Sex on the Brain: The Biological Differences Between Men and Women

Rating:
Summary: Interesting but not totally convincing...
Review: A lot of fascinating theories are explored in this book, and there is a great deal about biological gender differences that can be learned from it. Yet however interesting it may be, the fact remains that it is written by a journalist rather than a scientist, one who is well-versed in the scientific data and who can easily convey it, but not someone who has carried out any of the research.

I somehow got the sense that, throughout the book, I was reading some personal opinions of the author's and not simply an objective discussion of gender differences. I do not think that this prevents the book from being worthwhile or educational, but it did leave me feeling a little unsatisfied and skeptical about some of the conclusions that were drawn.

Rating:
Summary: science, with humanity
Review: At last! A book which evaluates some of the bases for the pronounced differences in behavioral physiology, and biochemistry of females and males. Blum touches on a minefield of emotional subjects and what emerges is a sensitive treatment of the sexes in terms of the underlying biochemical forces that ultimately shape men and women as the human beings that we recognize.

Males are targeted by the hormone testosterone which, from early uterine development, drives them relentlessly towards a variety of behaviors some of which are categorized "as boys will be boys".

As Blum emphasizes, testosterone levels (of testicular origin) fluctuate daily, and generalizations about its role vs concentration are difficult to support. Furthermore, females also make testosterone (adrenals and ovaries) and of great significance, the female brain converts testosterone to estradiol, the female hormone. Thus, the author reminds us that sex hormones, which we casually identify with one sex or another, are capable of rapid transformations with considerable implications.

The book is a remarkable journey along a road that has a plethora of gender intersects. As human beings, curious about who we are and what forces put us there, this book is a fascinating guide.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting but not totally convincing...
Review: Do you see how all these books are so similar? .. doesn't matter if it is Venus and Mars or Brain Sex,they all have the same theme "difference" and unfortuately a controversey hungry public just eats them up.,one after another.It must be that similarities,individual needs and desires aren't interesting enough so the theme stays stagnant and we to neauseum,find our book stores brimming with gender bias books which look as though they have all borrowed material from one another..

Since there are so many variations in the human population,to write gender bias books to begin with seems pointless,unless the underlying reason is to make financial gain and promote an agenda of deceit and discord among men and women.

Rating:
Summary: science, with humanity
Review: How refreshing to read a thoughtful, well-researched and documented book on gender differences -- and not fall asleep in the process!Deborah Blum's many gifts include her ability to report on complex and controversial subjects and make them understandable to the rest of us. This book explores many fascinating theories with a rare perspective. It is intelligently written with an added dose of humor and humanity. This is a sensible book on behavior and biology that forces the reader to think. I recommend it highly.

Rating:
Summary: A must read to understand better gender differences
Review: I found this book both easily readable and filled with valuable information. Ms. Blum's ability to weave stories into the scientific data allows the reader to relate the information presented to real life. I have found I remember parts of this book very clearly and have enjoyed sharing with others what is a very universal topic- male and female gender differences with a bite of science. The studies she references are fascinating...I appreciate the backbone of science as opposed to speculation or opinion, which describes much of the literature on this topic. A book well worth seeking out and reading.

Rating:
Summary: sex on whose brain?
Review: I gave this one one start, but it might rate two. If you're looking for a chatty, rambling, disorganized treatise on gender and biology, and think that you can really learn something valuable about humans from the animal kingdom, then this book is for you. I bought this book because I thought it was going to be about the brain. It's more about gender behavior. You're left to draw you own concllusions about what's going on in the brain. There's gotta be a better book than this.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting book about science!
Review: If the material in this book had been approached with a dogmatic view of gender politics this could have been a miserable read. The author's sense of humor about gender issues was refreshing and seemed to allow her to approach the sometimes controversial issues with an unbiased attitude. The chapters on hormones were very interesting, and the stories of children chasing the family cat with a toothbrush turned into a toy gun were quite funny. A lot of thought provoking material is compiled from scientific studies done around the world.

Rating:
Summary: Tedious
Review: It as only recently I was aware that Deborah Blum had written a book called the Monkey Wars, about the animal rights/ vivisectionist's debate. I was not aware of that previous book whist I was reading this one. But it comes to no surprise, that her obvious slant or justification would be on the vivisectionist side. Again I read Sex on The Brain without any prior knowledge of her other writings. The first three chapters relating to hormonal, and testosterone and oestrogen studies, and female male brain size - involved nearly every page describing how cats, monkeys, and rodents had been sliced up, been castrated, cells extracted, brought up in cruel studies (ie cat forced to never see daylight). To access a possible link to human equivalent mind and hormonal changes, ie brain size observation, and testosterone and hormonal levels changes. But as any advocate of valid and proper testing would argue, that animal testing is unnecessary and cruel and non conclusive. Within the first two chapters from pages 18 to 63, she trys to convince the reader that there is some validity in accessing mood changes and brain changes from animal testing (and applying to human brains) - but fails to but conclude the chapter with, and I quote " The contrast (human brains) are too tiny and still far too mysterious". Point one for anti vivisectionist's argument

Sex on the Brain is a tedious book, with an arduous writing style. There are however some interesting points raised in the book, regarding male aggression, risk taking and cognitive skills of both men and women. Unfortunately they end up contradiction each other. Yes men are aggressive due to high levels of testosterone, but female chimpanzees are just as aggressive. Deborah Blum doesn't really explain in detail the correlation to human aggression, and why men and women share similarities.
I found segments in the book that talked about risk taking and why men and women are different in that sense, but it came across in somewhat of sexist overtone. That men take unnecessary risks and women sit and ponder a collective solution - which is? Never explained in any biological sense. The questions would be asked, why do huge portions of women smoke cigarettes, and take unnecessary risks to their own health. How does it differ from male posturing in regards to male personal risk, ie drinking, excess etc. Or biologically does it assume that we take the risk to show some social adequacy?

Also other confusing segments in the book regarding male female attraction, eg women choose men on immune systems similar to them, through possible similarities in appearance. Yet early stages in the book describe how it would be wise for a evolving specie (humans) to mix up their genes, to create stronger offspring. Indifference, not a similarity. So what is it?
Sex on Brain also doesn't go into enough detail research on cultural influence and evolution, in which cultural influence has far out weighed evolution biology, consider the declining western birth rates, women are now having children into their 30's, increasing the risk of down syndrome.

The is so many questions still left un answered, although Sex on The Brain doesn't profess to have the answers. It does how ever relay some confusing findings, that don't seem to stick with any real application - part from the already obvious.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, well-written exploration of gender differences
Review: Sex On The Brain is an insightful book exploring the potential differences between men and women. Deborah Blum approaches the subject with as objective of viewpoint as she can manage--where she is biased, she openly states her feelings yet remains open to contradiction. Her skill as a writer in translating scientific information into easily understandable language is impressive.

Part of what I liked so much about this book is that Blum draws together many different kinds of studies. It would be difficult for the average person to have access to such a wide range of studies, and she draws them together well. She also doesn't attempt to reach hard conclusions about an area of exploration which is still remarkably young. An admirable work.