It's a Jungle Out There, Jane: Understanding the Male Animal in Your Life - Softcover

Browne M.D., Joy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0609805215 ISBN 13: 9780609805213

Publisher: Three Rivers Press, 2000

Synopsis

Ever wonder why . . .
Men freeze when women say, "We have to talk"?
Men just can't pick up after themselves?
Guys in restaurants choose the seat with its back against the wall?
Most men hate surprise parties?

The good news is that men are not from Mars and women are not from Venus, but the rest of the story is that we all -- men and women -- are animals, with instincts that tell us how we should feel, act, and react. Relationship expert Dr. Joy Browne explains that to understand how the man in your life thinks, talks, loves, stays, or strays, you need to understand the animal within. This doesn't mean you have to "tame" your man, but with Dr. Joy's trademark smart, funny, and nonjudgmental advice, you can get into his mind and figure out why he is the way he is at work or at play, in the boardroom, the bedroom, or in front of the TV. The result? A better relationship with your mate . . . and no more fighting like cats and dogs.

About this title

Review

Feisty talk-show shrink Dr. Joy Browne promises and delivers here an exploration of "the evolution of male behavior, from the primordial ooze to the post-coital snooze." What are the real differences between men and women, where did these come from, and what can we do about them to make relationships work? "Dr. Joy" attempts to answer those questions in her trademark spunky style. She points out many (annoying) male traits that have their foundation in biological evolution. For example, the dominant "boss" position--rocking back in his chair, feet up on the desk, arms stretched back behind his head--is equivalent to the chest thrust of the alpha male gorilla! But Browne isn't just interested in biological evolution ("that stuff makes glaciers look speedy"), she's also interested in social evolution. Browne explains how and why men react to everything from making love to housework.

Browne, as always, is informative and fun. Even her chapter titles are peppy and amusing: "Locking Horns" (conflict), "Roaring" (communication), "Plumage" (appearance), and "Going for the Kill" (money), for example. She gives frequent advice to "Tarzan" or "Jane," and includes comments in each chapter about how boys are raised to be men, and interesting tidbits about how male animals act in the wild.

"This book can help you understand why guys act, think, talk, love, make love, stay, stray, tune-out, tune-in and turn-on the way they do," says Browne. And if you want some direct advice, Jane, "Ask specifically for what you want. Don't whine. Stick to the problem at hand and never, ever insult his mother." --Joan Price

From the Back Cover

"[Dr. Joy is] the spiritual daughter of Ann Landers and Dear Abby."
-- New York Times

Edition details

• Publisher: Three Rivers Press
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0609805215
• ISBN 13: 9780609805213
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 272