Rating: 
Summary: Right message, wrong messenger (maybe), and probably futile.
Review: This book might be regarded as a perfect demonstration of just how ubiquitous male-bashing is.The author is a rarity - a woman whose heart SEEMS to be in the right place. SEEMS! SEEMS! She actually states that men aren't so bad, after all. In fact, she seems to think that men, in their own way, are good and the welfare of men is a necessary precondition for the welfare of women. This shouldn't be such a difficult concept, but for the most part, it's a VERY difficult concept for most women. For that matter, the notion that men have needs that must be addressed is a very difficult concept for most men too - the ones that she interviews or quotes to this effect for the purpose of writing this book are exceptional in that respect. Sometimes, someone will use an androgynous model of behavior to defend men and argue that men shouldn't be bashed because men and women are virtually identical. But that's as much of an intellectual atrocity as is the original sin. Dr. Schlessinger is adamant that men and women are very different and that each gender has its share of good and bad points, which need to be acknowledged and respected. Moreover, Dr. Schlessinger has no hesitation in blaming the feminist movement for marital difficulties. Sometimes, a male commentator or author will make the same point, but he'll make it hesitantly, self-consciously, and always with the hasty interjection that the feminist movement has done a lot of good too. (Like WHAT?) But as far as I can see, Dr. Schlessinger doesn't even bother to make the obligatory obeisance to the monster. Maybe, as a woman, she feels uniquely situated not to have to do so. And she does castigate the married members of her gender, repeatedly and forcefully, about the emotional ploys that they use against men and about the double-standards that they invoke in dealing with their husbands ("if he makes demands on me, he's being controlling and abusive; if he objects to demands that I make on him, he's being controlling and abusive"). This perceived treachery will, no doubt, cause a lot of ire among women, but they needn't bother. Men betray their own gender far more frequently than women betray theirs. One truth-telling female is but a grain of dust tossed on the other side of the scale. And Dr. Schlessinger even suggests that the traditional lifestyle of wage-earning husband/stay-at-home wife will normally work with less stress than the other alternatives (duck again, Dr. Laura). She actually cites some sort of study that suggests that the traditional lifestyle is healthier for both men and women in terms of avoidance of stress and health malfunctions brought about by stress. You hardly ever see such studies published or highlighted in the feminist-pandering press. And it does restore some of my faith in divine justice to contemplate scores of snarling career women and prissy househusbands suffering heart failure. But Dr. Schlessinger's effort is probably futile. As wholesome as the main body of her message is, few men or women will respect it. Male-bashing, androgyny, and the homosexualization of Western society are such firmly-entrenched social illnesses that they are perceived, in main, as NECESSARY - in the same way that an elderly man will say that his heartburn keeps him warm in the winter. The deviates have such a firm grip on our judicial system and our culture that the entrenchment of gay marriage proceeds apace, in spite of widespread - but muted - popular opposition to it. The fact that Dr. Laura herself was forced off the TV airwaves for expressing her viewpoint on homosexuality - based on traditional Judeo-Christian ethics, yet her critics were successful in portraying it as "hate speech" - shows who's routing whom in the culture war. By contrast, male-bashing doesn't even DRAW any real opposition, and females of all generations are intoxicated with the power and pleasure that it brings. So it's not likely to disappear anytime soon. And is Dr. Schlessinger even the right messenger? Does she even believe herself? She might be a sympathetic victim of lavender character assassination, but her on-air personality is one of supercilious arrogance - you'd think that she herself never took the easy way out, considering the haughty way that she lectures others. And for all her talk about the joys of domesticity and motherhood, she is principally identifiable as a psychologist, author, and talk-show hostess. How much time did she actually spent raising her family? Besides, she's a black-belt in karate, and athletically-inclined females have terminal penis-envy. They are not bastions of pro-male sentiment. Dr. Schlessinger stresses that female psychology is more complicated than male psychology, which is undoubtedly true. But I'm uncomfortable with her repeated emphasis on how SIMPLE men and their needs are - it's interwoven into a largely pro-male text like fire-engine-red warning thread. Does even Dr. Laura fully regard men as human beings? Consider the TITLE of this book. Does she think that her female readers are supporting husbands or house pets? She might have provided the answer in one recent radio broadcast, where she expressed her belief in male simplicity with less elegance than she does in this book. Scolding a female caller for giving herself too readily , Dr. Laura insisted, "MEN ARE DOGS!"
Rating: 
Summary: ladies..read it and weep!
Review: Why will we ladies be weeping? Because if we can stop being defensive..and look at ourselves honestly..we'll realize that we should be treating our men alot better.
Dr Laura's new book "the proper care and feeding of husbands" is an honest look at todays state if marriage..and relations between men and women. This book is a wake up call to me! I hear people call in all the time and talk about these issues, but seeing it in black and white---it has made me realize how insightful Dr. Laura really is. She is brilliant! Thank you Dr. Laura for using your humor and cutting to the issue!
I cant wait to finish this facinating read!
Rating:
Summary: Very Helpful, if you have an open minded
Review: I must admit that when I first started reading this book, I started to get a little ticked off because every other sentence was about how a woman needs to do this or that and I was like will you please get off our backs and when and where does a man come in at in the relationship picture. Well I kept reading and the point finally popped up and waved at me and said you need to look at yourself,realize and admitt to the things that you can change in your marriage and change them for the positive outcome. Being a woman is a wonderful gift and we have all the power we need if we use it correctly and in a loving manner. This book actually works, I tried some of the tactics the first night and what seemed like a dreadful union is turning into a match made in heaven with the sun shining even on a gloomy day. And guess What? It changed, because of my decision to be loving and mature in situations that I normally would not be. Attitudes and outlooks on things really matter and if you want a change in your relationship, open your heart and mind, buy this book and follow through. One Love
Rating:
Summary: I am worshipped
Review: I bought this book for my best friend as a wedding gift, and her husband thinks he is the luckiest man in the world. My husband worships me, and he is a strong-minded, successful, intelligent man. My best friend and I agree with everything in this book. We didn't think we needed it, but we are such big Dr Laura fans that we wanted to give it a try, and are happy we did! Nothing bad with making marriage that is 95% perfect now 98% perfect!
The reviewers who complain that Dr Laura tells women to have sex even if they don't want to, among their other complaints about the book, must not have read the book like they claimed. Dr Laura is speaking to women who regularly deny their husband sex, or put child-rearing, their job, and other things as so central that they have no energy left for their husband. This is a real problem today in many marriages, and often happens so gradually that we don't see it happening. Nothing wrong with someone pointing it out in time to prevent major damage.
For the reviewer who complained that he denied his wife sex *one time*...what? Did you read the book? I'm glad you say you are happily married, but the book is not about isolated incidents, but about regular and progressive abuse of husbands. Wives often prioritize other things over a good marriage as time passes, and Dr Laura says this is deadly for the marriage.
If women aren't specifically looking to improve their marriage, why did they pick up *this* book to read? And if you are looking for tips but found this book distasteful, then the problem may just be that you aren't willing to do what it takes to make your husband happy, and that is why you are perusing these books.
A man wants a loving wife who appreciates him and doesn't nag, doesn't refuse sex or try to control him day and night. And what is the problem with this?
If a woman doesn't think being married is important or that her husband is a significant source of her happiness and fulfillment, then don't read this book. This book is for women who adore their good man and want to take care of him as he deserves. They see him as vital and want a lifetime of happiness. We weren't all raised in intact homes or by parents who treated eachother well to be our examples. We need a source of information to do it right.
Rating:
Summary: A good man is just that-a good man-not a best girlfriend
Review: Dr. Laura writes in a style I like very much. Her style is one of telling it like it is and it's straight forward. Very similar to Dr. Phil McGraw1s writing style. To me its no wonder both of these authors are best sellers. Drawing from her radio show, listener's letters and calls into the show, Dr. Laura presents real life experiences of what does and what doesn't support a healthy marriage. I especially found one listener's thoughts that "The care and feeding of husbands is, bottom line, to walk a mile in their shoes" very potent.
I am married to a Fire Department Captain, who is a caring, sensitive, and loving man. My husband is also a strong, masculine protector and provider. I've discovered that all of those qualities are the ones I fell in love with when I first met him and yet those are also the qualities I've tried to change over the years to suit my thoughts of how I felt he should be. After reading this book, I have a deeper sense of respect, admiration and love for my husband, for who he truly is and not for who I think he should be.
Another book that has had a profound effect on my relationships is called "WORKING ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP DOESN'T WORK" written by Ariel and Shya Kane.In their book, the Kanes present keys to having exciting and enriching relationships with your loved ones as well as yourself. I highly recommend the Kanes' and Dr. Laura's book for anyone interested in having and maintaining supportive and loving relationships.
Rating:
Summary: What Do Men Want?
Review: *A man needs to feel strong and needed as a protector for women-basically, to conquer the beast and rescue the fair maiden.
*A man needs his woman to show him that she needs his strength to help her through life.
*A man needs his wife's encouragement in order to be a man. Those are just a few examples of what men want, based on Dr. Laura Schlessinger's innumerable letters, e-mails and telephone calls received from frustrated men. "[W]omen get married thinking largely about what their marriage and their men can do for them, and not what they can do for their men," she writes. Simple truths from a straight-forward woman. For over 25 years, Dr. Laura Schlessinger ("Dr. Laura") has been "preaching, teaching and nagging" on the radio, encouraging men and women to create healthy and stable homes for children. She goes a step further in The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, encouraging wives to use their power as women to create happy homes. This book speaks to the woman who criticizes, neglects or ignores her husband, a basically decent man (not the abuser or the addicted) who is often starved for his wife's attention and affection. Men are dependent on their wives for their emotional well-being, and want to be loved and appreciated by them, says Dr. Laura, a licensed marriage and family therapist. Men are self-admitted "simple creatures" who are raised by women, marry women and rely on them for a sense of security. Consequently, if the wife is not happy, the home is not happy. The book will certainly provide more fodder for Dr. Laura's detractors to chew on. The idea of considering your husband's needs above your own is old-fashioned and politically incorrect. The book is bound to draw criticism from a self-centered culture where personal happiness-and not the happiness of others-is the highest priority. In The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands, Dr. Laura offers real-life examples from letters and phone call transcripts, as well as practical advice similar to the wise counsel women once received from their mothers and grandmothers on how to keep a happy home. Such advice is also biblical. In Titus 2, older women are instructed to mentor younger women and teach them how to care for their husbands and homes. "How is it that so many women are angry with men in general yet expect to have a happy life married to one of them?" Dr. Laura asks. She believes the answer lies in the "assault upon, and virtual collapse of, the values of religious morality, modesty, fidelity, chastity, respect for life, and a commitment to family and child rearing." Another culprit is feminism, which has created much chaos between men and women. This ideology is particularly caustic to marriage. Men and women are different, yet feminism teaches that they are fundamentally the same. As a result, women create strife by heaping unrealistic and unnecessary expectations on their husbands. What Dr. Laura presents in The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands is nothing new; it's merely a reminder of something very old. "Contrary to what a good forty years of feminist propaganda has claimed, it is not oppression, subjugation, or abdication of any feminine quality-of-life potential to marry a man, be proud of your bonding, rejoice in your gifts and sacrifices for your marriage and family, and derive pleasure and sustenance from your role as a wife and mother." I am woman, hear me roar! © 2004 La Shawn Barber
Originally appeared on Townhall.com.
Rating:
Summary: KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)
Review: When I bought this book I was expecting something deep and profound. At first I was a little disappointed and wondered where is the "intellectual meat"? As I finished the book what I did find were simple explanations of basic truths I have personally experienced within married life. A few behavior scenarios written where any reader may see their actions in a new perspective and the control they have to make a positive change in their wellbeing as well as their lovers. One thought-provoking question was "why wouldn't you treat your loved ones with the same decency, concern and manners you would a guest in your home or even a stranger you would meet." The overall "warning" I got from this book was..."We" took the masculinity out of men. It is time "we" put it back. If you are a woman wondering where all the men have gone this is a book for you. If you are a woman cheering the extinction of men I recommend you pass.
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