Are Men Necessary? Audiobook By Maureen Dowd cover art

Are Men Necessary?

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Are men afraid of smart, successful women? Why did feminism fizzle? Why are so many of today's women freezing their faces and emotions in an orgy of plasticity? Is "having it all" just a cruel hoax?

In this witty and wide-ranging book, Maureen Dowd looks at the state of the sexual union, raising bold questions and examining everything from economics and politics to pop culture and the "why?" of the Y chromosome. These new writings will delight her devoted readers - and anyone trying to sort out the chaos that occurs when sexes collide.

©2005 Maureen Dowd; (P)2005 Penguin Audio Gender Studies Social Sciences Equality Popular Culture

Critic reviews

“A blistering critique of modern gender relations.”—Salon

“Fun...plenty of style and wit.”—Baltimore Sun

“She'll keep you turning pages...Dowd has a voice that carries.”—People

“No one vets the culture with a keener eye than Dowd.”—Chicago Tribune

“Maureen Dowd has waded into the one topic more controversial than politics: sexual politics.”—Austin American-Statesman

“The New York Times columnist is dizzyingly well-read and well-rounded, with references from Oscar Wilde to Valley of the Dolls. My favorite part was when she casually flund the phrase 'as Carmen Miranda used to say' into a discussion of the Enron scandal...very lively...always entertaining.”—Chicago Sun-Times

“[Dowd] discusses sexual realities and absurdities, doing so with the same verve and nerve with which she handled the other hot-button topic—politics—in her 2004 bestseller, Bushworld...hilarious, cutting, and provocative.”—Booklist

“Readable, provocative, and entertaining.”—*Library Journal

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The conservatives are bashing this delightful, fun, sexy observation of the state of affairs between men and women as poorly researched and manipulative. But the author herself says in the prologue that she's not attempting an academic or scientific book. It's clear that Ms. Dowd is using her wit and wisdom, and her position as a respected social commentator, to give her take on a topic that is so important to herself and, well, everyone else if they're honest.

Let's face it, as Dowd herself admits, do any of us even have a clue about love and sex? I like it that she relies on her own experience, and intuition, those of her friends and family, and yes, even the movies, to comment on the relationships of men and women. I like it that the author, rather than being a male or female basher (as some have said), loves men and loves being a woman. and I especially like it, that this book comes from a baby-boomer, and not from a twenty of thirty something. It's no surprise that it younger readers don't much appreciate the views of an experienced, smart, sexy "woman of a certain age". They don't get it, and probably won't until much later in their lives.

It's a great book, a fun read, with some comments that don't quite ring true, but so what? If we take it for what it is, with the sense of warmth and humor that comes through in the writing; it could be the spark for lots of interesting, funny, sexy conversations.

Smart and Fun

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Ms Dowd is not only a first rate reporter but also a political pundit of the highest order with a fluid and engaging writing style. I am a great fan, I thoroughly enjoyed Bush World and am a regular reader of her columns in the NY Times.
Unfortunately I found this book difficult to complete due to the manner in which the subject matter (the title is self explanatory) is approached. The general construction of the book is disjointed. There is only one chapter in which she draws upon her considerable political acumen. She arbitrarily inserts unnecessary salacious sexual crudities to the point of distraction, I have no objection to sexual crudities but they should be a natural part of the narrative flow not just thrown into the text with no apparent good reason.
Though the style of writing is certainly up to Ms Dowd's normal high standards I was disappointed, perhaps to some extent due to my own high expectations. However, I found the theme inconsistent and the points made less than compelling. Most of all Ms Dowd's brilliant satiric phrasing is replaced, for the most part, by sarcasm. Pity!

Not really!

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What did you like best about Are Men Necessary?? What did you like least?

It started out like a good comparison of men and woman. Then the book becomes a diatribe on femininity. Got boring.

Eh, I expected better.

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No. I am a big fan of her columns but this book just proves that some things are better in smaller quantities. After only a couple chapters I felt like she was recycling arguments and re-hashing. Also, unlike Al Franken and others whose voices add to the experience, her nasal whine just wears the reader down. Definitely one I wished I had not spent the money for.

Is this BOOK really necessary?

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Generally, I much prefer author-read titles, but the great writer Dowd is a lousy narrator—voice coaching recommended.

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