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The Male Brain: A Breakthrough Understanding of How Men and Boys Think Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,313 listener ratings
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From the author of the groundbreaking New York Times bestseller The Female Brain, here is the eagerly awaited follow-up book that demystifies the puzzling male brain.
Dr. Louann Brizendine, the founder of the first clinic in the country to study gender differences in brain, behavior, and hormones, turns her attention to the male brain, showing how, through every phase of life, the "male reality" is fundamentally different from the female one. Exploring the latest breakthroughs in male psychology and neurology with her trademark accessibility and candor, she reveals that the male brain:
-is a lean, mean, problem-solving machine. Faced with a personal problem, a man will use his analytical brain structures, not his emotional ones, to find a solution.-thrives under competition, instinctively plays rough and is obsessed with rank and hierarchy.
-has an area for sexual pursuit that is 2.5 times larger than the female brain, consuming him with sexual fantasies about female body parts.
-experiences such a massive increase in testosterone at puberty that he perceive others' faces to be more aggressive.
The Male Brain finally overturns the stereotypes. Impeccably researched and at the cutting edge of scientific knowledge, this is a book that every man, and especially every woman bedeviled by a man, will need to own.
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"This relatively short book by a clinical psychiatrist aims to shed light on the how the chemistry and functioning of the human male brain changes throughout a man's life. It's easy to read and not too technical. There is some mention of various parts of the brain, but you don't have to remember them to get the gist of what she's saying. The book is divided into chapters that discuss various stages of a man's life, from childhood through adolescence to young adulthood, middle age, and the "mature" years. She also personalizes the stages by using patient anecdotes (with the names changed) to illustrate the principles of each life stage. The main point of the book is that male brains are physically different from female brains and are better at some things and worse at others than female brains. Not surprisingly, the male brain has evolved to make its owner want a lot of sex! :-) The book is much shorter than it appears -- nearly half its length consists of end notes, references, and an index."
— Mike (4 out of 5 stars)
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In this utterly fascinating follow-up to her bestselling The Female Brain, Harvard neuropsychiatrist Brizendine leads readers through the lifespan of a man's brain, using lively prose and personable anecdotes to turn complex scientific research into a highly accessible romp. Among other salient info, readers will learn why it is what young boys seem unable to stay still (they are learning through "embodied cognition"); why behaviors may change so suddenly during puberty (among other changes, testosterone increases 20-fold); the nature of irritability in teens ("boys' hormones prime them for aggressive and territorial behaviors"); and the ways in which chemicals, physical touch, and play bond fathers with their children. With clearly detailed scientific explanations for how characteristics like anger expression, analysis of facial expression, and spatial manipulation differ between the sexes, Brizendine's review of brain and behavioral research should net a broad audience, from parents of boys to psychology students to fans of her first volume. Brizendine also includes an appendix regarding the brain and sexual orientation, as well as lengthy endnotes and an exhaustive reference list.
— Publishers Weekly, Starred Review -
As a woman who has known complicated men her whole life, I can't help but wish The Male Brain had been around when I was a girl. Dr. Louann Brizendine's lucid, lively, and always fascinating discussion of how the male brain works (and why) has enlightened me in more ways than I can count. Now I can't wait to give the book to all my women friends.
— Jane Fonda, actress and author of My Life So Far -
Dr. Brizendine has marshaled a host of impressive data and insights and presented them in an elegant and entertaining way to clearly illustrate men's reality--as infants, boys, teens, lovers, husbands, fathers and workers. It's a deep dive into the worlds of men, as well as a fascinating read. And along the way, you will pick up some valuable tips to help you understand, appreciate and connect with the men in your life.
— Helen Fisher, Ph.D., author of Why Him? Why Her? -
"It takes an extraordinary woman like Dr. Louann Brizendine to understand the male brain. She brings the latest in state-of-the-art science in helping us to understand the most ancient and primal of male passions and desires--and viva le difference! Highly recommended.
— Dean Ornish, author of The Spectrum -
"The remarkable brain science behind Mars and Venus in a really enjoyable read! I think that this book, along with The Female Brain should be read by every parent, child, husband, wife, employer, employee, and dating age adult – they bring love and understanding into our most important, and sometimes most frustrating relationships.
— Martin L. Rossman, M.D., Clinical Faculty, UCSF; Founder, TheHealingMind.org, Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco -
Louann Brizendine has done a great favor for every man who wants to understand the puzzling women in his life. A breezy and enlightening guide to women and a must-read for men.
— Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence
The Male Brain Listener Reviews
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" All jokes, aside, it was an enlightening book. many of the male/female differences we joke about are truly "hard-wired" and have reasons behind them which, if understood, allow us as wives, mothers daughters, sisters, girlfriends, etc. to better understand men. She wrote The Female Brain first, but I have not read it yet. "
— Paula, 2/6/2014 -
" Dr Brizendine did an excellent job showing the vast difference between the way boys/men think as opposed to a girl/woman. As a Psychophysiological researcher in the very most amateur way, I can recommend this book. Most boys grow up and think of themselves as odd because they think of sexual images for much of the day, yet if they admit their thoughts to a "normal" girl/woman they are rebuffed by most. Research of the last 35 years shows that men and women are vastly different, not only in appearance, but by the way they process their thoughts and the thoughts themselves. "
— Frederick, 2/1/2014 -
" I liked this book for what it was - a pop-sort of psychology explanation of hormonal changes and brain development over the course of the lifetime for men and how those changes can effect their behavior. The book includes some information about differences from women, and differences for gay men. She does take her conclusions a little farther than I think is entirely appropriate a few times (based on the research she is citing), but it was more generally helpful than not. It certainly has interesting implications for the fields of education and psychological evaluation, as well as family relationships. "
— Jill, 2/1/2014 -
" Her previous book is much more polished. This is just as bad as The Female Brain. At least in that book you could respect it because at least she was writing from a female perspective about females. this is just more pop science.It's obvious she doesn't like men by writing. She has a reverence for females in the preceding book and a condescension for males in this one. Skip it and skip The Female Brain as well, much better alternatives are out there, don't waste time on this drivel. "
— Prometheus, 1/31/2014 -
" This was a very interesting book that I recommend for both males and females to read. It talks about the different phases of a males life and is a good companion novel to The Female Brain written by the same author. It is very enlightening about how male's think and behave, and why they think and behave that way. "
— Julia, 1/29/2014 -
" I had very high hopes for this book because I loved Louann Brizedine's first book, The Female Brain. Unfortunately this book can't quite stand up to the first. It does a fairly good job covering basic behavioral tendencies over the course of a man's life and the author occasionally throws in interesting studies a few times in the main text, but overall I was slightly disappointed with the amount of explanation about the science behind why males have those tendencies when compared with the depth of her explanations in her first book, and felt like she spent a lot of time focusing on the setup of her patients' stories more than she focused on interesting research studies. It's a quick read and I don't regret having read it, but I would recommend The Female Brain instead. "
— Jianna, 1/26/2014 -
" Some insights are extraordinary, others obvious. Even so, written in an understandable way. "
— Richard, 1/18/2014 -
" I didn't think this was as good as The Female Brain, but it is worth reading. "
— Gail, 1/10/2014 -
" Read this first but then decided to read the female one since we are 3 to 1 , it's always good to add more knowledge to the common knowledge. I find it always interesting and makes me think "
— Marinela, 1/3/2014 -
" Shorter, less interesting, and less fun than the same author's The Female Brain. In that book, she said she'd never write a book on the male brain because it would be short and not very interesting -- man, was she right! Should have trusted her instincts and not her publisher.... "
— Stephen, 12/29/2013 -
" A really amazing book concerning male psychology. I would also get the book "The Female Brain" by the same author. "
— Katherine, 12/21/2013 -
" No where near as interesting as her companion book, The Female Brain. It lacked the heart she had writing the first book. "
— Tiffany, 12/21/2013 -
" i thought it gave great insight into the different developmental stages of the growing male brain and was a really good read "
— Annie, 12/1/2013 -
" gave me insight into every man and boy in my life "
— Samantha, 7/10/2013 -
" I think every parent should read this book. It gave me great insight into those people who act in a stereotypical manner. I would recommend you also read The Female Brain for more perspective. "
— Pepper, 1/28/2013 -
" First of all, I was happy to note that the last 130 pages are Notes, so this book isn't as long as it appears. I have read Louann's book "The Female Brain" and found both books interesting but not too profound. "
— Cami, 12/22/2012 -
" a great companion to The Female Brain. These two books are really a must read for everyone and especially couples. Wished I had read them years ago. Would have saved me a lot of wasted mental energy and focus... "
— Pponzini, 9/16/2012 -
" Gaya bahasanya sederhana, begitupun informasi (baru)nya. Seperti membaca versi kebalikan dari "The Female Brain" tanpa proses penyuntingan. "
— Reza, 9/4/2012 -
" Super interesting... and sometimes completely comical. Even though the topic is a bit heavy it's a quick, easy read. "
— Raquel, 2/19/2012 -
" the female brain gets the more thorough treatment. too many stereotypes in this one for my taste. "
— Kelley, 10/14/2011 -
" Much of what is said in this book was already stated in her previous book the Female Brain. There were some insightful moments followed by moments of duh, everyone knows that. "
— Lisa, 6/9/2011 -
" I can't say that there were any real insights or surprises here. It was still an interesting read, but not earth shattering. "
— Annie, 5/9/2011 -
" Didn't read the whole thing. Seems to me she is too quick to take what she KNOWS about the brain and make statements about the implications that are not as well founded. "
— Julie, 5/3/2011 -
" Seriously?! THIS is the best louann could do. I was so bored and annoyed! Basically you will learn nothing new, and on top of that, this book can be read in a day. Even if you're a slow reader. Don't expect much from this book about how men's brains are wired. "
— Jeanette, 4/21/2011 -
" I really thought this was interesting. It totally goes deep into the minds of men. I can't wait to read The Female Brain! "
— Alex, 4/5/2011 -
" I loved the book,<br/>When I told my husband I was reading the book, he told me, you don't need a book to understand me :)<br/>The book will help females to give reasons to why their beloved ones act the way they do.. "
— Solady, 4/1/2011 -
" Great Book! Perfect compliment to "The Female Brain" written by the same author! A very enjoyable and insightful read that has helped me better understand my brother, father, grandfathers, male friends and boyfriends (past and present). "
— Carey, 3/27/2011 -
" I liked this very much - just like The Female Brain. I think it would be valuable for anyone who is or cares about a male... which is basically everyone. :) "
— Krista, 3/20/2011 -
" Much of what is said in this book was already stated in her previous book the Female Brain. There were some insightful moments followed by moments of duh, everyone knows that. "
— Lisa, 3/8/2011 -
" Good for anyone that has to deal with guys in their life, ever <br/>Haha "
— Ninja, 3/3/2011 -
" A fun book about the biology of being male. "
— Michelle, 2/27/2011 -
" Super interesting... and sometimes completely comical. Even though the topic is a bit heavy it's a quick, easy read. "
— Raquel, 2/22/2011 -
" Not a ton of content, but what was there was interesting. "
— Christinepeterson, 2/4/2011
About Louann Brizendine
Louann Brizendine, MD is a practicing clinician, bestselling author, public speaker, and media commentator who specializes in the relationship dynamics that result from the neurobiology of male and female brains. She completed her degree in Neurobiology at UC Berkeley, graduated from Yale School of Medicine and did her internship and residency at Harvard Medical School. She has also served on both the faculties of Harvard University and University of California at San Francisco. Now at UCSF, she pursues active clinical, teaching, writing and research activities, where she founded the Women’s Mood and Hormone Clinic in 1994 and continues to serve as the clinic’s director.
About Kimberly Farr
Kimberly Farr is an actress and winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration. She has appeared on Broadway and at the New York Shakespeare Festival, the Roundabout Theatre, Playwright’s Horizons, and the American Place. She created the role of “Eve” in Arthur Miller’s first and only musical, Up from Paradise, which was directed by the author. She appeared with Vanessa Redgrave in the Broadway production of The Lady from the Sea and has acted in regional theaters across the country, including a performance in the original production of The 1940’s Radio Hour at Washington, DC’s Arena Stage.