What Women Want

Acknowledging fundamental differences between the sexes without falling into the trap of gender bashing or stereotyping, coauthors Bechtel and Stains take on the formidable task of guiding men through the seemingly endless contradictions that constitute what women want from men. Drawing primarily from the candid responses of more than 2,000 female interview subjects, they offer insight and practical advice fit for the romantic novice or pro on topics as diverse as ways to divvy the challenge of child care, differing communication styles (men's ""report talk"" vs. women's ""rapport talk""), dealing with a mate who earns more, tips for spicing up the marriage bed (including remembering to ""date"" you wife), the 12 commandments of dating (showering and brushing teeth top the list) and suggestions for ending a relationship. Above all, they stress the importance romance holds for most women. The authors cover nearly every imaginable topic related to living with and loving women, and men seeking help in the more mechanical aspects of lovemaking won't be let down; entire chapters are devoted to foreplay, oral sex, fantasies, orgasms and accounts of ""best sex ever."" A lighthearted approach and straightforward style (topic-specific chapters, highlighted main points, humorous analysis and plenty of charts) make this manual perfectly suited for cover-to-cover reading or a quick perusal. (Apr.)