Mars and Venus in the Bedroom: A Guide to Lasting Romance and Passion [Hardcover]

John Gray (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Gray follows up his bestseller Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus with this sex manual for the 1990s. Using the same "advanced" techniques presented in his earlier book, now transferred to the bedroom, he advises partners how to achieve sexual satisfaction without frustrating each other, how to rekindle and maintain sexual passion without resorting to affairs, how to talk about sexual needs without turning each other off and much more. For those in a rush to the bedroom, virtually every paragraph is recapitulated in boldface one-liners. Although some of the material is old news (women require more foreplay and affection than men), much is cutting-edge. For example, women don't always desire orgasm, and therefore "quickies" can be enjoyable for both parties. But sorely lacking here is a discussion of safe sex in the age of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. And despite the title, Gray here compares men to the sun and women to the moon rather than to Earth's planetary neighbors. $250,000 ad/promo; 500,000 first printing.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The author of the blockbuster Men Are From Mars, Women Are from Venus, Gray here attempts to explain how couples can have great sex and keep romance alive in a long-term, monogamous relationship. There is not much left to the imagination as Gray explains exactly what men and women should say and not say, what they should do, touch, lick, and more. As in his earlier books, Gray's metaphors lack grace, and his writing is far from polished. If you can see past his silly language, however, much of his advice is quite good. Although the explicitness of his sexual descriptions may bother some, and his poor writing skills may bother others, Gray's book is a reasonable and useful title. And given his huge popularity, public libraries should have this on their shelves when he starts appearing on the talk shows. [With 2.6 million hardcovers of Gray's Men Are from Mars... in print, HarperCollins will release a Spanish-language edition of that book under their HarperLibros line this month.-Ed.]-Elizabeth Caulfield Felt, Washington State Univ., Pullma.
--Elizabeth Caulfield Felt, Washington State Univ., Pullman
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1 edition (March 2, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060172126
• ISBN-13: 978-0060172121
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #488,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

62 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Sex Is Just A Book Away..., January 21, 2004

By	Janet Boyer "JanetBoyer.com" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mars and Venus in the Bedroom: A Guide to Lasting Romance and Passion (Paperback)

Sex is a subject that is not often talked about among couples. Unfortunately, it is also an area that accounts for a large chunk of divorces. Women expect men to be mind-readers, intuitively knowing just what to do to bring them pleasure. Men assume that they should know what to do already, as if males are born as sex experts. (Not!) What often results is great expectations met with disppointment, and thwarted, hit-and-miss attempts at intimacy and sexual fulfillment.

With this book by Dr. John Gray, sex doesn't have to be a frustrating and hurtful guessing game. Gray explores areas such as sexual versus emotional fulfillment, taking responsibility for your own pleasure, how to increase desire and rekindle passion, a women's need to relax, the joy of quickies, passionate monogamy, and home-cooked sex versus gourmet sex. Both men and women are given maps into the murky terrain of the other's attitudes and expectations about sex, which will no doubt result in a sigh of relief by many. At last, someone understands! While providing accurate maps, though, Gray acknowledges that every person (especially women!) are unique, and as such, have unique desires, likes, and dislikes.

When discussing giving a man positive direction, Gray points out that some women do not realize a man's sensivitity in this area. Men want to please their women, so certain comments can feel like rejection to a man, which will bring an instant chill to intimacy. Here are 10 sexual turnoffs outlined by Gray:

1. "You're not doing it right."
2. "I don't like that."
3. "Ouch! That hurts!"
4. "Don't touch me like that."
5. "That tickles."
6. "Not like that."
7. "Not yet."
8. "Not there."
9. "I'm not ready."
10. "What are you doing?"

Gray then goes on to explain why a man shuts down, how to give positive feedback and re-direction, and 20 sexual turn on phrases.

The Chapter titled How To Drive a Women Wild With Pleasure provides men with some excellent practical advice on how a woman ticks, and how to rev up her engine. Gray advises:

"A man needs to remember that to increase a woman's pleasure, he needs to delay direct stimulation. Certain ancient temples are dedicated to the female aspect of God. According to one ritual associated with these temples, you have to circumambulate the temple three times before entering it. This same principle to loving and adoring a woman during sex."

One of the most practical parts of this book is that it contains drawings. Yes, drawings. How do you expect to know where to put what? Seriously, though, it's important to know about anatomy to understand what may bring a man or woman pleasure.

Gray understands the pressures that many couples face, and explains why many are having less sex. He also explains why men are like the sun, and women are like the moon. (A very helpful analogy!)

The "voice" of this book is very understanding and encouraging, coaxing men and women to re-discover the joy and pleasure of intimacy and sex. Rather than going without, or relegating yourself to frustration and disappointment with regards to sex, why not pick up this book (or something like it) and make the decision to enjoy your sexuality? It is my belief that we are given these bodies to enjoy, and the delight of sexual intimacy with our mate is a part of that. (I mean, if God didn't intend women to enjoy sex, then why give her a clitoris!)

Ignorance is *not* bliss when it comes to mutual sexual fulfillment. If you're frustrated or have given up on a satisfying sex life, take heart: this book gives great information, encouragement, and hope.

54 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars John Gray understands women too well sometimes, April 13, 2000

By	Ruth Sprague (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Mars and Venus in the Bedroom: A Guide to Lasting Romance and Passion (Paperback)

This book was extremely helpful, I believe more so for men than from women. Men are often confused as to what a woman wants in a relationship, especially when it comes to sex, and as a result, the majority of men turn out be very poor lovers. This book is a godsend - it tells men exactly some of the things theyre doing wrong, what a woman really means when she says something, and says things that women have tried to say to men but are unable to articulate it well or are too embarrassed to express it. I dont necessarily agree with it 100 percent, nobody should, and it wont help heal every sexual dysfunction a person may have, but, for the average person, this book is great.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mars and Venus in the Bedroom: You Have to Have This Book!, December 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Mars and Venus in the Bedroom: A Guide to Lasting Romance and Passion (Paperback)

I've been married to the same person for 28 years and always thought our sex life was great, but when we read this book (yes, we both read it) we realised how much we still didn't know, hadn't tried, and hadn't communicated about. This book has enhanced an already great relationship - just think what it could do for one in trouble! This is written plainly, interestingly, and is very accurate - from both the woman's and the man's point of view. There were a couple of things that seemed corny to me, but may not seem that way to someone who is 20 years younger than me (I'm 48). Buy this book! I guarantee you will get at least one insight into sex that will help your love life, no matter how wise you think you already are!