Brain Sex: The Real Difference Between Men and Women

by Anne Moir and David Jessel

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385311834
• ISBN13: 9780385311830
• Release Date: August 1992
• Publisher: Bantam Dell
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

People fear the truth of this book!

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in truth. However, it does not necessarily contain a pleasant truth (neither to men nor women). The amount of fear stemming from this book is not to be unexpected. It does, after all, deal with one of the most controversial subjects you can find. Just reading over the reviews here after reading the book for yourself will reveal the amount of paranoia associated with the knowledge contained. Many people are trying to break down the validity of this book by claiming it to be a pseudo-scientific product of sexism. I quote from one reader: "There was once, in Germany, an incredible number of evidences suporting how physiologies of the pure race and "others" were different. In the USA, science, "inspired" by that time period and that time's politics, attempted to show how blacks (and immigrants and all others who were not a member of upper-middle class heterosexual male group) were inferior." First of all, these so-called scientific attempts at justifying the superiority of one race over another were conducted during a time of hatred and oppression with support from the general population. In Germany, scientists were even commissioned by the government to create these falsehoods. To compare this book (which was reluctantly written by a geneticist living in times of a feminist uproar with the goal of shedding some research in a dark area) with that kind of racist-inspired nonsense, is ludicrous. This is the type of fear you find from readers who cannot accept this book's overall message: that men and women actually think and behave differently. If this book was inspired by a period, then this book would be a direct pseudo-scientific attempt at justifying feminist ideals because this is precisely what Anne Moir was surrounded by at the time she began her research. Well, this is absolutely not the case. If the book is sexist, which sex does it incriminate against and why? No one can answer this question with agreeably because the author had no intent of showing one sex to be superior to the other. This book was written by a woman with the intent of seeking truth. While there are attempts to put forth some logical interpretations based on the research, this book has, at its core, many fundamental truths supported by compelling, scientific evidence. This book is not perfect; a lot of it is just an open discussion, but to deny it as simply a biased product of sexism only serves to strengthen the book to people who actually read it with an open mind. You can practically see after the first 10 pages or so how much the author wanted to repress some of the research because of the controversy it would create (or perhaps simply her own personal fear of what it would mean), but the evidence speaks for itself. One thing people really need to keep in mind is that the book is about generalities, and it is examining men and women in terms of actual *biological differences*. Lots of reviewers here are trying to refu

Not just your typical self-help book!

Brain Sex, with its intriguing title, explores the exact differences- biological and psychological- that divide the male and female sexes. It explores the way humans are expected to live by the stereotypes prescibed for them at birth by society. Why are men and women so different? Why do we think so differently from one another and seem to live in completely different worlds most of the time? The answer lies in biology- the way males and females are constructed. The book then goes on to talk about male/ female relationships. This is a book that will have you thinking about its contents long after you've put it down; I had to read it several times in order to comprehend the full scope of this book. Brain Sex is a book that every person- man and women- should have on their nightstand. Its a great reference, and; although a bit out of date, is a great resource to understanding the depth and scope of male/ female relationships.

Intriguing

Yes, I know this book is controversial. And I read all the reviews about it and was a bit apalled. Yes, OF COURSE there are individual differences between every single being on this planet. And of course no one person should be judged on their sex, however this book does not set out to show that all women should be in the kitchen baking cakes and all men should be out bringing home the bread, it simply is attempting to paint a clear picture of the innate differences between men and women. Why is it that differences between men and women is such a terrible horrible thing? I don't see it reversing all of the progress made by women in the past 30 years, however I may see it celebrate the gifts that both sexes can bring, and not see it as superiority or inferiority! Males and Females were made to compliment eachother, NOT be the same in all respects. Not every person will fit every trait given in this book, and they didnt say sex was based on genitals! Its based on THE BRAIN. Its a wonderful book hehe. Read it.

Fearlessly debunks modern myths

It may not be politically 'correct', but this book shows us men and women really are different. Physically this is obvious for all to see. Psychologically it has also been obvious for all to see for the last few million years.However in the last 30 years we have had a justified push for equality of all humans regardless of sex, sexual preference, race, belief, etc. In the process modern society has clouded the innate differences between males and females. And some put shutters over their eyes to make the facts fit their preconceived view of the world.Brain Sex shows how we are all equal but we are also different. It shows how we can begin to try to understand each other and to complement each other. That is real equality.A fantastic book, but it must be read with an open mind.

A great book showing analysis of the human brain.

I thought that this book was wonderful. Being a "male bias" female brain it explained to me why i have the "male" erge to pull things to pieces but not the competitiveness of the "male" brain. It also helped me to understand those around me alot better. A terrific read... a must.