Just Between Us Girls: Secrets about Men from the Mayflower Madam

by Sydney Biddle Barrows, Judith Newman

Once the classiest, most successful madam in New York, Sydney Biddle Barrows has the inside information on what men really want--their favorite fantasies, emotional needs, and specific desires in and out of the bedroom. But she has also discovered what they don't get at home--and what makes them stray.

With candor, a little naughtiness, and an insider's eye-opening perspective, the Mayflower Madam teaches you how to keep passion in your relationship, have better sex than you ever thought possible, and make sure the man you love stays committed to you, and you alone.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sexuality

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have any feminist proclivities, please close your eyes: I would recommend this book to any of my girlfriends having man trouble. The book IS written by a brothel madam so I'm not going to reference anything specifically, but I bet she hits on your particular issue. It's part how-to, part psychological analysis of male/female roles and interactions (this was written in 1996 but a bulk of her theories still hold up), and part FAQ. She writes what she knows and she can be pretty funny. The part I found most interesting was the section on "why men go to see call girls." The reasons are not what you might think.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Barrows got into the industry because 1) her father refused to pay for her education and believe that she should just marry rich, 2) she got fired from a job she loved because she refused a kick back scheme and 3) while collecting unemployment, she got a job at a call girl call center, she found herself much more qualified to run a call girl operation

- Barrows' client, contrary to what many would think, often have no trouble getting ladies' attention. Yet, due to their busy schedule they're deeply lonely and long to pay someone for company and pay someone not to see them again

- How long does sex last? Not long (there's novelty factor in it), in addition, Barrows also insist on usage of lingerie which was a novelty at the time, triggers males' innate desire even more. What do they do afterwards? Mostly talking and male boasting about their accomplishments and the ability to have fine things in life

- The bulk of the book centers around why Barrows' girls could demend hefty amount from her clients: and the root of the reason is Barrows' insistence for a classic look for the girls

- Another bulk of the book centers around why infedelity occurs among married couples. Barrows points out that often during long marriage the wife would simply give up taking care of herself (also vice versa for husband)

- The longer marriage occur, the harder for novelty factor to last. Thus it's very important for both parties to have room to grow independently and not feel like roommates

- (Also lots of sexual tips and fantasies that I don't want to write here, but as a guy I assure those works)

[Elizabeth Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I love reading books like these because they remind me of reading Cosmo in high school-- and I usually walk away with one or two interesting ideas about how to be loving to my man. My favorite thing about this book was its emphasis on making your partner feel appreciated-- something that I think is truly at the heart of the situations Sydney Biddle Barrows probably saw in her career as the Mayflower Madam.

That said, this is kind of a horrible book that sometimes made my jaw drop with its sexism and gender stereotypes. ("Men are like dogs.") It was an entertaining read, and I'm glad I read it. A few pages are dog-eared, and many are completely discarded. I skipped the chapters on "how to tell if he's cheating," for example. Enjoyable, and recommended only if you're willing to take it as what it is-- a trashy trashy book with some nonetheless accurate wisdom.

[StrangeBedfellows · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won't be so dramatic as to say that this book changed my life, but it certainly changed my lifestyle. I read it as a teenage girl and promptly passed it around to my friends. Consider it the bible to femininity, if you will... the secrets of high-priced call girls contained in one volume. That doesn't mean it teaches women how to be prostitutes, so don't even go down that road. Instead, this book talks about beauty tips, how to make the most of your natural appeal, and how to interact with a lover in and outside of the bedroom in ways that keep his interest solely on you. I would recommend this book to every woman out there.

[Therese · Rating 2 out of 5]

Starts out a fascinating window into a curious exciting world...quickly degenerates into something sordid, gross, and cheap, that still masquerades as a prim and gossipy girl-chat. Ew.

[Kaylyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was decent. I learned a few things but it was just like reading something out of a Cosmo magazine

[Carol]

great book. has some good ideas n for women.

[Carol & Russell]

got some ideas. could not put it down. funny in places.