Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment (Hardcover)

~ Steve Harvey (Author)
Key Phrases: like your love, Strawberry Letter, Steve Harvey Morning Show, Ask Steve (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As a popular comedian, radio host and red-blooded male, Harvey doesn't have the bona fides typical to most women's relationship self-help, but he still manages a thorough, witty guide to the modern man. Harvey undertakes the tast because "Women are clueless about men," because "Men get away with a whole lot of stuff" and because he has "some valuable information to change all of that." Harvey makes a game effort, taking a bold but familiar men-are-dogs approach: if you're "cutting back" on sex, "he will have another woman lined up and waiting to give him what he needs and wants--the cookie." Several chapters later, however, he introduces the "ninety-day rule," asserting that, actually, he won't always have another woman lined up--and the only way to makes sure is a three-month vetting period. Harvey also tackles mama's boys, "independent--and lonely--women," and the matter of children in the dating world ("If he's meeting the kids after you decide he's the one, it's too late"). Feminists and the easily offended probably won't take to Harvey's blanket statements and blunt advice, but Harvey's fans and those in need of tough (but ticklish) love advice should check it out (especially the hysterical last-chapter Q&A).
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Review

“A thorough, witty guide to the modern man....those in need of tough (but ticklish) love advice should check it out (especially the hysterical last-chapter Q&A).” (Publishers Weekly )

“Filled with practical principles, rules and tips, and illustrated with humorous and warm-hearted anecdotes from Harvey’s life and friendships, ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A MAN gives readers the real deal about the differences between the sexes and how to bridge them for a mutually rewarding partnership.” (New York Beacon )

“Women should listen to Steve Harvey when it comes to what a good man is about. Steve Harvey dispenses a lot of fabulous information about men. It’s more than the average man will usually tell you. Steve Harvey will give it up.” (Aretha Franklin )

“[This] book offers surprising insights into the male mentality and gives woman a few a few strategies for taming that unruly beast.” (The Philadelphia Inquirer )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: Amistad (January 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061728977
• ISBN-13: 978-0061728976
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (811 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #314 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 92 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He knows his stuff. Don't overlook this one., June 6, 2009

By	Haley Johnson - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Seriously, I know he's a comic and everything, but he's got some good advice in this book. And it's not hard to read, either. He has a lot humor that makes this book so enjoyable to read. I liked it so much, I hope he has a followup. I'd recommend it, definetly, along with How To Be Wanted: Use the Law of Attraction to Date the Man You Most Desire and Live the Life You Deserve.

69 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Steve, what have you been smoking???!!!, April 27, 2009

By	M. J Soverall "ledare66" (Brooklyn, New York United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

So a man must be complimented for watching his OWN children, women must give up hobbie that they enjoy but their husbands are too cowardly to participate in, all men are spoiled ego centric babies who you have to treat like a spoiled child. I saw him on Oprah and thought that the book might be good until I saw the 1950's nonsense he was spewing. It is not MY job to make our home a welcoming place, it's not MY job to take care of the kids and home so you don't have to be bothered and it most certainly NOT my job to make you feel like a man. If a man doesn't know how to act like a man when you meet him, you most certainly don't want him. Steve, you made me throw up in my mouth a lot.

288 of 373 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent, Common Sense Advice, but let's be logical people....., March 4, 2009

By	Logical Kay "Let's think things through..." (Anywhere and Everywhere) - See all my reviews

Most of the advice in Steve's book has been already posted, in fact you can glean the major points just from reading the flap copy, so I won't go into that. And be aware the advice appears to be written geared toward women searching for a long term, serious relationship.

But I wonder why so many people are jumping up and down for joy as if things such as don't sleep with a man immediately, have standards and keep up your appearance are revolutionary ideas. Most of the things in this book, women should be aware of by their late 20s. The advice isn't something you couldn't get from a pastor or a well-meaning male friend, the difference is Steve is a celebrity and a one man promotion machine with his radio show.

It's true that some women never had good male role models, and I didn't have the best parental example, but as I've gotten older, as I think happens with most people, you mature and are able to find what you are looking for in a relationship. As for the sex thing, I don't think having sex early will automatically make a man lose interest in you. The main reason to wait for women, is that women are not guaranteed to get pleasure out of every sexual act, and disease, so it's better to at least have an emotional connection and know who you're sleeping with.

And on to Steve Harvey. Of course, I don't know him personally but he has been married three times, and has reportedly not always been a "gentleman" to the women he's dated. So why doesn't he explain his past behavior in the book? Clearly, the emphasis is on how women should behave because a) women are the majority of his fan base b) they are the majority of book buyers. Plus it seems the majority of these Strawberry Letters read on his show are also written by women who seem to have problems so over the top, that I wonder if they aren't made up by someone on Harvey's staff.

And of course he wrote the book for some profit. There is nothing wrong with that, but let's not act like he's Mother Theresa, and not an entertainer.

I don't post reviews on amazon but I felt compelled to weigh in on this debate for some reason. All in all, this book contains advice most mature individuals should know. But if you enjoy Harvey's comedy and like to debate and overthink relationships, I think it would be a worthwhile read.