towards finding and attracting men who are emotionally available and are able to meet your needs.So, before you pick up the phone, read this book!

Insightful
This author can offer authoritative, insightful information to a recently heartbroken woman because she has an active psychotherapy practice in which she specifically deals with women who experience relationship issues.I found this book to offer clinical advice on some matters in terms easily understood by the layperson.This book explains why we often have the compulsion to call or otherwise cling to men who have clearly given us all indications that they no longer (or never) wish to commit to us and a relationship with us.I thank the author for creating this work because it truly helped me to refrain from calling (and allowing him to call me).I gleaned insight as to why, even after having left me, my ex still calls me to tell me that he loves me and wants to be with me--can we say AMBIVALENCE and MANIPULATION???I am glad that I had this book to assist me with an exceptionally painful breakup--it helped me to understand WHY the breakup was painful and offered some steps to take to work through it.I found this book to be timely and useful.THANKS A MILLION!

States the obvious, but proves a point
I bought this book for myself after I went through a break-up.It showed me that I was not the only one that felt that way and helped me a lot mainly by stating obvious things but sometimes hearing them again and again really helps. I passed the book along to a friend and she took it with her everywhere for a few weeks and wrote and highligted all over it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family/Marriage    3. General    4. Interpersonal Relations    5. Love & Romance    6. Man-woman relationships    7. Psychology    8. Separation (Psychology)    9. Single women    10. United States    11. Family & Relationships / General    12. Gender studies    13. Marriage & relationships    14. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

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   

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 (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 (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 (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   

Subjects:  1. Gender Studies    2. Interpersonal Relations    3. Sleep    4. Sleeping customs    5. Social Science    6. Social Work    7. Social aspects    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. Sociology - Marriage & Family    11. Family & Relationships-Interpersonal Relations    12. Social Science / Gender Studies    13. Social theory   

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 (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   

Editorial Review

The author of the provocative bestseller Read more

Reviews (119)

WTF?
The previous reviewer is a nice example of how a whiny feminist will behave when her lies are exposed, and the truth emerges as the opposite of what she says and believes.
lets move on
this book just reifies the old boy/girl dichotomy.we have to move on from finger pointing to some real issues.are we really to believe that boys are being harmed by feminism? poor things...is there really anything inherent in being a boy or girl.We know that there is not, so how can people still be making these passe and inflamatory arguments.Give me a break.

Important book
This is an important book whether or not you actually have boys yourself.
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Subjects:  1. Adolescence - General    2. Boys    3. Feminism    4. Feminism & Feminist Theory    5. Gender Studies    6. Life Stages - Adolescence    7. Men's Studies - General    8. Psychology    9. Sex Roles (Sociological Aspects)    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Sociology Of Youth    13. Teenage boys    14. United States    15. Social Science / Gender Studies   

Reviews (10)

Not Happy
This book was assigned to me in my Criminal Justice class. It is very easily readable but FULL of mis-represented statistics and mis-quoted quotes.
Amazing book!
In this book, the author describes how the world works. It can all be summed up by this sentence in his book:
Superb, non-threatening and helpful
As an instructor working in the Humanities, finding non-threatening ways to talk about privilege,whiteness, and/or racism is very challenging. As I read the negative reviews, I am even more aware of how difficult it is to get these ideas across without being accused of self-hatred, etc. In an effort to encourage positive self reflection on these complex issues, I have read many of the foundation works Dr. Johnson mentions. His recapituation of these ideas is indeed gentle. One of the best things he does is make it possible for individuals to recognize that, while they may have unearned entitlements in one area, they may not have them in another. In this way, it is possible for practically everyone to recognize the feeling of being an outsider and this can lead to a compassion and understanding that has NOTHING TO DO with guilt. This work can create a bridge. As an instructor in the area of cultural studies, I often must challenge individuals who believe feeling guilty is all they can do. It isn't.Dr. Johnson gives us actions that we as individuals can actually engage. BTW the chapter on Capitalism is elegant dynamite.
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Subjects:  1. Discrimination & Racism    2. Elite (Social sciences)    3. Power (Social sciences)    4. Social Classes    5. Social Science    6. Social conflict    7. Sociology    8. Sociology - General    9. United States    10. Gender studies    11. Social Science / Sociology / General   

Reviews (14)

Equality of outcome, not uniformity of treatment
It isn't necessary to agree with everything in this witty book to realize that its subject - male bias - is crucial to our understanding of ourselves as humans. It is such an obvious, if overlooked, fact that using the male as the standard of normalcy for humans is illogical.
Man Is the Measure of All Things
... is the double-entendre premise of this book and it is very well articulated. Ms. Tavris points out a tendancy to see men as the norm and women as the deviant and therefore something to be corrected and studied. She demonstrates as much with, for example, the following-
Even handed and inspiring
This book really lifted my spirits in its even-handed treatment of the 'language' of the genders.It explored the cultural expectations---and decpetions----about the genders, and gave each credit and offered an uplifting, intelligent, hopeful conclusion.I especially liked the fact that she gave men their due for their often-misunderstood gestures of affection and care----the clumsy and non glamorous gifts that form the backbone for so many sitcom jokes.Tavris is a sympathetic and vivid writer with wonderful logical and analytical abilities. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gender Studies    2. Psychology    3. Sex differences    4. Sex role    5. Sociology    6. Women    7. Women's Studies - General    8. Social Science / General    9. Sociology, Social Studies