Rating: 
Summary: This book is almost too frightening to be funny.
Review: This is not, in fact, the classic book that recommends meeting your husband at the door wearing nothing but saran wrap. No, this is the book which "assigns," at the end of one chapter, the task of handing over responsibility for the finances to your husband. It suggests that you say, "Honey, I don't want to be responsible for the finances anymore, because it is a burden to me. I know it will be easier for you, because you are a man."
Probably the most frightening suggestion in this book is how to handle conflict. It suggests that women express anger in a "childish" manner; "Pout, toss your curls, and stamp your foot." The object of the exercise is to make your husband think you're cute, and thus to feel protective of you (and then presumably to give you what you want).
While this book was definitely good for some entertainment at a party, I hesitate to suggest buying it new, for fear of rewarding the author. (Does anyone know what ever became of the author or her eight children? I'd be just fascinated to find out....
Rating:
Summary: Religious extremisms at its best
Review: If you firmly believe that woman are meant to be controlled by men and that you must do everything you can to please them (no matter how much it goes against your sense of right and wrong) then by all means, read this book.If you are living in the 21st Century and are able to see that every person in this world is an individual as well as being equal, you will get nothing from this book but giggles. Times have changed, and this book is for those that are stuck in the past and for people who married their fathers.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: This is one of my top favorite books of all time. I am in my 20's and this book helped me to find my knight in shining armor. We have a wonderful marriage, and he says when he prays he thanks G-d for me. This never would have happened if not for this book.
I was your typical, feminist, man-hating, career oriented female (but didn't realize it) before reading this book. This book opened my eyes to the fact that men are human beings, should not be judged, controlled, or nagged as though they were children (I was raised to think that this was "helping" them) and that we are a team in a marriage, with complementary roles. It is not my job to change or man or make him into who I think he should be.
This is not what I was taught. I was raised to think we women need to teach men a thing or two about how equal and even superior we are, and the flaws in all their ways all these centuries. I am ashamed that I thought this way for a long time, and now realize that I have to work on myself to be happy, and accept a man for who he is. If I can't, he is not the right man for me, and I should keep looking. He is right for someone else.
To the reviewer that said this book is for upper class white women and that the author made racist comments (the reviewer is "happy marriage"), you are outright lying and your review should be pulled. I read the book twice and I feel it is specifically most helpful for working class women like me, who do not have maids and who have working class husbands. I am also not white, and I find nothing in this book that discriminates against me.
I wonder if a lot of the reviewers really read the book, or if they just read a few passages such as accepting a man for who he really is (a shocking concept to controlling, psycho nags out there) and trying to be pretty (don't you dare tell a feminist to try to be pretty, it's an insult...to them *women* should be accepted as they are, even if they are fat and ugly and sloppy, but men better shape up) and telling him sweet things (I love it when my husband compliments me, why can't I compliment him? why would that be insincere? i wouldn't have married him if i didn't think he was fabulous) and decided they just couldn't handle it. It took me a while to work through this book, so I doubt they took the time to read it through and realize what a gem it is.
For anyone reading my review, the book also gives tips on how to be organized, how to be feminine, how to handle difficult situations, and other great tips. The relationship parts are a bit like John Gray's Men are From Mars books and a bit like Dr Laura's the Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands book rolled into one. It explains the differences in needs between the sexes, different communication styles, etc and has the same thinking.
It has a chapter on developing your integrity, being honest, not gossiping, volunteering your time for those less fortunate, and other great things. This is a wonderful, wonderful book that covers a range of topics. I am fortunate that it is still around. There is a generation of women that have been misled by the teachings of bitter women and we are not taught these wonderful things anymore. I don't want to listen to the advice of women who don't trust men, who never married, or who are divorced and don't know how to do their part in making a marriage work. If not for the wonderful women in my family who are all happily married many years, and books like this one, I would still be influenced by my feminist friends and old maid teachers and would never have met and married my wonderful man. I want my wonderful marriage over feeling self-righteous and always in charge any day.
Rating: 
Summary: Let's blame everything on the wife
Review: This book did have a few useful tips about relationships that could probably be beneficial for *both* spouses to use. That's why I gave it two stars. But for the most part, this book made me very angry, because the main message of the book is "Every problem that happens in a marriage is the wife's fault." Nowhere does the book even entertain the idea that sometimes husbands can be at fault. If the husband cheats on his wife, it's because she isn't feminine enough. If he beats her, it's because she's too bossy. If he is nasty to her, it's because she wasn't understanding or sympathetic to the pressure he is under at work. And all of these problems can be solved, apparently, if the wife reads this book and follows its principles. The book is *filled* with anecdotes written by women who have supposedly been helped by previous editions of the book, and they all basically go like this: "My husband used to beat me. Then I read 'Fascinating Womanhood' and realized that our problems were all my fault, and I started acting the way the book told me to act. Now my husband acts sweet and kind." In my opinion, there is NO EXCUSE for a man to hit a woman, unless she is coming at him with a deadly weapon and he's trying to defend himself. For this book to suggest that a woman should stick with a husband who hits her, and blame herself for the beatings, is completely unethical. Probably the most ridiculous section of this book was the one on acting "childlike." For example, if a woman gets angry at her husband, she is supposed to stomp her foot and whine like a little kid, because apparently men think this is cute. And she readily admits that women don't normally behave this way, so they need to become "actresses" and put on an "act" of being childlike. Since when does it help a relationship to put on an act and pretend to be someone you're not?
Rating: 
Summary: Polarizing book
Review: I have read many of the reviews for this book and am wondering if all the reviewers have read the same book? My mom read this book and attended a class when my parents marriage was rocky. It really made an amazing transformation in their lives! So, I read it. Don't get me wrong, I threw it a few times, but then I started seeing the forest beyond the trees and much of what she says is right on the mark. She insists on being sincere and not using these prinicples for manipulation. I have read the book several times, in fact, and don't see doormat anywhere. I do think that the book needs some updating and condensing, especially the lanuage used.
Many of the reviews remind me of conversations with people following Atkins and eating only meat. They glossed over the "eat vegetables" part.
What is so bad about accepting your husband as he is, appreciating him and admiring him? What is so bad about acting feminine? What is so bad about taking some responibility for your own actions and giving him the freedom to take responsibility for his.
This book has a lot of important principles in it. Read it with an open mind, sincerity and love.
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Summary: This book can really change your life...
Review: If you are a red blooded feminist who scorns feminity and thinks that a woman's fufillment is in aping or outdoing men, stop here as this book will only disgust you. However, if you are a lady whose priorities lie in being loved and appreciated by her husband, children, family members, and all who meet her, this book is a godsend.Fascinating Womanhood isn't magic(though the results may seem magical!)and it isn't a gimmick.It isn't about some drastic change of your unique personality It's simply a practical, common sense detailed explanation of how to become a fascinating and loved woman using your feminine powers(and we all have them).Helen Andelin has summarized what most women have known for years, but what our generation has forgotten. She puts forth methods that, deep down inside are part of a woman's nature. Things like childlikeness, timidity, trustfulness, spunkiness, and other qualities that men find attractive are covered. She explains why theses traits fascinate men and make them love women..and it all makes perfect sense! How many times have you been with a boyfriend or husband and seen him react favorably from some seemingly stupid act on your part? You just couldn't understand why he thought it was so cute when you pouted at him, or why he kissed you when you were afraid of a mouse...Andelin explains why and gives concrete examples from her own experience and the experiences of others. Her ideas may seem foreign, outdated, and maybe even degrading to the women of our culture, but they're really based on a very well known principle of today. Opposites attract. We are only so fascinating to men in as much as we are different from them. Come on, we can all see this physically...female models are slender,big chested, and luscious lipped while the male models are buff and muscular with harder masculine features. If these differentiating characteristics are considered attractive for the body, it only seems logical that opposing characters and actions would make do the same mentally. I assure you that, if you apply the principles from this book, your relationship with your husband-or any man in your life-will drastically improve.These are such fundamental truths and I have NEVER known them to fail.Men ALWAYS react favorably when they come in contact with a "fascinating woman." I have known many women who have saved marriages that were falling apart or brought true love to a mediocre companionship. If you are dubious and this all sounds a bit incredible, just give it a try. You will not be disappointed. Only women who are too proud or hard hearted to make a sincere attempt fail. I am sure if all girls were taught this information(as they were 60 years ago), the divorce rate would drop drastically. Helen Andelin receives my sincere and heartfelt applause.
Rating:
Summary: This book isn't very good
Review: Most of the ideas may have worked in the 60s, but not for today's modern husband. I don't think modern men would be attracted to the play acting, childish acting women that the book is advocating. They actually like stronger, career minded women and look down upon the "little, helpless acting housewife."
They appreciate a woman who can bring some money into the household and relieve them of the stress of all that responsiblity. It also costs a lot more to live now than in the 60s too. Having a helpless acting woman gets really old and it makes the woman look really stupid when she ventures out into the real world, yet acts and looks like a helpless child. I think a modern husband would be embarrassed to be seen with such a woman. I do agree however with some points, like encouraging your husband, etc. But that is how we all should be with everyone.
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