Very interesting book that helps to explain a lot about why women are biologically (hormonally) the way we are. ( )

This is an interesting book, but it suffers from a few serious issues:

* It’s definitively a sexist book. Some section clearly offend the male sensitivity (Yes dear Louann, males can have some sensitivity!). The author describes male sexuality as a “simple hydraulic device” (may be she simply met the wrong men).

* The author promotes a mechanistic and simplistic view of the human brain. She doesn't really believe in neuroplasticity, preferring the old school localizationist. Whatever is your problem, a few hormones and the usual antidepressant pills can fix it. IMHO humans should not viewed as a simple chemical device, I believe we are slightly more complex...

* The author use of evolution and human history to sustain her theories is very poor. She describes all sort of silly theories based on the evolution of the human and female brain assuming that human life has always been the same as today. Sorry Louann, our ancestors didn't go shopping, they didn't live in suburbia, neither they became grandparents at 50 (the average life was 30-35!).

* Despite the ridiculously long appendix with over 60 pages of bibliographical references, many of her statements are unsubstantiated, poorly documented, and lacking references. She offers her opinions as facts, with an excessive self-confident attitude. A more soft approach and more open mind would have made this book much more enjoyable.

Despite those limitations the book is a very rich source of information, ideas. ( )

You know how men are always complaining that they don't understand women? Or that they wish someone would write a book about how to understand them?

The Female Brain sets out to explain why women do what they do from infancy to menopause. It explains the hormonal changes behind and biological reasons for some of the great mysteries of women, like why women like to go to the bathroom together. The female brain is also compared to the male brain, so hormonal changes in men and their behavior is also discussed.

This is one book I'd recommend to everyone. It's useful if you have kids, or ever plan on having kids, or if you are in a relationship, or ever plan on being in one. I've learned a lot about myself and people around me, thanks to The Female Brain.

It's incredibly readable. It's put into language everyone can understand with plenty of relatable real life examples to keep the text flowing.

Just keep in mind one important point the author things up - while The Female Brain makes sense and explains much, no one is controlled completely by hormones. They influence us but they don't control us. ( )

The book sounded like a xenobiology text more than one about women. At times I thought Brizendine was describing an alien species rather than the gender opposite my own. Still, it was an interesting read. ( )

Interesting information, though not completely accurate. Gets you thinking, but make sure that you really think about it afterwards, rather than taking it as the gospel truth. ( )