Sonderbooks Book Review of Truly Mars and Venus

****Truly Mars and Venus*

The Illustrated Essential Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus

by John Gray, PhD

Reviewed February 17, 2003.
HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 2003. 131 pages.

Truly Mars and Venus is a reissue of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. Normally, I hate systems that make generalizations about men and women. (You know, idiotic things like “Women don’t read maps,” or “Women aren’t good at math.” Nonsense!) However, for some reason, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus seemed to describe me well when it talked about women, and the ideas helped me relate to my husband. I noticed more often when we were speaking different languages, and we could communicate better.

You can think of Truly Mars & Venus as a refresher course for those who have already read the longer book. Or if you haven’t read Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, you can read this one quickly, and get the idea of what is being taught. If you want in-depth information, go to the earlier book. This one has all the essentials, without long discourses on any one point. Many points are illustrated with cute cartoons. I like some of the cartoons of the couples having “discussions.”

This book is so short, entertaining and easy to read that if you leave it lying around the house, your husband may pick it up and read it. Mine did, without my suggesting it in any way.

This book is a nice, entertaining reminder. For example, I had completely forgotten that saying “You should take a day off” might sound to a man like criticism rather than caring concern. I don’t like the whole media empire that has grown around the “Mars and Venus” concept, but John Gray does have some insightful ideas.

Book Reviews by Sondra Eklund

***Truly Mars and Venus

The Illustrated Essential Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus

by John Gray, PhD

****Truly Mars and Venus*