Audiobook Review
Relationship counselor John Gray focuses on the differences between men and women--men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, after all--and offers a simple solution: couples must acknowledge and accept these differences before they can develop happier relationships. In this unabridged version, Gray gives a spirited delivery of his message, especially when role-playing typical male/female interactions. Although it takes some time to adjust to his slightly nasal tone, the information is sound and gives both men and women helpful hints on improving themselves and their union. (Running time: 9.5 hours, 6 cassettes) --Sharon Griggins

From Publishers Weekly
Psychotherapist Gray ( What You Feel You Can Heal ) adds to the growing number of self-help books that assess marital and relationship problems in terms of distinct and pervasive gender differences. Unfortunately, his overuse of gimmicky, often silly analogies and metaphors makes his otherwise down-to-earth guide hard to take seriously. Here Martians (men) play Mr. Fix-It while Venusians (women) run the Home-Improvement Committee; when upset, Martians "go to their caves" (to sort things out alone) while Venusians "go to the well" (for emotional cleansing). While graphically illustrative, the hyperbolic, overextended comparisons, particularly in the chapters that refer to men as rubber bands and women as waves, significantly detract from Gray's realistic insights. Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Couples counselor Gray addresses the topic of male-female relationships with humor, insight, and understanding. Author of What You Feel , You Can Heal (Heart Pub., 1989), he offers practical advice on understanding the opposite sex and achieving satisfactory relationships. He argues that we must accept the fact that men and women have different values, communication styles, and intimate needs, then offers practical tips on avoiding painful arguments, asking for support, and communicating during difficult times. His "Venusian/Martian" phrase dictionary lists statements made by men and women and the ways in which they are often misinterpreted. Written in a light tone that keeps the reader's interest, this is a very helpful source for couples trying to keep love alive. Recommended for self-help and therapy collections.- Demetria A. Harvin, "Hospital Medicine," New YorkCopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
The metaphor Dr. Gray uses to describe the psychological separation between the sexes-that men and women are originally from different planets-is clever but oversimplified. Dr. Gray's presentation is upbeat and humorous, and it makes the nearly ten-hour audio production easy to listen to...at first. Many of his points are stressed and restressed-a device this audiobook really doesn't require, considering Gray's preponderance of examples and supporting arguments for each concept. The result is a feeling that the point has been pounded into one's brain. (For some of us, that might be a good thing!) This audiobook may not change your romantic life, but it's a positive step toward trying to unravel the mystery of the sexes. R.A.P. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Book Description
Popular marriage counselor and seminar leader John Gray provides a unique, practical and proven way for men and women to communicate and relate better by acknowledging the differences between them. Once upon a time Martians and Venusians met, fell in love, and had happy relationships together because they respected and accepted their differences. Then they came to earth and amnesia set in: they forgot they were from different planets. Using this metaphor to illustrate the commonly occurring conflicts between men and women, Gray explains how these differences can come between the sexes and prohibit mutually fulfilling loving relationships. Based on years of successful counseling of couples, he gives advice on how to counteract these differences in communication styles, emotional needs and modes of behavior to promote a greater understanding between individual partners. Gray shows how men and women react differently in conversation and how their relationships are affected by male intimacy cycles ("get close", "back off"), and female self-esteem fluctuations ("I'm okay", "I'm not okay"). He encourages readers to accept the other gender's particular way of expressing love, and helps men and women learn how to fulfill each other's emotional needs. With practical suggestions on how to reduce conflict, crucial information on how to interpret a partner's behavior and methods for preventing emotional "trash from the past" from invading new relationships, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus is a valuable tool for couples who want to develop deeper and more satisfying relationships with their partners.

About the Author
John Gray, Ph.D., an internationally recognized expert in the fields of communication and relationships, and the author of twelve bestsellers, has been conducting personal-growth seminars for thirty years.He is a Certified Family Therapist (National Academy for Certified Family Therapists), a consulting editor of the Family Journal, a member of the Distinguished Advisory Board of the international Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, and a member of the American Counseling Association.John lives with his wife and three children in Northern California.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
A Practical Guide for Improving Communication and Getting What You Want in Your Relationships

ANNOTATION

A practical guide for improving communication and getting what you want in your relationships. 2 CDs.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The national bestseller in its complete form.

Once upon a time, Martians and Venusians met, fell in love, and had happy relationships together because they respected and accepted their differences. Then they came to Earth and amnesia set in: they forgot they were from different planets.

Using this metaphor to illustrate the commonly occurring conflicts between men and women, Dr. John Gray explains how these differences can come between the sexes and prohibit mutually fulfilling, loving relationships. Based on years of successful counseling of couples and individuals, he gives advice on how to counteract these differences in communication styles, emotional needs and modes of behavior to promote a greater understanding between individual partners.

Now available in its complete, unabridged form, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus is an invaluable tool for developing deeper and more satisfying relationships.

Read by the author.

Also available abridged on one cassette - 1559948787- $12.00; and abridged on CD - 0694517208 - $18.00.

￯﾿ﾽ

Author Biography: John Gray, Ph.D., is the author of Mars and Venus on a Date, a follow-up to his phenomenal bestselling book Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, which has sold more than 6 million copies in the United States and millions more in 40 languages around the world. Gray is also the author of the bestselling Mars and Venus in the Bedroom, Mars and Venus Together Forever, Men, Women and Relationships, What Your Mother Couldn't Tell You and Your Father Didn't Know, the recently published Mars and Venus in Love, and the star of a new CD-ROM version of Men Arefrom Mars, Women Are from Venus.

An internationally regarded expert in the field of communication, relationships and personal growth, Dr. Gray's focus is assisting men and women in understanding, respecting and appreciating their differences. Over the past quarter century he has conducted public and private seminars with a total of more than a million participants. In his highly acclaimed books and in his popular weekend seminar, "Men, Women and Relationships," Gray entertains and inspires his audiences with practical insights and easy-to-use techniques that they can apply to enrich their relationships immediately.

Gray is happily married to Bonnie Gray and has three daughters — Laren, Julie and Shannon. He not only understands first-hand the principles of successful marriage, he's also experienced the serious problems that can trouble any union, having previously married and divorced.

Gray lived as a monk for nine years, which helped him to learn about solitude and serenity. He studied for many years with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and received both his B.A. and his M.A. in Creative Intelligence from Maharishi European Research University. In 1982 received his doctorate in psychology and human sexuality from Columbia Pacific University.

John Gray is a popular speaker on the national lecture circuit and makes frequent appearances on television and radio programs to discuss his work. Gray has been interviewed on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Donahue, Good Morning America, Eye to Eye With Connie Chung, CNBC and CNN, as well as on countless local television and radio programs across the country. He has been profiled in USA Today and People magazine, and is regularly quoted in Cosmopolitan , Glamour and other popular magazines.

FROM THE CRITICS

Readers Catalog

It is rare to find a non-fiction book that is a page turner, but John Gray has written one. — Susan Page

Michael Anderson

John Gray suggests that men and women are from different planets and that this 'fact' explains commonly occuring conflicts between them. He offers 'advice on understanding the opposite sex and achieving satisfactory relationships. He argues that . . . men and women have different values, communication styles, and intimate needs, then offers practical tips on avoiding painful arguments, asking for support, and communicating during difficult times. His 'Venusian/Martian' phrase dictionary lists statements made by men and women and the ways in which they are often misinterpreted.' -- Library Journal

The Readers Catalog