Half the Human Experience: The Psychology of Women

Rating:
Summary: Listening to the other half...
Review: This was our textbook in Psychology of Women and probably one of the few that I actually enjoyed reading. Hyde provides meta-analysis of psychological studies in a wide variety of subjects such as gender stereotypes and differences, gender roles and ethnicity, gender and language, women and work, biological influences on women's bahavior, and many more. She supplements the meta-analysis with specific studies and critiques from various perspectives, including feminism. Actually, this book most favorably looks at the feminist theory and explanation although it does not discunt others. I think that is expected from a book titled "Half the Human Experiance." Overall, I think that this book should not only be used in the academic arena but is also a wonderful source of information for anyone who wants to understand women better. I have gained a fresh insight into myself. I also think that any man who reads this book would find many similarities between the genders (that the author stresses throughout the text) as well as gain insight into any women in his life (mother, sisters, friends, girlfriend...).
Lastly, this book is not meant to be read in order. After reading the first chapter (mostly indroductory) and the second chapter (on various psychological perspectives) the rest of the chapters can be read in any order. It is nice to just pick a topic that interest you and read about it. Then at a later time look something else up. This book has an amazing collection of information.