Sex Relationships Books

For those of you who are interested in philospohy in general, this book is an excellent collection of briefs from philosphers from Plato to Firestone. The most interesting aspect of this text is that it addresses the subject that most philosophy books refuse to touch upon - LOVE. Most often, philosophers are associated with their views on religion, politics, or the basic human existence. This book is such a great treat to read because of the subject matter. Love is a subject in which we can all relate. The book is approximately 3 inches thick, with excerpts from many different philosophers, but the great thing is that you can pick it up at your leisure, read a few different excerpts, ponder the subject of love, and put the book back down. It is not a book that you read cover to cover. Another interesting aspect of the book is that no matter what your views on love or romantic love are, you will find essays that will either reinforce your views of the matter, or challenge your present thinking of the subject of love. It covers topics such as misogyny, feminism, romantic love, marriage as more of a friendship than a romantic love, etc. I have been tickled, angered, saddened, pleased, and intrigued by this book. SO much so , that I have recommended it to friend after friend, and all have enjoyed it. It is not necessary that you be a student of philosophy to understand this book. You just need to misunderstand love to gain from it's teachings. I believe you will enjoy this book for years to come. I know I have.

After having read a bit on the Greek's philosophy of love, I wanted to find something addressing heterosexual love. This book has a vast representation of theories on the topic of love. It is one of those books I will pick up often. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a place to begin your philosophical query regarding love.

Solomon, the Anglo-American philosopher, who takes Continental philosophy seriously, is the editor here, not the author. This wonderfully eclectic book surveys the Western perspectives on romantic and erotic love, starting in antiquity and continuing up to the modern day. While the focus is principally philosophical, other fields of inquiry like psychology, literature, and theology are included: E.g., Plato, Augustine, Milton, Shakespeare, Nietzsche, Freud, etc. I couldn't imagine a better selection of primary texts.

Certainly, the primary intent of the book is to offer a comprehensive survey of romantic and erotic love for students enrolled in a philosophy of sex course. No better book exists for providing primary texts on this subject. (Cf., Sobel's "Philosophy of Sex.") But, in a general sense, we're all students of philosophy, and of all of philosophy's myriad disciplines, certainly love is the subject of widest appeal. In other words, this book is by no means limited to academia, although that's it's target market. We're all students of love.

Unfortunately, the best writer on the subject of romantic and erotic love is our editor. Solomon's own book titled "Love" is absolutely extraordinary (see, separate review). But that doesn't make this present volume any less valuable. In fact, I think that "Love" will be better understood, having this contextual survey under one's belt. Solomon's variety of primary texts is so diverse and highly representative that it's appeal should extend to all inquiries on romantic and erotic love.

This volume is one of the very best for its presentation of the wide varieties of writings about erotic love. The text is divided into four parts. The first includes classic writings on erotic love from authors living prior to the 20th century. Included among the authors are: Plato, Sappho, Theno, Ovid, Augustine, Heliose and Abelard, Andreas Capellanus, Shakespeare, John Milton, Spinoza, Rousseau, Hegel, Schopenhauer, Stendahl, and Nietzsche.

The second part of the book includes classic writings on love from those in the 20th century. Included here are the writings of Freud, Jung, Karen Horney, Rainer Maria Rilke, Emma Goldman, Denis de Rougemont, D. H. Lawrence, Sartre, Simon de Beauvoir, Philip Slater, and Shulamith Firestone.

The third section of the book offers contemporary essays that advance theories and notions proposed by authors of antiquity. Writers included in this part are the following: Irving Singer, Martha Nussbaum, Jerome Neu, Louis Mackey, Emelie Rorty, Elizabeth Rappaport, Kathryn Pauly Morgan.

The fourth part of the book includes essays that are more theoretical, including a number of new attempts to define and understand love. Authors in this section include Robert Nozick, Annette Baier, William Gass, Laurence Thomas, Ronald de Sousa, Robert C. Solomon.

Thomas Jay Oord

What an excellent little guide! If you want a refresher or just want the gist of this book, this one will totally do that for you. I think I prefer to read things this way. It's quicker and more to the point. I also suggest Dating Sense: The Practical Way to Meet, Date and Marry the Right Person.

straight to the point and very helpful and it makes sense !

Of the numerous `threesome' books which appear to be crowding the market right now, this one is easily my favorite.

It doesn't have a lot of pretty four-color photos. (In fact, it doesn't have any.) But it does contain a lot of good, solid advice on how to make one's threesome musings a reality.

Fantasizing about threesomes is the very first topic, and the tome starts off with a few lurid tales to get one's juices flowing.

The first half of the book basically assumes that the desire is real (and valid) and proceeds to provide helpful tips on how to deal with the emotional side of having a threesome - such as how to communicate one's desires (to one's partner or `third wheel'), how to establish boundaries (ahead of time, hopefully), and how to deal with possible jealousies (all around) - to name but a few of the issues discussed.

It's not until the middle of the text, though - that the author deals with the "queerness" factor - by highlighting how a (two-girl) threesome can be a relatively safe and more comfortable means by which to fulfill our own same sex desires (which I found to be quite helpful, especially since most of the threesomes imagined by couples will be of the girl/girl/boy type, anyway).

It's in this `queerness' section where the author (a woman) also tosses out the initials, "L-I-T" - which stands for "Lesbian (only) in Threesomes" - which I thought was really cute (and reassuring).

There are some male and female anatomical diagrams as a refresher course; and a few pages encouraging women to go slow with each other, especially since our arousal takes more time (which is in definite contrast to situations involving two guys - where getting out of the starting blocks will typically be much quicker).

Lastly, in terms of the basics, there are a few brief reminders about hygiene, cleanliness - and STD's - which are, of course, sexually transmitted diseases.

The book really hits its stride, though - when it gets to (sexual) positions - in a chapter entitled `Joy of (Sex)3' (to the third power).

If you've ever watched porn, many of these geometries (in line drawings only) will be familiar, especially the ones with two guys (where the lone gal always seems to have at least two of her orifices occupied at any given time).

But it's the depictions of the two-girl threesomes - which I found to be really refreshing (and romantic) - with many of them encouraging women to engage affectionately with each other - to a degree I've not seen on screen (but would love to!).

For example, there are several positions which have the women hugging and kissing (each other) - while the man pleasures himself with one (or both) of the gals (normally from above or behind).

Having the females kiss - actually has several advantages. It's an easier way for the girls to begin to fulfill (a portion) of their same-sex desire - without having to be fully responsible for each other's sexual satisfaction. For the clever (and acrobatic) male - it can also be fun and challenging method for enjoying both women (in quick succession) in a manner which keeps them both occupied (and entertained) - while simultaneously reassuring them of their (underlying) heterosexuality.

In one of the `girls-kissing' postures, the ladies do so - while lying on top of the guy - who is on the floor underneath them (and supporting all of their weight). The author hilariously calls this position - the "nut crusher." (Yikes!)

Other variations have the women embracing front-to-back (such as when kneeling one-behind-the-other over the edge of the bed). Kissing each other over-the-shoulder isn't as convenient, granted. But having both ladies facing in the same direction - keeps their splayed legs and knees more orderly - making it easier for the guy to go back-and-forth between them. (Oh, now I get it!)

Advancing to the next level (of female enjoyment and participation), there are several situations - where one woman orally copulates with another. Some are daisy chain variations - where the girl in the middle (either face-up or face-down) orally pleasures the gal in front of her - as her guy enjoys himself (within her) towards her other end.

In a slightly more challenging geometry -- the female in the middle kneels and positions her center over the other gal's face - as her man fornicates with the babe (being orally copulated) from the back. (Ladies, for those of you -- who have difficulty achieving an orgasm while having sex with your guy - this position might be a godsend!)

The most advanced situations (bisexually speaking), for me - are two classics where both women perform cunnilingus on each other. One, of course, is a daisy chain triangle - where each participant concentrates orally on the male or female in front of them. And a second has the two ladies engaging in a sixty-nine - as the guy partakes in the girl on top from behind. (Being either the gal up above - or below - may be a truly heady experience, indeed!)

To conclude, if you're looking for an entertaining and informative way - to heighten your fantasies (or realities) regarding threesomes (of all types) - `The Threesome Handbook' is one that I would highly recommend. Enjoy.

As someone who spends a lot of time reading and writing about sex, it's always such a treat to find a book like this amongst the rubble. Vicki not only gives heaps of enlightening information on the logistics, psychology and emotions surrounding the almighty threesome, but she does so as a great writer. After reading this I'd pretty much read anything she chose to write about. She is quite the talent (and anyone who names sexual positions such things as "Old Time Carriage Ride" and "Quilting Bee" is someone I want to know). A great read, informative and really hot. Threesomes can be tricky and this is the best book I've seen out there on how to successfully navigate the territory.

This book is amazing. I've been in threesomes with every kind of gender configuration, and this book still gave me plenty of useful ideas. I also love that it covers the topic of a poly triad, which my husband and I are starting to explore. It definitely helped me get my head back on straight after an unexpectedly disastrous encounter. Also, it's fun, easy to read, and has a handy illustrated guide to positions.

Anyone interested in having a threesome should read this book. Although you can find a lot of books about "how to" have a threesome, etc - this book has a vast amount of information regarding threesome relationships. It discusses the occasional sex threesomes, too, but exploring alternative relationships and how to have a successful committed long-term threesome is reviewed very well. I used a lot of the suggestions and it helped me process my own situation. Great read! The author's tone is fun and easy to read but very factual.

I admit when I first saw the title of the book, I was a little intimidated by it. My only experience of threesomes has been the hollywood version. The author uses a great mixture of humor, honest exercises in self-exploration, and plain language. I would recommend if anyone is curious or wanting to explore different avenues within a committed relationship, this is the book!

This practical handbook is not only for the service slave, but for the Master and Mistress as well. Both benefit by getting the specific directions necessary to take their Dominance/submission to the next level. This is a buffet of experiences. Pick the ones that suit you and your family. Modify, revamp and use this enlightening treatise into one family's structure to create your own. The handbook is transformational, and I highly recommend it to novices as well as those seasoned in the art of power exchange.

To my knowledge, there is no other book out there like this one. After a healthy orientation to the world of Leather, the book divides into two main parts: how the slave is to behave in public Leather events and how the slave is to prepare the evening for a formal High Leather Protocol dinner. It is written in the first person, directly guiding the slave through these activities.

I found this book interesting because often, particularly in new Master/slave relations, the slave is unsure what to do to serve the Master and the Master is unsure how he wants to be served. This book seems designed to help in those situations.

I also sense that the author is a little eccentric. Well, this relationship is certainly an unusual one. You will do well to think of this book as a Leather Etiquette book. If you're not familiar with the Leather culture, this will surely be an eye-opener.

"Protocols" was the first Lifestyle book I'd read, and it changed my life forever. I'd already known I was submissive, but by the third chapter I realized that I was a slave! I absolutely love this book, it is stuffed with information about the dynamics of the M/s relationship. Dr. Rubel allows us see how he has used protocols to create a structure that keeps the M/s relationship alive, not just day to day but moment to moment, over both time and distance. The beauty of this book is that it is written to be a snapshot, if you will, of an ongoing Master/slave relationship, which the reader can use as a spring-board to create your own protocols that work for you according to your individual needs. And frankly, not just within the Master/slave dynamic either; even non-lifestyle folk could benefit from taking the examples given and creating a structure for on-going communication and a healthier relationship all around.

As I write this there are 20 reviews of this book on the Amazon website, all good. I have nothing to add about their comments regarding this book; it gets right to the heart of the subject.

The book, however, suffers from something I call "random comma disease." The author (or editor?) likes to put commas in inappropriate places in sentences: "Now, is a good time to develop a more loving connection with yourself" (p. 99), or "Accepting responsiblity for what happens in our lives, gives us a lot of freedom and more control, than when we look for someone to blame" (p. 54). Occasionally the odd misplaced semi-colon creeps in as well: "As you gain clarity on what a positive relationship means to you; you will attract it easily" (p. 95).

Surely a conscientous proof-reader could have caught these errors before the book went to press.

Jeanette Castelli self-help book cuts through the long term recovery from breakups and gives the straight bottomline steps to get on with your life.
This is not a quick fix book nor a thesis in human behavior, it is just the right dosage of reality check and inner work. Extreme Breakup Recovery is a shortcut that works when it comes to getting over pain and moving on after breaking up.

As a man, I was surprised how far I fell from grace when a four year relationship with a woman that pushed me to "get married" suddenly and unexpectedly decided to "break-up", after I agreed to "get married"... Huh? My Hearty was broken and my head was all messed-up! This book really helped me start moving on "head and heart" from the beginning... no typical "girly" perspectives or "PMS" excuses. Straight forward, workbook style that leads the way to gettting the job done and openning the door to move on...which I have in a positive manner! Thank you!

In this book I found the way to move on. I was very hopless and thinking that it would take me a long time to feel good again. After reading Extreme Breakup Recovery, I could move on. Actually, after the first few chapters, I was already able to function. Now I have moved on, learned a lot and I am getting ready for a new more positive relationship.

I read about this book in Cosmopolitan April article "The new way to get over a guy" and I bought the book.

It is an easy read, full of wise and practical advice to understand and heal the heavy emotions after a breakup and stop the pain. Also it shows you how to find and learn the lessons from the relationship, develop more self-esteem and move on.

Excellent and really helps !!

I have bought this book for the third and final time. I have even bought this book for friends. It's a great book to read when you are getting out of a relationship and are feeling a bit discouraged in the self-esteem department. Keep it handy, read a few pages at a time and motivate yourself!

This book is so real, cuts through the b.s., and tells women what is essential for keeping sane in our relationships with men.

I picked up "What Smart Women Know" in a bookstore about 15 years ago, when I was 21 and in a bad relationship. I have kept this book, and I know it has helped me through many other relationships, over the past 15 years.

I am not even going to cite sayings from the book, because I couldn't do it justice that way.

I feel lucky I wandered into that book store and grabbed this book. I have read many other self-help/relationship books, and they did not help me in any way near as much as "What Smart Women Know"

I think many of us would ultimately get the love we deserve if we paid atttention to much of the advice in this book.

Go get it, Sisters!

I am a smart professional woman who has (and still is) learning the "hard way" about relationships. This book is an awesome resource for a quick pick-me-up. It's super easy to read ... You can turn to any page and start reading without being lost. I've "doggy-eared" so many pages that I want to remember so I can flip to them quickly. It's full of one-liner realities that you never think of, but they make a whole lot of sense. Some of my favorites: "Smart women know that a woman's most powerful sense is her sense of self;" or "Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want;" and "Smart women have the sense to appreciate a man who has no interesting problems."

I am buying this book for all of my single (and should-be-single) girlfriends for their birthdays... Whether they want it or not! It's a must-read for women who are in the bad habit of not valuing themselves enough in relationships.

I highly recommend it!! I carry it in my purse!

I bought this book for the first time after my first marriage ended (should have read the book before I married him). Not long after, I thought I was in love with a man who had some interesting problems. Thank goodness I read the book and realized that I couldn't help him. I've given multiple copies of this book away and have loaned it out to many others. It's currently on loan to a friend who is going through a divorce. I'm married to a wonderful man and I like to flip through the book just to remind myself how lucky I really am to have a man who loves me and respects me. He understands me and I understand him. I love being a smart woman because I'm a happy woman. I'm about to order this book for my niece. She doesn't yet know what smart women know.

I selected this book for my 16 year old daughter a few months ago because she has a boyfriend who was doing and saying things that made her uncomfortable. She devoured it and made many notations in the margins. Since then, she has asked me to order the book for two female friends. She became very empowered by the straight forward advise given in the book and seemed relieved to finally be able to solidify her priorites. We are a family that models healthy relationships, but sometimes teens need various forms of healthy support in order to make values clear(church, teachers, mentors). This book was one of those sources for my daughter.

All the people below me rating this book one star are probably in denial, or are athiest. The book tells it how it really is. Just me as a guy and living life for 24 years knows that 9 out of ten guys only want sex. But girls are just as bad these days. The world is in the end times and purity becomes less and less practiced.Morality, dginity, and self respect are at an all time low. Teens love to rebel, and they love to downplay. Learning the hard way is the only way now. Parents are too busy working to pay the bills to sit and talk to there kids about the downside of pre marital sex and pregnancy.
The only bad thing about this book is that is doesn't emphasize on the fact that girls are just as bad as guys. That's not an opinion;trust me, I have lived the fast lane life and women are just as fast-no matter the age. I wish I would have wrote this, maybe then it would be a brutal honesty classic, without the bible verses that piss everyone off.

How do you keep from engaging in sexual immorality? Where exactly is the line that delineates the wrong from the right? And what about those who have already fallen into destructive relationships and behaviors? Can they yet reclaim an element of virginity...technically speaking? These are a few of the questions Hayley DiMarco confronts and tries to respond to in her latest attempt at a purity book, "Technical Virgin: How Far is Too Far?" However, for the most part, she misses the mark.

Instead of getting to the root of the problem, Technical Virgin provides only obvious, superficial answers. Instead of advising young women to guard their hearts and pursue Christ and offering specific lessons from the Bible, DiMarco merely identifies the consequences of sexual immorality and, of course, where to draw the line.

Though she tries to relate to her teenage audience, her book comes off sounding more like a research project because it is filled with dictionary definitions, sociological and psychological terms, and endless statistics. While she does give solid evidence that non-marital sexual activity has negative results and is not condoned by Scripture, she loses her credibility through sweeping generalizations and statements whose only proof is either her own personal opinion or because "that's just the way it is."

The main problem of Technical Virgin can be found in the subtitle. The question "how far is too far?" focuses too much on following a list of do's and don'ts than on changing the heart. The Bible has much to say about premarital purity, personal discipline, sexual fulfillment, and genuine love. None of those lessons are examined or shared in this book. In trying so hard to speak to younger women on a level DiMarco assumes we are locked in at, she underestimates our desire to learn more about God's perfect plan for our lives. This book offers some starting points for discussion in regard to this topic, but it does not provide the solid foundation of godly edification we young women of faith are seeking to obtain.

This is one book you must have in your personal library if you work with female youth! This book reviews what you already know & updates you on current happenings, but it also gives a new persepctive on some things I had never even considered. Like "Female Porn"!! Yes, us females find some types of movies to be "eye candy" for us. We end up having unrealistic expectations for our "guys" to be like the chic flics we so dearly enjoy watching. Get the book and read it. I had not realized all us females have fallen into this trap, not just my youth I minister to. I bought this for some of my youth, and other youth workers I know. Recommeneded it on my website too for other youth leaders to check out! This book is a must!

. . . but I can't in good conscience recommend this book.

As a father, a teacher, and a youth minister, I'm always on the lookout for something of value on the subject of moral purity, especially with regard to teens. When I first saw this book, I hoped that it could be something I could use, or at least recommend.

I'm sad to say that I cannot do so.

Why then the three stars? Because, in all honesty, the book does have some good things to say. It presents some blunt honesty with regard to sexaul relationships that many teen girls need. (As do many teen boys!) The morality presented is traditional, Biblical, Christian morality with regard to sexual expression outside of marriage. This much is good.

HOWEVER . . .

The treatment of young male teens in this book is, in my view, totally unacceptable, and borders -- more than borders -- on demeaning stereotypes. (And I say this from having 1) been a teen for seven years!, and 2) from having teenagers of both genders). Yes, it goes without saying that males in their teens and twenties have a truly boiling sex drive. No question there. But the way the book treats young males is as essentially totally amoral sex machines, incapable of any self-control, restraint, or deeper level of feelings or emotions. And this is a blatant and unfair stereotype. (If the reverse stereotype had been suggested, I wonder if this book would have ever been published.)

Yes, I am all for upholding Biblical standards of morality. Yes, I am all for encouraging our teens to live chaste and upright lives. But this book swings too wide and paints with too broad a brush. I can't endorse it.

Technical Virgin by Hayley DiMarco is another of her outstanding books that pull no punches and have totally plain talk and facts about sex which teenage girls need to know. The statistics of STDs in young teens is appalling, and DiMarco tells the straight facts about how "just messing around but not going all the way" can also cause a person to get sexually transmitted diseases, depression, and other severe health and psychological problems, in addition to the risk of pregnancy. The book is written for Christian girls and their parents but would be beneficial to all teens, male or female, to know the facts. As unbelievable as it seems to parents and older generations, a large percentage of girls from early teens are engaged in all types of sexual activity, even when they have pledged abstinance, because to these young people nothing but intercourse is considered sex. Parents, this is a MUST READ with your daughter.

As a man, I am critical of some of the self-help books written by women. Invariably, I find elements that either misrepresent men's attitudes or totally ignore them. "If Love Is A Game, These Are The Rules," is a wonderful exception. Every man interested in learning how to find and maintain a long-lasting relationship should read this book. More importantly, it should be read, reread and discussed by both partners, as often as questions or issues arise in the relationship. Cherie Carter Scott doesn't mince words; examples are short and to the point; each chapter covers a major rule so it is easy to follow and return to for a refresher. Too many of us, men and women, have been too ignorant, too disinterested, too willing to enter relationships based upon the wrong assumptions and expectations. This book lights the path towards establishing relationships that can grow and withstand the changes time will inevitably bring. Good luck...

I absolutely LOVE this book!!! It is so helpful and insightful!!! It helps you get everything into perspective and teaches you not only how to love another but how to love yourself as well! I recommend this book to anyone and everyone! I have already told so many people about it!!!

This book has been a wake-up call for me. It helped me understand myself and my partner in life. It has taught me how to develop and maintain a lasting authentic relationship.

(Sorry, English is not my mother-tongue.)
This is a great relationship-book! You won't find boring advice that you need to be supportive to your partner, you need to cherish him / her as often you could... but straightly to the point, Cherie will tell you that you need to differentiate being supportive and controlling... etc.

Those things commonly happened in our relationships, and it's nice to have someone reminded us to be a better person for our beloved one. Worth to collect. Recommended for you who're still single, also for married couple.

I'm finished reading this book, but I still use this book as reference, when I feel my relationship start getting trouble. And however, it helps!

This was a really good book. It gave me a lot of good insight on what to look for in a spouce. It also taught me some things about myself. I recommend this book to anyone who seem to be finding love in all the wrong places.

... and obviously a great deal of thought went into the analysis of every aspect of the female psyche during the writing of this book, which ironically represents the biggest problem your average frustrated chump encounters when trying to meet women - overanalyzing something that should be fairly simple if you're a guy with a cool vibe who's got his act together.

Although I haven't written a book on the subject (yet), my belief is that playful flirting - without serious intent and being indifferent as to the outcome - is always the best approach. Just play it cool, keep it light and go with the flow. Do this consistently and you will achieve positive results.

But if your real problem isn't so much meeting women as much as being the guy who always seems to find himself suffering from migraines due to high-maintenance relationships with difficult/demanding women expecting you to supplicate to them (ie: typical North American ballbreakers with entitlement complexes and/or attitude problems), maybe it's time to think outside the box and consider a more global perspective... perhaps finding a kinder, gentler kind of woman with a sweet disposition and nurturing instinct, like an Oriental woman from the Philippines, or a sexy and passionate South American female who can appreciate a man who makes no apologies for being one (hello, Rio de Janeiro) might be the cure for what ails you... if you'll open your mind to the possibilities, there's many other very appealing options out there that you're missing out on.

When I first purchased this book, I was purchasing it for the sheer hell of it as I had bought about 5-6 other books on the wide world of dating. Fenton lies out a clear, concise formula for greater success with women both on the first date and after the first date. This isn't a pickup book though, there are no clever lines or strategies to get to that first date, although you could apply some of the first date techniques to pre-first dates as well. There are no magical spots to meet women here, when to call, etc. However, it is a book that will explain a great deal of misconceptions many guys, including myself, have about women and what buttons to push and not to push for gaining that compatibility factor with any woman. More importantly, this book gives you the right mindset in dealing with the opposite sex. Perhaps, that's more important than many of these "pickup 101" and "where and how to seduce women" books. Because if you don't have the right mindset, you can read the player books all you want, but it won't make a damn bit of difference if you lack confidence and the right frame of mind around women. That being said, the four star rating is largely due to the fact that some scenarios the author envisions, I just can't see happening too often. The wording that Fenton suggests in some scenarios seems a little too wordy and almost without a doubt, forced in some cases. Overall, a solid book and I'd recommend "always talk to strangers" by David Wygant for a solid pair of books on the enormous realm of dating.

I agree with much in the positive reviews, such as those by The Capitol and Mr. Maslanka. We can all agree that the world of personal relationships offers a vast subject that no one book - or even many - can or will ever cover completely. Furthermore, the tips and tricks change as the culture changes: what's in this book would have been inappropriate in 1900 and may be outdated by 2010 (who knows?) So dating books are a bit like the blind men and the elephant - everyone knows something, no one has the full picture. But this short tome offers an excellent, succinct approach that promotes honest and direct communication with the object(s) of your affections. Each chapter deals with a different dimension of the dating relationship, and offers a clearly defined method for 'managing' it. The approach permits - even encourages - honest self-evaluation, improvement and growth with integrity. That's a lot better than macho methods that retail themselves like dimestore aphrodisiacs. The book could also be read profitably for advice on communication generally - with friends or family or in business. Like other things, it will be an amusing, idle read for those who do not put its lessons into practice. Those who do, however, will be well-positioned to learn interesting, positive things about themselves and how they relate to others.

The more I read thees books the more value they have to business. A client, ceo of a small company, once told me that ,in business, all news is good news---you must know where you stand and the context you are operating in. True in business, and---as Fenton demonstrates---true in dating. Find out at the outset if there is any interest and,if not, move on. One other example. I try lawsuits and when you do, a key is to empower the jury to decide so that their answers come from them, from the bottom up, not imposed by you, from the top down. Fenton uses the "Opening No" technique where he advises that empowering a woman by telling her, upfront, that a "no, I am not interested" is OK. This takes off the pressure(on both her as well as the male) , making room for considered and, yes, ethical decision making.There is other good stuff, boiled down to 127 pages.

I read this book over and over again while highlighting and taking notes. In the first chapter I was able to identify with the author, and acknowledge that I was the type of guy to whom he was referring.

If you are like me, and suddenly lose all sense of self once you meet a woman that intrigues you on all levels, you NEED this book. Most of the content is very relevant to day to day dating, and acts as a quick reference guide to almost any situation. I bought this three months into dating a girl I really like and it immediately helped me overcome certain insecurities while allowing me to still be myself and give the girl I'm dating the ability to choose me. It's refreshing! Finally I understand how to be the "real" me in any dating situation, and how to feel confident no matter what the outcome may be.

I wouldn't recommend this book to men who are looking to just get laid, or who view women as objects. This book is for guys like me, who, believe there is something real out there, and are willing to work hard on themselves and take the necessary time to have "it."