Sex on the Brain: The Biological Differences Between Men and Women (Paperback)

by Deborah Blum (Author) "There comes a moment in everyone's life when the opposite sex suddenly appears to be an alien species..." (more)
Key Phrases: titi monkeys, gender biology, woman the gatherer, University of California, United States, Carrie Buck (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
For centuries, links between biology and behavior have been mined for ammunition in the gender wars. Western science has often tainted the discussion by skewing the norm toward men so that the biological underpinnings of their weaknesses and strengths are applauded while those of women are denigrated. Sex on the Brain is a chatty, fairly evenhanded report on a broad range of animal and human studies intended to provide insight into hot-button issues such as aggression, nurturing behavior, infidelity, homosexuality, hormonal drives, and sexual signals. According to one researcher, "We inherit the behavior essentially of our past." Morning sickness, for example, which steers some women away from strong tastes and smells, may once have protected babes in utero from toxic items. Infidelity is a way for men to ensure genetic immortality. Interestingly, when we deliberately change sex-role behavior--say men become more nurturing or women more aggressive--our hormones and even our brains respond by changing, too. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist Blum (The Monkey Wars, LJ 10/1/94) covers a lot of ground here: the origins of sex, differences in male and female brains, hormones and emotions, monogamy, sexual orientation, love, rape, and power. Her understanding of the scientific literature relating to gender biology appears to be thorough, but her pattern of citing information is uneven. Often, she merely refers to newspaper articles she has written and not to the primary literature, although she quotes liberally from conversations with many scientists. In addition, Blum's writing style is too cozy and loose for this reviewer's taste; distracting parenthetical thoughts?e.g., "variation in these estimates of the relationship between nature and nurture (as if that weren't nature, too)"?combine with a lack of focus to divert attention from the subject matter and make reading slow-going. Still, science collecions that have her other books may want to consider.?Constance A. Rinaldo, Dartmouth Coll. Lib., Hanover, N.H.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140263489
• ISBN-13: 978-0140263480
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #475,582 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating guide to difference between sexes, June 30, 2000

By	"alexslewis" (AUSTIN, TX United States) - See all my reviews

At last! A book which evaluates some of the bases for the pronounced differences in behavioral physiology, and biochemistry of females and males. Blum touches on a minefield of emotional subjects and what emerges is a sensitive treatment of the sexes in terms of the underlying biochemical forces that ultimately shape men and women as the human beings that we recognize.

Males are targeted by the hormone testosterone which, from early uterine development, drives them relentlessly towards a variety of behaviors some of which are categorized "as boys will be boys".

As Blum emphasizes, testosterone levels (of testicular origin) fluctuate daily, and generalizations about its role vs concentration are difficult to support. Furthermore, females also make testosterone (adrenals and ovaries) and of great significance, the female brain converts testosterone to estradiol, the female hormone. Thus, the author reminds us that sex hormones, which we casually identify with one sex or another, are capable of rapid transformations with considerable implications.

The book is a remarkable journey along a road that has a plethora of gender intersects. As human beings, curious about who we are and what forces put us there, this book is a fascinating guide.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars science, with humanity, July 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Sex on the Brain: The Biological Differences Between Men and Women (Hardcover)

How refreshing to read a thoughtful, well-researched and documented book on gender differences -- and not fall asleep in the process!Deborah Blum's many gifts include her ability to report on complex and controversial subjects and make them understandable to the rest of us. This book explores many fascinating theories with a rare perspective. It is intelligently written with an added dose of humor and humanity. This is a sensible book on behavior and biology that forces the reader to think. I recommend it highly.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read to understand better gender differences, June 7, 2000

By	Dana L. Kuehn (Jacksonville, Florida) - See all my reviews

I found this book both easily readable and filled with valuable information. Ms. Blum's ability to weave stories into the scientific data allows the reader to relate the information presented to real life. I have found I remember parts of this book very clearly and have enjoyed sharing with others what is a very universal topic- male and female gender differences with a bite of science. The studies she references are fascinating...I appreciate the backbone of science as opposed to speculation or opinion, which describes much of the literature on this topic. A book well worth seeking out and reading.