Men Are Like Waffles--Women Are Like Spaghetti [Paperback]

Bill Farrel (Author), Pam Farrel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2001

Bill and Pam Farrel explain why a man is like a waffle (each element of his life is in a separate box), why a woman is life spaghetti (everything in her life touches everything else), and what these differences mean. Then they show readers how to achieve more satisfying relationships.

Biblical insights, sound research, humorous anecdotes, and real–life stories make this guide entertaining and practical. Readers will feast on enticing insights that include:

• letting gender differences work for them
• achieving fulfillment in romantic relationships
• coordinating parenting so kids get good, consistent care

Much of the material in this rewarding book will also improve interactions with family, friends, and coworkers. Questions and exercises help readers apply the principles to their own lives.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bill Farrel: Bill and Pam Farrel are international speakers, authors of over 30 books, and relationship specialists who seek to help people become “Love-Wise” (www.Love-Wise.com). Their books include Men Are Like Waffles—Women Are Like Spaghetti (over 290,000 sold), Red-Hot Monogamy, Single Men Are Like Waffles—Single Women Are Like Spaghetti, and The 10 Best Decisions a Couple Can Make. They have been happily married for 32 years and are parents to three children, a daughter-in-law, and two small granddaughters. The Farrels live in San Diego, California.

Pam Farrel: Pam Farrel and her husband, Bill, are the authors of Men Are Like Waffles—Women Are Like Spaghetti (more than 290,000 copies sold) and Red-Hot Monogamy. In addition, Pam has written 52 Ways to Wow Your Husband and The 10 Best Decisions a Woman Can Make. They are cofounders and codirectors of Love-Wise, an organization to help people connect love and wisdom and bring practical insights to their personal relationships. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 253 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736904867
• ISBN-13: 978-0736904865
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (104 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth the time and money. November 17, 2001

By S. B. Heuiser

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Excellent book! I have read several relationship books and this is the FIRST one that I have totally agreed with. It's amazing. They've described the workings of my relationship with my girlfriend perfectly. (now she's my wife) It has done wonders. I know I will never totally understand her, but at least now I understand why she sees things the way she does. Also, it's almost worth buying just for the humorous sections. :o) Thanks Bill and Pam Farrel!

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars engaging reading March 31, 2001

By Linda Riley, author, The Call to Love

Format:Paperback

This is an engaging read that held not only my attention, but my husband's as well. The book provides even more insight than the well-known tour of the planets and is also much more humorous. We're in our third decade of marriage and still learned much from the creative ideas and colorful stories. A great find for couples' Bible studies and fellowship groups.

41 of 52 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, if frustrating at times December 28, 2007

By K. Erickson

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The premise of this book is that men are like waffles- they think in boxes, that is, they can only efficiently think about one subject or category at a time; and that women are like spaghetti- they think about everything in an interconnected manner.
Before I say anything else, reader be warned that this review is based on my own tastes and preferences, and is not necessarily unbiased.

I hate generalizations and this book is full of them, from the title to the marriage jokes. The extent of generalizations made me actually physically angry at several points.
However, I do like new ways of looking at problems and this book has that, if presented in a limited manner. If you can get beyond the assumption that all men are waffle-thinkers and all women spaghetti-thinkers, I believe this book can lead to a thought provoking discussion on how different styles of thinking can interrupt communication, especially between marriage partners.

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars EXTREMELY Simplistic April 25, 2008

By KatyM

Format:Paperback

I read "Red Hot Monogamy" by this couple, and I found some of the same things to be true in this book, but they took it to a whole new level of "cheesy" with this one. Unfortunately, they use more email forward stories (actual things I've received in email forwards) than original material. I was extremely disappointed to find that - especially after their glowing review by Dr. James Dobson. I actually think the concepts are valid, and even somewhat helpful in understanding relationships. However, all the "meat" of what they've written was clouded by the silly, stereotypical junk they pulled together to try and make it funny. I would like to see them focus on being more original and not try so hard to make everything sound like something I could get for free in an email forward.

The beginning of the book was one of the hardest parts to get through. Here is an actual question from a 27 question quiz given on page 25:

"To prove your love for your wife, you would gladly:
A. Climb the highest mountain.
B. Swim the deepest ocean.
C. Hold her purse while she tries things on at the mall and run the risk that, at any moment, one of the guys might walk by."

It's this kind of "filler" that the book could have done without. Unfortunately, I fear it would have been a very short book without it.

Honestly, I believe their hearts are in the right place, but now I believe they can use that enthusiasm, knowledge and God-given talent to put together something more intellectual and less excruciating to read.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Men are like Waffles - Women are Like Spaghetti May 3, 2001

By LButcher

Format:Paperback

This is a humorous book dealing with serious issues for newly married as well as others! The authors were married 15+ years when they wrote the book. I heard them on talk radio, bought and read the book; sent it to my about to be married sister; she and the groom to be were delighted; bought it for couple married 2 years; they are enjoying it; bought it for another bride & groom; they're finding it humorous and helpful. I am about to buy two more as gifts (I'm a widow, but it helped me understand my work environment better)An easy and enjoyable read; well worth the price!

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for couples to read together...single or married March 23, 2007

By A. Barnhart

Format:Paperback

My boyfriend and I went to the author's seminar at our church and this book has really helped us to understand (or at least attempt) to understand how each other thinks. It really does help build strong relationships if both partners are willing to read it.

26 of 34 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Original, but poorly written and very shallow. January 23, 2008

By D. Stapp

Format:Paperback

This book is definitely on my list of worst books I've read. The symbolism, waffles and spaghetti / men and women, is simply beaten to death. I had to put the book down for a while (I stopped on the line which read, "Anger is by far the most common emotion experienced by men") and just couldn't read anymore for several days. I had to force myself to choke the rest down.

It simplifies *both* sexes *far* too much, and sprinkles in some silly anecdotes, garnered from emails passed ad nauseam around the internet such as "15 Great Things about being a guy, #1 We Know Stuff About Tanks". It explains men as unable to grasp a multi-level conversation, unable to multi-task, and incapable of relating to a woman's thought process. Women it casts as unable to completely finish a task, incapable of discussing a simple subject, and also unable to understand the other sex.

Women are like spaghetti, because their thought process runs on and on in an interconnecting web, and men are like waffles because they compartmentalize and "sit" in "sometimes blank boxes, just to relax". There. You don't have to buy the book now, or even worse read it, because that's the only original information presented within it. The rest is just filler.