Saturday, June 6, 2009

Book Review: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey

Book Information:

Title: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What men really think about love, relationships, intimacy and commitment

Publisher: Amistad (An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)

Publication Date: January 2009

ISBN-13: 978-0-06-172879-6

MSRP: $23.99

Format: Hardcover

Available from Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, Borders or Powell's


Steve Harvey, world famous comedian and actor, has decided to write his own book about relationships. Fans of the Steve Harvey Morning Show radio program are familiar with Steve's Strawberry Letter segment in which he regularly imparts romantic wisdom and advice to his listeners. A long-time fan of the Steve Harvey Morning Show, I am sad to say this book was somewhat of a disappointment.




Okay, so maybe disappointment is too strong of a word; but, I can't put my finger on exactly why I didn't like this book. Don't get me wrong, Steve has some pretty good insight on how the male mind works. In a nutshell, men are very simple creatures and all the "complications" surrounding relationships are figments on the female imagination. And I think that right there is what doesn't sit well with me about the book. The crux of Harvey's argument is that men are dogs because women let them be. Men don't commit because women don't make it a requirement. Men cheat because their women don't provide them what they need at home. (That and they don't think they will get caught.)


Yup, everything wrong with the world is our fault ladies. (He even brings up the story of Adam and Eve! Geez! Let it go already. And for those of us who aren't Christian, that argument doesn't really work.)


The sad thing is, Harvey does have a couple of gems in his book about men, but the tone of the book put me in such a defensive mood that it was very hard to appreciate them. And instead of the book being proactive and empowering about ways to change your behavior, we end up with a laundry list of things not to do:


"Don't tell him where you would like to go [on a date]..."

"Don't be too independent"

"Just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should."


I had really high expectations for this book; but, sadly this one is a pass ladies. A little more sugar would have made it a bit easier to appreciate and swallow.


xoxo,

Tissie

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