Rating: Summary: YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS!!! Review: AFTER THIRTY-TWO YEARS OF MARRIAGE MY HUSBAND THOUGHT HE KNEW EVERYTING HE NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT WOMEN. WRONG!! AT HIS REQUEST I PURCHASED WHAT WOMEN WANT MEN TO KNOW ABOUT WOMEN. FROM THE DAY THE BOOK ARRIVED IN OUR HOUSE MY HUSBAND HAS NOT PUT IT DOWN. I FIND HIM LAUGHING, CRYING AND JUST PLAIN APPRECIATING ME MORE. I HAVE DONE NOTHING DIFFERENT. HE'S ALMOST APOLOGETIC FOR SOME OF THE THINGS HE'S DONE IN THE PAST THAT HE DIDN'T REALIZE WERE UPSETTING TO ME BUT I NEVER SAID ANYTHING BECAUSE I DO LOVE MY HUSBAND. HE ESPECIALLY LIKED THE CHAPTER ON "SPIRALING"; THE WAY WOMEN TELL STORIES. ALL OF A SUDDEN HE UNDERSTOOD WHY I HAVE TO START A STORY FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME TO GET TO THE PRESENT SITUATION. TO BE HONEST WITH YOU MS. DEANGELIS WAS NOT ONE OF MY FAVORITE AUTHORS OR RADIO PERSONALITIES BUT NOW SHE HAS TWO NEW FANS IN MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF. CAN'T WAIT UNTIL MY HUSBAND FINISHES THE BOOK SO IT WILL BE MY TIME TO READ IT. CAN'T IMAGINE OUR REALATIONSHIP GETTING ANY BETTER THAN IT IS RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO NEWLYWEDS AND NEARLY DEADS FOR A SHOT IN THE ARM FOR THEIR RELATIONSHIPS. GOES TO SHOW, YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS!!!!RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, LINDA TOMPKINS
Rating: Summary: Take It With A Grain Of Salt Review: Contains some interesting insights, but I can't say that I agree with everything in the book. However, that can be said about any book that makes sweeping generalizations about either sex as a whole. However, it does have some very pertinent info that she explains much more clearly than most women are able to do. It's written for me, of course, but as a woman it was nice to hear that some of the issues my boyfriend and I deal with are not limited to us alone. I read it and marked the pages I thought were important for him to read :) But I wouldn't give any man the book and tell him to live his life by it.
Rating: Summary: Helpful for Discussing How to Have a Better Relationship Review: Dr. De Angelis has written a passionate appeal to men that is designed to help them improve their relationships with women. This book will probably be given as a gift by wives to husbands and girl friends to their boy friends. If someone gives you this book, see it as an act of love that will help you. While some books about what men need to know totally take the woman's perspective, this book is well balanced. Dr. De Angelis seems to understand male psychology almost as well as she understands her own. Years ago she wrote a parallel book on what men want women to know that demonstrates that understanding. In this book she is careful to keep that balance. For example, the beginning sections include separate messages to women and men for how to give and receive this book, and work with it in loving ways. She also states at several points in bold type, "I love men." She also doesn't seem to be trying to turn men into women. The book's premise is based on thousands of contacts Dr. De Angelis has had with women and a questionnaire that she distributed. She points out that what she has to say doesn't describe every woman. Each is unique. Men are encouraged to discuss the points in the book to find out which of them do fit the women they care about. This kind of conversation will be an important and valuable use of the book. The fundamental divide between men and women in relationships is that women put love first and it fills and colors every part of what they do and think about. Men put achievement first, and compartmentalize love into a small portion of their lives. A real eye-opener for me was one woman's love diary about her loving thoughts concerning her man. He was seldom out of her mind for more than ten minutes at a time. Few men would think about a woman as often, except during the most extreme times of early infatuation. I found it mentally exhausting to think about all of the things suggested here to be more loving. The good news is that no one needs to do all of these things unless they want to and it feels terrific to do so. The most useful advice in the book comes in terms of "reframing" or seeing what a woman does in a new light. Being asked where you were isn't "checking up on you" or "over control." You are encouraged to see this as a sign of deep commitment and caring. You also learn to make an occasional telephone call to remove these anxious cross-examinations that most men despise. Realizing that most women do put love first, want to improve things creatively (not because they are bad, but just for fun), and are focused on time allows men the opportunity to connect to that reality with less effort and with less disruption to their own lives. On the time point, time expands for men (which is why we sometimes lose track of time) while it contracts for women (filling their minds with all kinds of awful thoughts about what could be going wrong). The book's many suggestions for how to be viewed as a better husband will undoubtedly improve many relationships. I especially liked the section on things not to say. I was impressed to realize that my wife had asked me to say one of these things to her when I thought it was true (in a loving way) because she so much did not want to have that particular problem. This was a valuable insight to me. For younger men, the section on what is pleasing to women about sex will probably be very helpful in making that part of the relationship better for both. My favorite example here was a woman who described sex as a "three" on a scale of one to ten with ten being the highest. The man said it as a "nine." Dr. De Angelis asked the man to describe why it was a "nine." As he told what he had been thinking, his wife was thrilled and she described hearing his thoughts about her as a "ten." Sexual pleasure begins and ends in the mind, and it is easy for men to lose sight of that. As you can see, the examples and quotes in the book are very revealing and take the masses of lists and verbiage and make them practical and easy-to-understand. After you have finished considering this helpful book, do take the time to discuss it with your wife or girl friend. Just reading about these ideas is not enough. You have to talk about them, and then follow up on the ones that feel right for you both. By the way, it's okay to suggest a duration for the first part of this conversation in advance. Enjoy the happiness and serenity of a better relationship!
Rating: Summary: great sex advice Review: Guys, if you take away nothing else from this book, take the section on making love to a woman as good advice.
Rating: Summary: Woman's Point of View Review: I found myself offended by this book and its constant "bribe" of "hey, guys, if you do this, your wife will have sex with you!"
While there are a few good points, this book seems to be written about barbarian men that are stuck in the stone age. I do need to remember that this is supposed to be from a woman's point of view, but this book is really written for women. Ladies, as a guy, I can honestly tell you that this book may alienate your husband. I do not recommend this book as one that you could expect your husband to finish. You may enjoy it, and may be able to point out some of the great points that this book makes to your mate, but don't expect them to eat this book up the way you might. The great points about this book focus mainly on communicating with one's wife, but at the same time, many of the points are obvious and could be summarized simply as: Pay more attention to your wife, listen closely, open up and tell her what you're thinking and, when she annoys you, just remember that she is doing it because she loves you. Much of this book is cliched (i.e: men are easy to please, women require mental stimulation first, etc.) and stereotyped. I would recommend several other marriage books that a husband could actually read before this one. Oh and, by the way, the first 25% of the book keeps talking about how great this book is and how great it will be for you when you get to the meat of the text. I found myself constantly annoyed with, "When I tell you this secret later, you'll be amazed," etc. Why waste all this time? Because, as she says, women enjoy talking just for talking and men like to get to the point (take your own advice, Doc).
Rating: Summary: GOOd read but too much for guys who are tied down Review: I found this book imformative and a good read expect this book focused too much on serious relationships. It could have been more appealing to guy w/o girlfriends.
Rating: Summary: LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND! Review: I like this author's writing style and the easy, comfortable manner in which she graps the reader's attention. Barbara has, once again, separated the men from the women in her new book which looks at the communication gap between the sexes. As a counsellor, I cannot tell you the number of times a man has sat across from me and said, "My wife does not understand me" or the number of times a woman has said, "My husband doesn't understand what I need from our relationship." This book will definitely help bridge the communication gap and open the doors to a fuller, enriched and more loving relationship. First of all, husbands and wives are not mind-readers, and the best solution to improving relationships is always a heart-to-heart talk to discover just what does please your partner, and what really ticks him or her off. Secondly, according to the author, "women put love first." I know of several men who also put "love first" but may show their love in an entirely different manner. Sometimes actions speak louder than words; words mean nothing, no matter how endearing or how many "I love you's are spoken," if actions contradict the words. The only negative aspects encountered in the book were (1) the author's tendancy to stereotype men and woman, and categorize their needs into nice, neat little compartments, and (2) the author's somewhat flowery, mundane cliches. For those reasons, the book lost a star in the rating. In reality, based on years of experience in the field, it is a known fact not everyone fits into a common mold. Not all women have the same behavioural traits, nor do men. In regard to the list presented in the book which prioritizes the "top ten male habits which drive woman crazy", many of the habits would also drive men crazy. What man would appreciate being "bossed around", enjoy "emotional withdrawal" or would willingly accept "lying to avoid unpleasantness"? These are not habits that either gender would welcome. Overall, the book does contain some very helpful advice in improving gender communication and is certainly a book worth reading... and contemplating. If one sees himself or herself among the pages it might serve as a red-alert, wake up call to smell the coffee before your partner finds someone else who IS ready and willing to provide what is lacking in the relationship. Hopefully, men will not view the book as "male bashing" and will share the same appreciation for the book as the throngs of women who anxiously await each and every one of the author's upcoming books.
Rating: Summary: IF THE SHOE FITS... Review: In reviewing this book, I was completely absorbed. I found myself chapter by chapter stating to my partner, "can you believe this?" not because the ideas were far-fetched, but because we had discussed the same thing two days earlier. One reviewer stated that would make me a "high-maintenance, overly emotional witch/princess" but my experience with the equivalent high-maintenance men suggests that they are interested in forming deeper emotional bonds in relationships, want intelligent, communicative partners and do not want to become machismo stereotypes drinking beer and belching in front of the television. Sometimes they are merely missing the tools this book provides. I am certainly going to recommend it to my patients and give it as a gift to many of my male friends who are struggling with their relationships. I want women to know that they CAN feel entitled to their feelings as well as their desire to be treated respectfully and compassionately. I would rather be a "high-maintenance, overly emotional witch/princess" than a forlorn, disgruntled doormat.
Rating: Summary: Insightful. Review: In this book, the author wrote about the way women FEEL, then act. They in general act according to their heart and, most of the time, without any logic or reason. This book is about women's feelings, impressions,and fears but, not about hard scientific data. It, however, offers invaluable insight into the "thinking process" of women. The French scientist Pascal once wrote: "The heart has its reason, that reason does not understand." The author, however, does not discuss the "give and take" situation in a relationship. Men who are goal oriented, need women to be loving, understanding, and realistic. They have different and sometimes contradicting priorities in their lives: spouse, children, work, religion, social and political interest/ambitions, but not necessarily in that order. And women should learn that they could not be number ONE all the time within this context, if they want the relationship to last for a long time.
Rating: Summary: Now I know what to do. Review: The book should be entitled What Western women want men to know. Thank you barbara. All I have to do is marry a woman from a non Western culture
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