What Really Works with Men: Solve 95% of Your Relationship Problems and Cope with the Rest

Early on the author, founder of the Sterling Institute, which conducts self-help weekends for women, warns readers that ``You are going to hate my advice.'' He has a point. This guide, which promises women that they can ``solve 95% of their relationship problems (and cope with the rest)'' is preachy, nagging and often exasperating. Sterling's premise seems to be that all males are jerks, so women should stop whining and accept the situation if they want to be close to a man. Although he doesn't actually blame women for relationship problems, Sterling asserts that intimacy does not come naturally to men (``Men managing relationships are like gorillas doing brain surgery''), so women must take primary responsibility for managing the partnership. Particularly disturbing is Sterling's assertion that ``Men have `killer' instincts'' and will do anything to get what they want. Hence, women must ``stroke his ego''--and ``treat him like a hero.'' (May)