David Deida

I would give this book a 2.5 rating.

Critiques I agree with;
1. Way too repetitive
2. Cheesy, soft porn style at times
3. He describes an ideal without explaining how mere mortals can get there
4. He uses the word God when he means sacred love

I read his Superior Man book which was a star better than this. I wanted to get the other perspective, which is why I picked this one up. I feel he is way better at depicting the source of the issues many women (and men) have at reaching their full human potential in love, sex and relationships, than he is in giving practical advice at how to avoid these issues. He is a bit better at that in the Superior Man book.

As for those who complain this book is sexist and/or (shudder) “problematic”, I would argue that complaint is a reflection of the four critiques noted above. Perhaps the style is a direct result of him trying to appeal to a “spirituality”, New Age audience. If instead he tried to explain tantric ideas as a profound intellectual attempt at understanding a million years of human evolution, and how humans can achieve their full potential within the limits of evolution’s biological and cultural expressions, the book would be more useful and uplifting.

I wish there were better books for both men and women that explain these ideas without the cheesy, New Age rhetoric.… (more)