Corrosive generalizations (Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus - John Gray)

Member Name: srkirk

Product:	Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus - John Gray
Date:	04/07/00 (262 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Not a single redeeming feature

Disadvantages: Where do I start ?

When I first saw the book 'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus', I thought it might say something positive and useful about relationships. I was severely disappointed. The author (John Gray) starts the book by describing the whimsical premise that men and women are fundamentally different creatures, with the empathic, relationship-oriented women originating on Venus and the go-getting achievement-oriented men being from Mars. The rest of the chapters of the book are devoted to breathtaking generalizations about both sexes. It is easy to see that this is a book which the author intends to be read by women - most of the text describes how the author thinks women should treat their male partners. Not much is said about how men should treat women.

John Gray has made an absolute fortune selling this stuff - he even had a regular spot on 'This Morning' a while back promoting his views. He has written several more books (which I haven't read) since this, his most famous work, but I suspect it's more of the same. It just seems to me to play on people's insecurities - he is telling the reader that they need instructions on how to be proper men and women. Since reading this book, I have found out that John Gray did not disapprove when he discovered that his father had a mistress. I can't say I was surprised.

This is probably the world's best known book on relationships between men and women. In my view, it is also a prime candidate for the most divisive and exploitative piece of writing on the subject I have ever read. I would not recommend this book in any way, shape or form to anyone.

Summary: