Product Description
Why can't a woman be more like a man? What is this thing called "feminine intuition"? Why are men better at reading maps, and women at other people's characters? The answers lie in the basic biological differences between the male and female brain, which, say the authors, make it impossible for the sexes to share equal emotional or intellectual qualities.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.0 based on 46 reviews)

Timeless, informative and always relevant by Jennifer A. Hoffman (Scottsdale, Arizona United States)

5 Stars
October 26, 2009
I first bought this book in 1992 and have read it at least a dozen times since then. It is one I suggest to clients and those who need to insight into understanding others' motivation. From understanding the physiological differences that occur pre-birth, at the moment of conception, to the differences between male and female brain functioning, this book covers it all. One of my favorite chapters describes why men and women multi-task differently--women have information processing centers in each of the four brain quadrants, men have only one. Another insightful chapter relates to homosexuality and how it develops during fetal growth, how the mother's stress levels contribute to its presence and the studies that have been done to support these findings. Anyone who thinks that homosexuality is an aberration that can be changed, prayed out of someone or is a choice that someone makes would do well to inform themselves and this book provides that in a very clear and logical way. This book has helped me to create better relationships with my sons because I do not expect them to think like I do and I purchased copies for them when they began dating women so they would have a better understanding of women and how they think. I highly recommend this book to those who are open to believing that there really are differences between men and women, we will never be the same so any attempt at getting along has to be include respect for our differences. Jennifer Hoffman, intuitive and author of 30 Days to Everyday Miracles.

An Enlightening Book Reviewing the Research about the Differences between Men and Women and Case Study Examples by Elizabeth Cates

4 Stars
September 26, 2009
The physical and psychological differences between men and women are something everyone must wonder about at least once in their life. This book provides a set of scientific theories to help elucidate this mystery. While this book was informative, it very strongly argues nature not nurture is responsible for the differences between the sexes. Some of the authors hypotheses are rather obvious to anyone, but others theories might be surprising. Although this book is scientific, it is written in layman's term and provides helpful charts and diagrams. It is written at a high school level, but a basic understanding of science methods, biology, and psychology helps provide a better basis for understanding the book. The authors support the hypotheses through the conclusions of different research and case studies. It focuses more on the implications of the conclusions rather than the methods and results. The authors divided the chapter roughly by the human life span starting at conception finishing with the mature adult in the work place. Chapter 1 presents the theory that the differences between male and female behaviors and abilities are based in the biology of the male and female brain. It discusses the physical differences in the brains and how these differences have been correlated with differences in the behaviors and abilities of men and women. Women are better at verbal task, and men are better at spatial tasks. Chapter 2 focuses on how hormones in the prenatal during development set the course for brain to become more male or female. Basically, hormones affect neural development leading to differences in the brain. The authors provide many cases to explain how abnormalities in the sex chromosomes or development results in abnormal hormone production leading to abnormal development of the male or female brain. If anything were to go wrong during critical periods of development abnormalities would be created. Chapter 3 discusses the differences in the adult male and female brain including differences in localization and concentration of cognitive processing, and how these differences lead to differences in the abilities of men and women. Chapter 4 explores the differences of males and females as they develop leading to difference in play and academics success. Chapters 5 and 6 examine how the changes in hormones lead to differences in the abilities of males and females during adolescence. Chapters 7-9 focus on the differences in relationships and the love between men and women. It provides science based recommendation of the interactions of relationships and address hypotheses regarding the origin of homosexuality. Chapter 10 discusses how women play the nurturing role for children starting at birth and how men become teachers once the children started to develop into toddlers. "Parenthood means different things to the different sexes, and that is difference is a distinct reflection of the sexually distinct brain biases." Chapters 11 and 12 deal with differences between men and women in the work place. According to the authors, the differences in the priorities and the abilities of men and women are what lead to inequality within the work place. The epilogue summarizes more current research that has been done and supports the older theories presented in the book. Having read research along with other books, some of the theories could have been more convincing if there were more research. The book does not thoroughly cover how specifically hormones induce change in the neurons leading to brain differences. The book would have benefited from later research conducted about the interaction of hormones and neurons. In the scientific community, it is widely accepted that genetics control hormones and behavior. The case studies discussing Turner's syndrome, administration of sex hormones, and drugs with fetal side effects given to mothers during pregnancy are very helpful is providing a simple example of the overall theory. The authors also discuss science experiments in which the hormone levels of mice were altered leading to differences in anatomy and behaviors. The authors' theory is that hormones control what pathways and areas develop and become set during gestation. Once these have been set, variations in hormone levels throughout the life span control the activity level of these areas. The fixed areas are what determine the capabilities of men and women. Men have brains optimized for spatial reasoning, and women have brains optimized for verbal abilities. The authors do not consider the brain's plasticity, the ability to modify, or the effects that the environment could have on the brain. It looks at the anatomy and physiology without considering any psychology, even biology based. The portions covering the difficulties of relationships between heterosexual couples would be helpful for anyone. It should be apparent that anyone who had any type of contact with the opposite sex would notice the differences in emotional expression, aggression, and communication styles. Understanding the theories would lead to better understanding in relationships. One interesting theory in this section was women are wired to feel more emotion than men, and this is why men think women are overreacting all the time. An amusing and insightful quote is "Men want sex, and women want relationships." Men are willing to be monogamous, because they do not want their mates to have sex with other men. The differences in communication and functions can also been seen in the relationships between parents and children. While there was no overwhelming evidence, it seems common sense that this would be true. Daringly the book hypothesizes that homosexuality is caused by an accidental high exposure to the dominant sex hormone of the opposite sex or high maternal levels of stress. The differences in brain organization of homosexual and heterosexual individuals are the basis for the hormone theory. They also hypothesize that this could be "fixed" in utero. The high maternal level of stress theory was based on a single correlation study More current research has suggested an evolutionary basis, the maternal immunization hypothesis, environmental causes, and genetics causes. While the epilogue continues by bringing additional research supporting the theory in the book, none of the other theories are mentioned anywhere. While it is a valid idea, currently there is no way to say definitively whether or not hormone deviations cause homosexuality. The section about the work place would be upsetting for anyone who believes in the equality of men and women in all aspects. The author hypothesizes that women lack the spatial abilities to become engineers and mathematicians. The reason women receive lower wages and fewer promotions than men is their lack of competitive drive and their natural tendency to take care of the family. The authors believe women are too detail oriented to let men take care of the house and family. Based on this hypothesis, women should have people oriented jobs with little future career development and men should have job requiring spatial abilities and lots of competition to be promoted. Anyone who does not fit the stereotype must have been exposed to wrong levels of hormones. It has been known since before the book was written that some behaviors are genetically based and others are acquired. The authors theorize that all differences between men and women are strictly based on hormones. It is really perplexing why the authors dismissed such important causes of behavior. While there is truth to the hypothesis, the explanation is oversimplified. While reading this book, it is important to keep in mind that the theories are neither undeniable truths nor are they ideas without support. These theories are supported by scientific research that can give support but cannot validate. Neurology is still in its infancy compared to chemistry and physics. As we learn more about the nervous system and it's interactions with the endocrine system, the facts will change. It would be helpful to read books focused on environmental and genetic causes to provide a more balanced view.

A MUST READ by Jane E. Jerkins

5 Stars
September 26, 2009
Every teacher in America should have to read this book and then discuss it with their students. What an eye opener for me. I keep a few on hand to pass out to anyone who bashes gays and lesbians. I tell them, "your child could have been born this way". It's hard for many to accept, but true. The World of Science and Medical Recearch has given us so much.

A paradigm-shifting book that holds up remarkably well by Brent A. Anderson (New England)

5 Stars
May 05, 2009
The traditional view of the sexes holds up much better when rigorously examining the brains of men and women, and the role hormones (endocrinology) play in both wiring the brain in utero and in forging the adolescent personality, than the heavily ideological view of the "genders" being culturally constructed, except for the obvious genital differences, that is au courant at the typical university campus. A recent BBC News health feature reporting on a Swedish study in 2008 using 90 brain scans shows that brain structure truly does matter. The lesbians have masculine brains and the gays have brains more closely resembling women's in structure. See, it's just amazing how well this book has held up all these years. Raising both boys and a girl, I realize the differences start at a truly young age, before the environmental influence could become operative.

Guess What, Men and Women Are Really Different by Stephanie Manley (Houston, TX)

5 Stars
April 15, 2009
It isn't a surprise that men and women are really different creatures. This book does not portray either men or women in a lesser light, but the book asks us to really look at the chemistry and the wiring of the brain that makes us different creatures with different outlooks. This book may help set your mind as ease with characteristics that the opposite sex has that drives a person stark raving man. From the womb we have different hormones that wash our developing bodies and make real changes in our mental development. Men are better at single tasks that are spacially related women are more atune and able to handle multitasking, and many desire to create a nurturing environment from day one. Even in gender neutral settings these differences continue to polarize men and women. Rather than trying to make each person fit a mold, this book suggests that we should cater to the differences that we have and find more fulfilling roles for ourselves. I especially enjoyed learning the explanation why women feel a floor is dirty long before it can support commerical agriculture. This book is a must read!

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