I read this book without any previous knowledge of who the author was or her background/beliefs/credentials; without reading the reviews and not even being recommended to read it. I read it because it seemed to have useful advice for a woman like me who was not sure what she was doing wrong to her marriage but wanted to fix it.
I do not in any way consider myself conservative, I am not religious, I am not even Christian! Yet, the points made in this book opened my mind to what was wrong and helped me to change my attitude in a way that improved my marriage Immediately...and has helped many, many times since. I keep this book close and read parts of it whenever I find myself feeling selfish, stubborn or bitterly discontent with life and home.
The advice is simple and easy to follow and puts the role of a housewife with children into better perspective. It helped me to change my mind and be the wife I would want if I were in my husbands position. In return, the rewards have been overflowing and I am happier than ever.
Be open to the message and forget where it's from. I don't particularly like the author (now that I know more about her) but my opinion is this, I don't have to like the members of a band to enjoy their song and I don't have to like the actors to enjoy a movie, so why discount this book just because of who wrote it? Read it and improve your marriage.

I read this book without any previous knowledge of who the author was or her background/beliefs/credentials; without reading the reviews and not even being recommended to read it. I read it because it seemed to have useful advice for a woman like me who was not sure what she was doing wrong to her marriage but wanted to fix it.
I do not in any way consider myself conservative, I am not religious, I am not even Christian! Yet, the points made in this book opened my mind to what was wrong and helped me to change my attitude in a way that improved my marriage Immediately...and has helped many, many times since. I keep this book close and read parts of it whenever I find myself feeling selfish, stubborn or bitterly discontent with life and home.
The advice is simple and easy to follow and puts the role of a housewife with children into better perspective. It helped me to change my mind and be the wife I would want if I were in my husbands position. In return, the rewards have been overflowing and I am happier than ever.
Be open to the message and forget where it's from. I don't particularly like the author (now that I know more about her) but my opinion is this, I don't have to like the members of a band to enjoy their song and I don't have to like the actors to enjoy a movie, so why discount this book just because of who wrote it? Read it and improve your marriage.

I am a wife and mother and I totally agree with Dr. Laura's assessments in this book. Other book that helps me about this topic isI Love You. Now What?: Falling in Love is a Mystery, Keeping It Isn't

Amazon delivery was quick, the book is even better than I thought it would be. I was looking for a way to turn my mother's attitude around, and Dr. Laura has the courage to tell it like it is, I really took her words to heart.

First of all, I must admit that I was once a Dr. Laura listener. Yes, I was. I hang my head in shame. But hear me out - I was young, I thought she was a hoot and I swear on a stack of Camille Paglia that she was NOT this insane yet. She slammed people for turning their backs on their gay relatives. She was pragmatic, realistic and actually, once or twice, was kind. Then my radio station dropped her and the years have passed between us. On a lark, I looked her up today and found THIS.

Seriously? Who buys this drivel? According to the pseudo-doc men are nothing more than sandwich chomping cavemen who want to copulate and sleep. Women are somehow able to control these caveman by spending the rest of their lives (and their sense of self) flattering him, giving in to his sexual desires no matter their own needs, subjugating every part of their married life with his needs in mind only.

What woman would do this? What man would want this? Perhaps, if you feel that this will help your marriage, you have a bigger problem than can be solved by a radio shock jock.

It's not a mystery that two people (in any relationship - platonic, married, living together, gay, straight) are in better harmony when they respect each other, listen to each other and strive to treat each other kindly and with love. That's it. If you are one of the millions of simpering women who read this tripe in order to "save" your marriage, I don't even know you and I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that you have bigger problems than your huband needing three squares a day and some hot sex.

If you really feel like your marriage is dying - TALK TO YOUR HUSBAND. If he ignores you then perhaps the marriage isn't worth saving. Why is your next response to turn yourself into some Stepford Wife, mindless, "yes, dear" clone who gives up any sense of independent self to wait on a man hand and foot?

I bet a lot of you smug married ladies are now tsking over my stupdity. Perhaps that's why she's not married, you think, pausing to admire your perfect wedding ring. She's just a man-hating feminist who would never stoop to show a man that she adores him and worships him. In that case, I'll never change your mind.

But let's say that I've never wasted a moment's sleep trying to figure out how to "win" a man or "keep" a man. Having a relationship enhances my life; it does not define it. I have had terrific relationships; I'm still friends with many of my exes. I have a wonderful relationship with a man who I adore and who adores me - but we also treat each other as individuals. We have separate interests and different outlooks and we listen to each other. I don't base my self-esteem on the success of this relationship or on his estimation of me. And I fear that's what so many of the people who buy books like these do - their identity is wrapped up in being "married," in being "a wife." They suppress their own identities to shadow the man in their life. They give up their own desires to fullfill his. And, disgustingly, this sort of book encourages that sort of behavior. It glorifies it. It celebrates it.

Sure, your marriage improved because of these "skills" - what person wouldn't be immediately excited that someone was spending all their time doting on them, loving them and stroking their ego? Heck, even I'd fall for it - FOR AWHILE. But when your husbands realize that you've stopped being you - being the woman he first fell in love with - you're back at square one.

Don't waste money on this book. If you're unhappy, sit down with your spouse, tell him/her you're unhappy. Tell them why. If they don't care, leave. If they agree, figure out TOGETHER how to fix it. Stop relying on these pop-culture answers.

Plus, it's not even well-written, which is the worst thing I can write about a book. She regurgitates radio conversations, caller comments and throws in some sound bites. No effort at all. You'd be better to read Kahlil Gilbran. Read that. Think about that. Forget this.

I give this book (along with a similar book by another author targeted to men) to young engaged couples (and recommend it widely to others).

A lot of the men read her book. They rave about how well she gets it. She says "men are simple creatures". The men agree (we are simple creatures, truley we are). She explains how to interact successfully with men. The men say she has it exactly right.

This is an awesome book that strengthened my marriage. As a result, my husband is even more helpful around the house than he used to be. I highly recommend reading it with an open mind. If you are not willing to give 100% to your marriage after reading this, good luck keeping your marriage alive & healthy.

I love this book and bought it for a good friend of mine who is getting married soon. It is one of the best books that can help a woman understand her husband or men in general.

I truly enjoyed and got a lot out of Dr. Laura's Proper Care And Feeding Of Marriage, however The Proper Care And Feeding Of Husbands is a bit insulting to women. I've actually been the wife who's husband had an affair and I can honestly say, I didn't drive him to it.... What are you thinking Dr. Laura?

The title may put people off, but the content of this audiobook/book is excellent and will help couples greatly. I enjoy the audiobook as I can listen in the car and I've listened twice now to the book. It's very informative and practical advice for improving lives. Highly recommended.

What a wake-up call this book was. Having been raised by and as a feminazi (but having long since come to my senses and recently having discovered Dr. Laura's radio talk show), this book revealed a lot of common-sense truths that almost seemed too easy, too good to be true.

Truths such as, treating your husband nicely will encourage him to treat YOU nicely. Truths such as, being demanding and selfish and insisting on financial and personal independence prevents family stability (which is what we women, and our children, really, truly do want and need).

With sexism against men at an all-time high, especially in the entertainment industry, you might think, when reading this book, that Dr. Laura is out of touch with reality. But nothing could be further from the truth: Her message is one of practicing the Golden Rule, and that the surest way to get over feelings of frustration or selfishness is to give of yourself.

I was a little skeptical about some of the advice in the book, but I tried it and noticed in a change in my own outlook as well as in my hubby's behavior. I felt happier, too, about my role as homemaker and mother.

A book like this, sadly, is least likely to be read by those who need it, but I can tell you with a very clear conscience and with compassion for couples that may be struggling that only good has come from my reading it, and hope you'll give it a chance.

I found this and kept an open mind, but I just couldn't get past the negativity this book was full of. I absolutely agree that women do silly things to their men - nag, complain, whine, withhold affection, and so on. And I agree that women oftentimes would have happier husbands, happier marriages, if we stopped.

However, Dr. Laura seems so hell-bent on showing us how mean, critical, emasculation we women can be that she misses the whole aspect of - "Ok, got it, how do we change?"

Yes, "Stop nagging" is simple advice - and Dr. Laura does say that. But if I'm nagging it's because SOMETHING NEEDS TO GET DONE AND HE AIN'T DOING IT!

Dr. Laura advises we "give it up" more often to our husbands - I agree, having children, a busy home, work puts a huge damper on romance. But that alone doesn't repair the damage done or replace bad habits with good.

I would have appreciated more concrete advice on how to stop doing the nasty things that can break down the marriage by replacing them with POSITIVE action.

I found that in The Surrendered Wife: A Practical Guide To Finding Intimacy, Passion and Peace, which, while absurdly patriarchal at times, did offer solid ways I could improve our marriage. I'm a do'er - what can I *do* to fix things - and "The Surrendered Wife" was a great well of ideas (some of which I laughed at, but many of which I found value in).

By the way, I earn all the income for our family and am a far cry from traditional and/or religious values, but I so still see that men like to be treated like men, my husband included, and I'm willing to use what I can from books like these and leave the rest. My being a little softer, a little kinder and even a little less of a b*Tch, is never a bad thing.

Any woman who is having concerns about her relationship should read this book. I guarantee that it will do wonders to open a person's mind to a whole new way of thinking and, in the vast majority of cases, a MUCH happier relationship. This book changed my life and I have recommended it to countless others. Makes a PERFECT gift for a bridal shower or wedding!

Well, for the last years, men and women have been fed up with looking for this elusive and strange beast called "Happy marriage". There have been people telling they have seen it but, as Bigfoot or the Yeti, these reports come from strange lands or ancient times and most scholars tend to think that this creature is only a figment of our imagination. Sick and tired of trying to chase this mythical beast with no result, people have given up and start settling for substitutes. Men have adopted one-night stands, meaningful affairs and video games. Women have adopted single motherhood, entitlement attitude, male-bashing and shopping. Both sexes have also settled for ersazt marriages (marriage-for-the-kids, open marriages, doormat marriages and other kind of unhappy marriages) which have bring a lot of misery. But all these replacements have not made us forget the mythical beast we long for. Because in the core of the human heart there is a need for a happy long-term connection with another person and nothing can replace that.

Look no further. This book tells you all what you must do in order to have a good marriage. It is not rocket science: in fact, everything that it is explained here is plain common sense. But it is a sign of the decadence of the times that common sense is extremely uncommon. So this book was badly needed. Of course, this flies in the face of all the BS which media and so-called "pundits" have told us for the last decades (because this is what we wanted to hear). This is not wishful thinking, fairy tales or how things should be. This is how things are and what to do about it. This is the truth, plain and simple, with the good and the bad.

For women: If you want to have a happy marriage, please read this book and practice what is taught there. You will have a great marriage and a husband that gives you a hundred for one. Please read this book without prejudices and with an open mind.

For men: Give this book as a present to your girlfriend and examine her reaction. If she tells you sincerely: "This book is what I have always thought", you probably have a keeper (for marriage). If she tells you sincerely: "I thought otherwise but this book has made me think", you may have a keeper (but you will have to check that). If she tells you "This is book is nonsense. Why isn't there a book called "the proper care and feeding of wifes"? (the book explains why), please leave her PRONTO. Let her live their miserable life as a entitlement princess in an unhappy marriage, as a divorcee who strips her ex from their assets (and don't let him see his children) or as a feminist spinster in a house full of cats. Let her practice the noble art of male-bashing and think that the world is wrong and she is right. But don't let her misery ruin your life.

This book is bound to both entertain, delight and irritate people of both genders, for very different reasons. It is unlikely that after 40 years of feminist misandry, women are likely to change the habits they've picked up. There's no hope for that lost generation, but today they're reaching retirement age, and now it's the younger generations of women that matter most. What is pleasing is the number of young women I meet who've clearly rejected the attitudes of a generation of women who are now nearing retirement age lonely and single. The problem with books like these though, is that they always present stereotypical men and women who seem about as lifelike as Ken and Barbie.

Besides that, the author obviously felt compelled to offset her unpopular message to women by belittling men at the same time, as if to cheer her female readers up a little. She claims that man is a "very simple creature," who needs only "direct communication, respect, appreciation, food, and good loving'" to respond with devotion, compassion and love. What she means is that, compared with women, men are emotionally uncomplicated. No argument there. But could we call Thomas Edison a very simple creature because his emotional needs were uncomplicated? A very simple creature would have been unable to change the world with his inventive and creative genius, or have an intellect that has doubled the world's population in a few centuries. If that is a simple creature, then what name to give a creature which has shown and shows no creative drive or gift of invention, despite occupying 60% of university study places in the USA? 'Extremely simple'? 'Unbelievably uncreative'? Or 'Just plain stupid?'? In a perfect world, a person making such a claim would be condemned to one month living only on female inventions, although admittedly, that may qualify as a cruel and unusual punishment.

Besides her own prejudices though, this is a book which offers some interesting food for thought. Ultimately, everyone has to work out their own unique relationship though, and should just use this book for tips rather than as some kind of relationship bible. Perhaps the biggest failing of this book and many others like it, is that they lead people to the false conclusion that happiness is to be found through another person. No system of spiritual advancement has ever advocated finding strength and happiness through someone else. It is up to all of us to ensure that we spiritually grow, which is our main purpose as human beings, be that with a partner or not. The western fantasy of romance has caused so much unnecessary misery. It is interesting and revealing to note that women from cultures where romantic relationships are the exception, and marriages are more practical affairs, that these women are made of far stronger emotional material than western women, many of whom remain children inside, looking for a man to replace their parents, or the security of their family homes. Remember to always keep your own spiritual development in mind, that the western concept of romantic love is artificial, not naturally evolved or the only form of relationship, and that a guarantee for eventual unhappiness is to seek strength in another.

That should be the subtitle. Within the pages of this book is advice that will, if you follow it to a 'T,' help you to become the miserable you-know-what Dr. Laura already thinks you are.

The following are a few of the more pathetic pieces of "advice" she vomits out:

1) Don't talk to your husband about your problems, talk to your girlfriends. You husband is only here to meet physical needs (his more than yours), not to listen to you "whine."

--I suggest you ask your spouse about this before swallowing it hook, line, and sinker in the name of wifely submission. It might sound good to him on the surface, but mention that it means you'll be complaining to your friends about him as well. If he's any sort of human being, he probably won't like it.

1b) Women don't want their problems solved, they only want to whine.

--Really? News to me, as well as to most reasonable women. Now, there ARE women who don't. There are women who just want to whine, I'm related to a lot of them. They are not the type of woman who will read this book. They type of woman who will read this book is the one who feels there is a problem in her marriage and wants to solve it...uh, I think I'm beginning to see where Dr. Laura's "logic" fails.

2) What a woman wants out of a marriage is what she sees on a soap opera, without the affairs.

--This, of course, assumes that all women waste their time watching soap operas in the first place. I would presume that when (ha-ha) she gets around to writing "The Proper Care & Feeding of Wives" she will advise husbands to spend time watching these types of shows so they can be better husbands.

3) You have "let yourself go" (ie you are now fat) and you dress like a bag. Dress sexy and get in shape, then your husband will like you.

--Another assumption of Dr. Laura is that fat women never get married. The only type of bride Dr. Laura has ever seen is a skinny one. Of all the advice she offers this is, hands down, the most damaging. There are going to be women out there who are already skinny, already doing all the other crap she suggests in this book, and they are going to think, "If only I become thinner, then he'll respect me." Our culture's obsession with weight isn't bad enough, Dr. Laura wants every woman to essentially starve herself until she's thin enough to please her fickle husband.

In short, the gist of Dr. Laura's book is that, unless a man wants to have children, he would be better off with a cook, a housekeeper, and a prostitute. You are a worthless piece of crud who doesn't even deserve him.

In my opinion, this book is a "must read" for any one looking at getting married, male or female. Any married woman that is feeling "not quite satisfied" in her marriage would do well to give this book a try. If I were a man, I would buy a copy for my wife and encourage her to read it, maybe even read it together. A lot of good information. Save the money on the marriage counselor, buy this book and act on it!

A breath of fresh air is what this book is!
To quote:
* A change in attitude and a commitment to quality actions can bring such profound joy.

* Take responsibility for you own well being; stay rested, don't over commit and then complain, stay in touch with friends with a positive influence.

To quote me: Don't think for a minute that others find a hard working, faithful, loving man as being the schmuck- (you fill in the word) that you think he is.

* Me:Don't put making love to your husband after all of your other commitments! That's just idiotic!

There are literally thousands of women out there that would love to be my husband's wife. I have never taken him for granted or lessen him as a man.

My husband is hardly perfect, but neither am I. But he is the man, as Dr. Laura says, I chose to be the father of my children and the man I made a vow to.

How can I treat him any thing but kindness and respect. I what I get back for that effort is incredible!

Excellent no-nonsense classic Dr. Laura, telling women how to stop whining, complaining and being focused on themselves, and instead start to notice, care about and treat their husband right. The narrative is thickly padded with sizable excerpts from Dr. Laura's radio conversations and even letters from her listeners; however, the excerpts certainly serve to illustrate her points. Altogether a great, fairly quick read that helps to change the reader to get a "new attitude".

I found this book sensationalistic and the title in particular designed for shock value, of which Dr. Laura is a master. This book was given to me by my mother when my husband and I were having problems, despite the fact that our problems had absolutely nothing to do with me not "honoring and respecting" him. Quite the other way around actually. But I read the book anyway so that I could have a fully informed opinion. And my opinion is that this is a complete waste of time, effort, energy and money. Buying it will give you the false hope that it will help. Unless your relationship problems are wholly superficial, it won't. And if they are, why do you need it anyway?
Books like this aren't going to fix your relationship/marriage if it's in trouble. In my case, my husband had a serious mood imbalance that was aided through medication (even therapy did nothing to help him). He's a different person today - relaxed, fun to be around. The guy I originally fell in love with. The problem I see with books like this is that they try to give people the false notion that complex relationship dynamics, which vary substantially from couple to couple, can be neatly tied up and summarized in a book. Wrong.

Anything "helpful" Dr. Laura has to say is flat out common sense that you can aquire for free. Everything else is mindless fluff that's at best useless and at worst offensive, misleading and unhelpful.

Bottom line: if your marriage or relationship is in trouble, this book won't help. If it's not, then this book won't do you any good and you don't need it anyway.

If you are having troubles in your relationship, I recommend this book. From a woman's perspective, it gives insight on how to treat men in a way where we, women, won't push them away with our misconceptions, plus, we get a look at what we are doing wrong in the relationship to contribute negatively to the arguments or to create them. I love this books and it saved my marriage. Men are simple creatures and this books outlines their simpleness. If we women pay attention to what really matters instead of worrying about the little things, the relationship will grow. The book helps focus on what counts and emphazises the importance of communication. Please women, listen to me and buy this book, our men deserve better, they are not the guilty parties as we always want to make them seem and this book made me realize this!!!

"...women get married thinking largely about what their marriage and their man can do for them, and not what they can do for their men. And when there is so little emphasis on the giving, the nitpicking and pettiness chews up and spits out what could have been a good marriage." ~ pg. 3

In "The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands" Dr. Laura Schlessinger promotes traditional family values. It is no surprise then that she wants men and women to adapt to more traditional roles. Since men and women are quite different at heart, she encourages her reader to fit into the roll of stay at home mom or provider. Women are then expected to cook, pay their husband attention sexually and raise their children. Men are expected to be the main provider and are to be treated as the knight in shinning armor.

While this may work for many people, you may find yourself in a less than traditional role. This book is truly for women with a dominant feminine energy and men with a dominant male energy.

While reading this book I felt that Dr. Laura was mostly taking the guy's side. I noticed two main stories and how they played out. In a story about Valentine's Day, maybe Dr. Laura could try seeing it from a female perspective. It is devastating for a woman to be forgotten on Valentine's Day. End of Story. There is also a story about a man and how he deals with his wife forgetting his birthday. Both stories are sad but have easy solutions. Mark the dates of important events on your calendar once a year. For some reason Dr. Laura doesn't say to do this but it should have been something she advised.

The chapter on sex is enlightening but doesn't address the differences in sex drive. Dr. Laura seems to promote sex whenever the husband wants it despite a woman's need for romance. If guys want more sex, give more romance. Why doesn't Dr. Laura give this advice in her book? I assume it is because this book will mostly be read by women since it is about taking care of your man.

I liked the ideas about cooking since my husband says I keep him well fed. We have a little routine of going to the store for ingredients to try out new recipes. My husband will sometimes tear recipes out of magazines and ask me to try them. This works well because I love to cook. I also have a schedule which allows me to have time for cooking. Women who are working more hours are not as likely to have as much time. Dr. Laura recommends that women cut out some of their "to do list" to make room for their husband's needs.

Overall this book has some good ideas about not being an "out of control" woman so your husband is not neglected. Mothering and nagging are to be avoided at all costs. Some of the stories in this book are a little shocking due to the level of abuse in some relationships. For the most part the people writing in have seen the light and agree with Dr. Laura's point of view.

I was a little shocked actually that Dr. Laura recommended getting rid of a family pet just because it was hissing at the husband. Cats give a lot of love and can easily be trained to be more loving. How about a few kitty treats and a nice brushing. The cat was probably just a little jealous and could have learned to love the husband too. There is a solution for everything and sometimes it is easier than you think.

~The Rebecca Review

Dr. Laura always shoots the straight goods & this book is no exception to her track record. She's not intending to solve all the world's problems, but she does speak directly to the heart of MANY problems our American families struggle with in today's culture. Proper Care is a practical, kick-butt, inspiring book that ANY woman would benefit from. It's also a great gift book!

Dr. Laura always shoots the straight goods & this book is no exception to her track record. She's not intending to solve all the world's problems, but she does speak directly to the heart of MANY problems our American families struggle with in today's culture. Proper Care is a practical, kick-butt, inspiring book that ANY woman would benefit from. It's also a great gift book!

We find in relationships when we have problems that respect is really the biggest issue. Dr. Laura's book " The Proper Care and feeding of husbands" is a mind changing book. Dr. Laura is an in your face kind of gal. When I was in highschool I was first introduced to her by my Latin teacher during a free-period when I helped grade tests, and papers. I was shocked as I had never heard anyhting like her radio show...a strong woman...I was amazed.
I came to read this book years later when I was struggling with a relationship. Everything in this book clicked with me. When you're in a bad way in a relationship- as much as you want it to be right- you create your own barrier most times. It taught me to be respectful, gratuitous, and to remember the hard work that every person commits to the relationship. Instead of nagging about what you don't like- cut some slack and appreciate what you do like.
Dr. Laura also addressed the issue of insecurity. She made me realize that part of why I was not happy with my significant other was because I was not happy with myself. That alone gave me the courage to do what I needed to do for me. It's a book about respecting the ones you love, and respecting yourself.

If you're worried about slipping decades back in the feminist movement by following Dr. Laura's advice, then you'll probably skip right past the common sense advice. Dr. Laura promotes celebrating the differences between husbands and wives. Generation X and all that came after have been brain washed into thinking that there is something wrong with being a woman. This book points out the beauty of how men and women can compliment each other. Men have their roles - they are men. Women have their roles - which are no less valuable to the world or marriage - they are women. This book can truly change your marriage.

This book is not as bad as some people have reviewed it to be. Although, I found a lot of the content to be common sense. You know...mutual respect, making the other person in the relationship feel wanted and needed. Plus, it implies that if you follow all this advice, your husband will be putty in your hands. I gave it a shot and did not really see any difference.

This book has helped our marriage in more ways than one. Our relationship, our parenting, our intimacy, our friendship. This book was exactly what I needed!

This is a really great book for anyone married: men and women. I think we forget to look at things in our lives from the other persons viewpoint. We start getting stuck in our "hurts" and our "feelings." We as women forget men have feelings too.

This book will help you appreciate your husband more and realize why you married in the first place.

If you don't like the book or the author, don't follow its principles. If you want a healthy and happy marriage: read this book! It could save your marriage!

This book confirmed my own belief on how a woman should care for her man, and in return he will meet all her needs. What could be more of a truth on giving then real life experiences. I highly recommend this book for all those who want a meaningful life.

Basically Dr. Laura tells us that we need to shut the hell up and cater to our husbands in order to get them to treat us well.

While it seems like a smack in the face, I guess having a relationship as such is what all men dream of...so when we give them that, they feel good, and in turn - they give us what we want.

Seriously though, I think it's important that we treat our men how we want to be treated - and not nag them or irritate them with neverending, meaningless ramblings. (we'd hate it if they did that to us)

So, I guess she makes some good points...it's worth reading if you're a woman who's wondering why her husband is annoyed with her or stonewalling all the time.

The message of this book can be summed up pretty easily. 1. Women have all the power in the household, they have just forgotten how to wield it (as a guy, I have no problem with this). 2. Men and women have fundamentally different needs (why is this actually a surprise to some people?) 3. Men, in point of fact, are not women and should not have the same expecations placed upon them (we're not your girlfriends; polls confirm that men actually prefer dining on shards of glass to chatting for hours on end). 4. The nicer you treat us, the nicer we treat you (you'd think that one would be self evident, wouldn't you?) 5. Women who let themselves go to pot, deny us sex, and use nagging as their preferred method of communicatiion for years on end, and then think that we will respond to this wonderful treatment with tenderness, love, and faithfullness are in for a very big surprise (that being in the form of divorce papers and mistresses who fill those voids experienced at home (mind you, this is equally applicable to men as well)).
I'm not entirely sure, but I think that Dr. Laura may actually be a guy; she seems to know them that well.
Let me be very clear... this book has NOTHING to do with a supposed reversal of feminism. There is nothing here saying that women can't have fulfilling and successful lives in any arena they choose. Ladies, the choice you have is very simple. If you are in an otherwise healthy relationship, and you want a happy man, follow the advice in this book. If you are not that interested in a happy man, don't bother.

If more wives listened to Dr. Laura the divorce rate would go down, down, down.

The basic premise of this book is that women are manipulative creatures who should only be interested in cooking, sex for their husbands, taking care of children, and keeping all negative thoughts to themselves. I thought that I was missing something from this book, so I gave it to my husband to read. He was actually insulted that Dr. Laura called him "simple," and thought that the book was way off the mark. Only buy this book if you are also willing to get a lobotomy so that you can become a Stepford Wife, too.

I listen to Dr. Laura every day and this book met my expectations

My wife read this book and my marriage has SIGNIFICANTLY improved. I feel much better about my marriage and my wife even smiles at me and hugs me and enjoys being around me.

If you are a wife, please please please read this book with an open heart. And please don't be too put off by the urgency/tone of the author, she REALLY DOES have a lot of good things to say if you are willing to really listen.

Also recommended is: "For Women Only" and "For Men Only" by Shaunti Feldhahn.

As a young woman who has a relatively stressful job as an attorney (and about to get married), I really appreciated this book. Many women look at the title, and think, this isn't the 18th Century where I should have to care for/feed my husband. At least, that is what I thought. The book, however, was refreshingly more about woman empowerment. While my soon-to-be husband has little (well as far as those that are voiced) complaints, it was nice to read about ways to improve upon my relationship (and ultimately my life). We're often all too busy doing for ourselves when we should be seeking out how we may help and care for those closest around us.

Can't get all the way through this one. Not what I expected. Dr. Laura has a tendency to generalize every situation. Doesn't take into consideration variables in each caller's situation.

Excellent information. I want to be prepared with the right knowledge and wisdom. Dr. Laura is "real". Her words are very truthful and liberating.

Many have a knee-jerk negative reaction to any book that flies in the face of current feminist "wisdom," but if the naysayers would really read and listen, they would see that what Dr. Laura is advcating is equity (NOT sameness) and fairness in the home. Example: if a woman says she wants to be treated like a queen and be pampered by her man, she's encouraged and praised. But if a man expresses a desire to be treated like a king, he's labeled a sexist jerk... Or if a woman complains about her husband not helping around the house or not doing t well enough, she's just expressing her needs, but if a man is upset because of her lacking in that department, again...sexist jerk. If she wants a spa day, she's just getting some well-deserved "me" time, but if he wants to golf with his buddies, he's being selfish and demanding. Hmmm. doesn't quite sound fair to me. Dr. Laura makes the assertion that most men are basically decent people with basic, simple needs - respect, a good meal, admiration, praise, sexual fulfillment - who will walk through fire to please the wife who meets these needs. On the other hand, wives who disrespect and dismiss their husbands and their needs shouldn't expect to be rewarded for their behavior. This is a book filled with common-sense advice that will make for some very happy marriages if readers will just listen with an open mind rather than jumping to wrong conclusions. Every wife should read this book.

Dr. Laura really "preached" to the women about taking care of their man. I guess we can add Preacher to her title now too. We already know she's not a "real" counselor. This was a huge waste of money and time.

I know Dr. Laura's advice flies in the face of conventional wisdom among women's libbers. However, Dr. Laura very succinctly lays out that about all it takes to have a sincerely joyful marriage is to be nice to our spouses. Wow!! What a concept. This book tell you exactly how to be nice, something we may have forgotten after years of work, kids and marriage juggling.
I really, really recommend this book and after I read it, I passed it on to my newlywed daugher who's 24. She gavve it kudos, as well.

This book has been such an inspiration for me to follow, it's the ideal gift for every woman. Society in general would benefit greatly by the changes women can reflect after applying what we've learned in this book, I can't say enough on how much I enjoyed reading it- it is an absolute keeper, one I will sure pass on to my daughter for her family's benefit and all cherished girlfriends.

I always thought that there was nothing I could do to "change" my husband's mood and such. This book proves you can!

I think this book is excellent. When your marriage is headed down hill and you are done with denial and blaming, it's time for you to read this book. If you truly read it with an open mind and practice the basic premises you WILL see results. I am so thankful that I read this book, my marriage is better for it. It teaches to appreciate the differences between a man and a women instead of fight them. I think it's a really great book.

Having been immensely entertained by Helen Andelin's 'Fascinating womanhood' I thought I would try this book. However, I found it a big disappointment, it isn't nearly as funny as 'Fascinating Womanhood', and in fact much of the advice given in the book is quite rational, if somewhat brutally presented.

Dr Schlessinger's basic premise is that men are simple creatures who only want respect, admiration and feeding in order to be happy. A man is putty in his wife's hands and she has the power to make or break him. I have not personally found that men are always such simple, gentle people as she describes them as being. For instance, she admonishes women not to nag or criticise their husbands, which is all very well, but what if your husband is the one who is nagging and critical (as I have known to be the case in more than one marriage I know, my own included). I know that there are some very selfish and tyrannical wives and some terribly put-upon men, because Dr Laura's book is full of quotes from her radio show, and obviously these are genuine conversations she is quoting. Husbands can be tyrannical as well, but they are not dealt with in this book. However, she does mention that there are variations in human beings, and I suppose one must be satisfied with that.

Much of the advice given is very sound, and it differs in many respects from the 'Fascinating Womanhood' position. Dr Laura does not say that women shouldn't work outside the home for instance, though she does say that the family should have priority over work (which I frankly agree with). And, unlike Mrs Andelin, she recommends gratifying a man's sexual desires fully and not holding anything back (chasing my husband around the house, which one of her male correspondents recommends is beyond me I fear) Dr Laura does not, thankfully, recommend that a woman try to be like both Dora and Agnes from 'David Copperfield' as Mrs Andelin does, nor does she suggest cooing like cat or purring like a pigeon, and there is absolutely no mention of snakes in this book (from 'Fascinating Womanhood' I had dervied the impression that the USA is a country where the entire populace spend much of their time grappling with snakes). There are things in this book that I wish I had read when I was younger and my marriage was in a very rocky state.

If you want advice on how to improve your marriage, and you don't mind Dr Laura's somewhat harsh style, and you don't mind being told that responsibility for improving eh marraige rests entirely with you, the woman, then there is some sound advice here. For sheer entertainment value though, I recommend 'Fascinating Womanhood'.

The book hits the nail on the head for exactly how I felt about my marriage. My wife, however, refused to read it. I wish she would, but then, I don't read her books either.
If you are a woman, it's a good read to understand what your husband actually feels. I have to warn you that the language is very strong and may seem overbearing. Nonetheless, the content is dead on.

Very insightful and very blunt. I am interested in reading her new one, Proper Care and Feeding of Marriages now.

IM OLD FASHION EVEN THOUGH IM 40 YRS OF AGE. I THINK A WOMAN SHOULD BE A HELP MATE FOR THEIR HUSBANDS AND TO MAKE THEM KNOW AND FEEL THEY ARE THE MAN.

This was the best book I have ever read for my marriage. After reading it myself, my husband and I read it together. It did him a world of good too and has sparked many meaningful converations.