Review by Bruce Holt

As a counselor and teacher at a small Appalachian college, I am always searching for material that challenges and inspires my students. Last year in class, we used an earlier version of Opposites has Equals, by Driscoll and Davis. While the book provides complex observations and careful research, students consider it remarkably easy to read and to understand.

Last fall I read a rave review of "Guyland," by Michael Kimmel, in the New York Times, so I adopted it for our class this last semester. While some of it was interesting, by the end of the semester students felt it was too full of complaints and had a man-bashing tone to it.

In retrospect, I now see real advantages in the Driscoll and Davis work over other materials.  I have taught courses in sexuality, relationships, and gender for ten years now and keep returning to the Driscoll and Davis offering.  I get more "Aha's!" and more "That explains so much!" reactions from my students than from any other material I have assigned.  I will be using this  book again this year.

Opposites as Equals explores not just one or two but perhaps twenty or so substantial differences between men and women.  It begins with an easy introduction to evolutionary psychology which provides an excellent foundation for the observations that follow.

The authors show how we exaggerate some qualities, conceal others, and insist on seeing what we want to see.  We seem to be born to misunderstand each other.

The book is clearly written and often funny, but highly innovative and willing to surprise you.  Is it too far ahead of its time? You be the judge.  I am back on the bandwagon, and give it a well-earned "5."

Customer review by Bruce Holt, Director of Counseling, Maryville College.  Posted on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Borders websites. 

Return to Reviews Menu