Why Men Marry Bitches: A Woman's Guide to Winning Her Man's Heart (Paperback)

by Sherry Argov (Author) "Imagine a world in which roles were reversed and men cooked for women, picked up socks, and couldn't wait to get warried..." (more)
Key Phrases: beer nuts, Female Button, Marilyn Monroe

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
As in her previous book, Why Men Love Bitches, Argov does not use the word "bitch" in a pejorative way, but rather "to describe a strong woman who has her own identity and is secure with who she is." And while encouraging women to be strong, independent and inscrutable is sound advice, the motivation behind this advice-to keep his interest-makes for a headache-inspiring contradiction. Fortunately, Argov takes readers step-by-step through her process, including numerous "Relationship Principles" that keeps her concepts clear ("Relationship Principle 35: Men are intrigued by anything they do not completely control."). Though the generalizations Argov uses to describe her pre-bitch audience can at times be condescending, and her goals are more about acting-rather than believing-that you don't need a man to feel complete, the behavior she encourages is healthy and useful, even outside the realm of husband-hunting. Taken more as a Bitch's Guide to Life-the word "relationship," after all, doesn't necessarily imply romance-this is a solid self-help.
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Review
"We're talking about having so much self-respect Aretha Franklin would high-five you."

-- Los Angeles Times

"Sherry Argov encourages women who feel like doormats to develop a sense of independence."

-- Playboy

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (June 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 074327637X
• ISBN-13: 978-0743276375
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (126 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,819 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So that's why..., June 13, 2009

By	B. Parsons - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am so glad I got this book. It's about claiming your empowerment as a female and not backing down. It's not about being mean, as some might think, it's about using your brain and getting what you want. I appreciated the author's candor and insight and thought this was one of the better dating/relationship guides on the market today. Another good one---Lucky In Love, Lucky In Life: How To Be Wanted-Use the Law of Attraction to Date the Man You Most Desire and Live the Life You Deserve.

52 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to get married--read this book, June 1, 2006

By	Ex-Libris - See all my reviews

Why Men Marry Bitches is a funny, insightful, and practical guide. It dispels the self-defeating myths that women often live by, like "I have to cathc a husband to feel whole" which translates to men as a more desirable woman. It gives logical relationship principles, and gives hilarious, detailed scenarios on how to handle the beloved, (if sometimes trying), man in your life. Read and follow the advice in this book only if you are seriously interested in having a quality relationship.



Why Men Marry Bitches begins with the uproarious anecdote: "Imagine a world in which roles are reversed and men cooked for women, picked up socks and couldn't wait to get married. Pretend you had a boyfriend who owned a hope chest with six lavender bow ties inside that he wanted his groomsmen to wear at the wedding. Picture him getting choked up every time you strolled past a Baby Gap. And that he greeted you at the door wearing silk boxers and cowboy boots, so he could do a pole dance for you." Then imagine they ask needy questions like "Where's my ring?" and "Why won't you marry me?"

Why Men Marry Bitches makes it clear that women don't need to work harder to please their man. The book not only encourages women to let go of long-standing myths about being perfect, being his sex toy, or being whoever he tells you to be--it exposes these myths for the self-defeating behaviors that women have to act like servants, and explains why men are secretly attracted to a strong woman who has more to bring to the table. The main theme of the book is incredibly empowering--live your own life fully and the proposals will keep on coming.

Forget when the other books tell you and listen to the advice in Why Men Marry Bitches. The book gives clear guidance based on hundreds of interviews Argov conducted with men to find out what is really going on. Chapters such as "Female Button Pushing: A Time-Honored Male Tradition" and "Breaking into the Boy's Club: Stolen Secrets--All the Highly Classified Things Men Will Share Only in the Company of Other Men," expose the secret strategies, codes, and signs men use to test women, to cover their own vulnerabilities, and to be sure they are loved for themselves--not what they can provide a woman. Think of it like visiting a foreign country, you'll have a better time if you know the "language." Argov provides the kind of "male-language" tutorial only a friend who has your best interest at heart can give.

Perhaps the most useful sections of Why Men Marry Bitches are the practical situations that Argov tackles. We've all been there. There's the small stuff--the man we love, doesn't call, breaks plans, or comes home late. There's the bigger stuff--the man we love is hesitant to propose. Why Men Marry Bitches gives realistic, specific advice on how to handle these situations while maintaining your dignity, self-respect, and independence. And that's how you make him fall more in love with you. Because dignity is the biggest turn-on of all.

Why Men Marry Bitches shows us, with great insight and humor, that when you are a "bitch" the situation is win/win. You focus on yourself, making a full, interesting life and how the man in your life loves you more for it--and wants you for his wife.

I've read them all, and this is the best.

44 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AS HILARIOUS AS STAND UP COMEDY, AND AS SMART AS A WHIP, June 18, 2006

By	Sarah Ivask "Sarah Ivask" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

"Why Men Marry Bitches" is the best book on relationships. Whenever my male friends read through the book they say, "Wow. She is 100% right. How did she get this information?"

What I LOVE so much about this book is that it shows you HOW men view commitment, and the REAL reasons why men don't want to get involved. In the book, men reveal that they want an emotional connection as much as women do, but often feel they aren't "special" because most women seem like they want a commitment...with ANYBODY. Doesn't matter who the guy is, she wants a commitment before she knows his middle name. And Argov explains with crystal clarity exactly what turns men off, and how a few small modifications in a woman's words or actions makes all the difference in the world.

For example, the author explains that women sometimes ask questions or say things like "Where is this going?" or "What are your intentions?" before she even knows where the guy lives. When a guy gets those types of questions, he automatically assumes she is in love with "the idea" of a commitment, or that she's in love with "the wedding" or what a relationship represents. At that point he keeps her at arm's length, because (as men explain in their own words) what they dream of is a woman who is in love....WITH WHO HE IS! She won't just commit to anyone.

Argov has a rare ability to make you laugh and at the same time helps you realize how to do better. It's a feel good read that is entertaining and brilliant at the same time. You walk away feeling like you stand a little taller, and that men are likeable, sensitive and human. If you've ever wondered why most relationships stall after two or three months, after reading this book, YOU'LL GET IT.

What I love most is the fact that Argov doesn't tell you what you are doing wrong...she explains how you can do it right. She never talks down to the reader. She doesn't bash men. She even makes fun of herself. She gives you the feeling that she's down to earth and real, and that she's kicking back over a beer with you hanging out and cheering you up like a sister would. But at the same time, she gives the kind of seasoned advice that a relative or best friend would give about dignity and pride. And of course, she shows you how to turn the typical dating dynamic around so that he comes away feeling like COMMITMENT WAS HIS IDEA!

If you buy this book and get past the title--you will find it refreshing, hilariously funny, and extremely enlightening. I never give 5 stars for anything. But this one is 5 star worthy because of the information....as well as the entertainment comedy value. You'll laugh out loud reading it.