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Real Sex for Real Women
Covering new ground, bestselling author and expert Dr. Laura Berman shows how it is possible to combine the reality of everyday life with fantastic sex. Sex in real life is not the sex we see in the media, and this book's images and advice reflect life and sex naturally.
This book helps the reader to connect with her own sexuality, looking at physical and emotional health, and how she feelsabout herself and sex. Dr. Laura then provides information on techniques and tips on how to maximize your sex life, including how to express your needs and explore new positions.
Best-selling author and renowned sex therapist, Dr. Laura Berman is America's leading expert in female sexual health.
She is the founder and director of the Berman Center in Chicago, which specializes in sexual health and therapy, and she is assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and obstetrics/gynecology atthe Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.
This book helps the reader to connect with her own sexuality, looking at physical and emotional health, and how she feelsabout herself and sex. Dr. Laura then provides information on techniques and tips on how to maximize your sex life, including how to express your needs and explore new positions.
Best-selling author and renowned sex therapist, Dr. Laura Berman is America's leading expert in female sexual health.
She is the founder and director of the Berman Center in Chicago, which specializes in sexual health and therapy, and she is assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and obstetrics/gynecology atthe Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published November 3, 2008
36 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 30, 2008
This book is well thought out with lots of color photos of the postitions. The book covers everything from anatomy to health issues, including depression,menopause and the like. This is designed for the begginer to the experienced. All the positions are explained and seem doable,meaning you don;t need to be and accrobat/contortionist to achieve them.
March 18, 2009
Read it alone (like me), with a girlfriend (again like me), or lover (and once again like me) and you just might learn something fascinating to try out later on. I found this book to be an interesting read although I do have to admit that some things that were considered new and innovative weren't quite that out of the ordinaryy; or maybe it's just me ;-), so I was a little disappointed not to have many new things to try out when the time comes. Overall, I'd recommend this book to other women who are still trying to find their more sensual side or those that are looking for more excitement in the bedroom (or out...lol).
October 20, 2022
Laura Berman's books are one of our favorite books related to sex and intimacy. The quality of the book is amazing in terms of the varied topics and is very comprehensive. Our only discomfort is with too much emphasis on sexual positions and some other things that are out of alignment with our faith. That is why we wrote "The Perfumed Garden 2:: A Sensual Spiritual Sex Manual." But this review is not about our book. We want to say hats off to Dr. Berman for being one of our inspirations. There is so much more to sex that doesn't happen in the bedroom and books like this provide valuable insights. Check it out.
May 20, 2015
I really wanted to give this book a higher rating. It is full of fairly good information about virtually all aspects of sex, though I will note it does only seem to cover heterosexual sex (an important omission for many readers).
The book also seems to leave out sex after abuse; the book looks at 'accepting you past', which is essentially dealing with past messages (implied but not stated those around the slut/prude dichotomy) and thinking happy thoughts. There is also a section on emotional distress, which covers grief and anger, and a section on sex with depression. But, glaringly, no mention of sex after abuse, assault or trauma. Given the stats, this seems like a fairly important topic for many readers. However, this is not the main reason for my low rating; there are books out there that cover this topic.
No, the reason for my low rating is the way that the book begins. It lets us know early on that, apparently, women out in the working world, those who are empowered in their jobs, are suffering from "gender confusion". Of course, they cannot be genuinely empowered but must be just 'hiding their weaknesses and emotions' in order to take on this unnatural role. Why is this mentioned in a book about sex? Because, we are told, that women should be hesitant to be too empowered in the bedroom. This will take away power from the man and cause "backlash" in the bedroom.
Seriously? So, based on the title we now must assume that a "real woman" is a weak, weepy, emotional mess, who really ought to stay home where she belongs. Venturing out into the work world and feeling empowered means that she is confused about her gender and hiding her 'true self'. Additionally, she better get unconfused when she gets to the bedroom or she will hurt her man's feelings and end up having bad sex (though how this could happen when in this stereotype we are almost obligated to assume a man has no feelings, I do not know).
It is a shame that the book, pretty much starts out with, this message. So much of the rest of it encourages exploring, trying new things, building trust with one's partner to push one's comfort zone, etc. But, that, and a few other stereotypes about gender (perhaps also the reason that only heterosexual sex is covered), mean that I cannot give the book a higher rating. Very disappointing.
The book also seems to leave out sex after abuse; the book looks at 'accepting you past', which is essentially dealing with past messages (implied but not stated those around the slut/prude dichotomy) and thinking happy thoughts. There is also a section on emotional distress, which covers grief and anger, and a section on sex with depression. But, glaringly, no mention of sex after abuse, assault or trauma. Given the stats, this seems like a fairly important topic for many readers. However, this is not the main reason for my low rating; there are books out there that cover this topic.
No, the reason for my low rating is the way that the book begins. It lets us know early on that, apparently, women out in the working world, those who are empowered in their jobs, are suffering from "gender confusion". Of course, they cannot be genuinely empowered but must be just 'hiding their weaknesses and emotions' in order to take on this unnatural role. Why is this mentioned in a book about sex? Because, we are told, that women should be hesitant to be too empowered in the bedroom. This will take away power from the man and cause "backlash" in the bedroom.
Seriously? So, based on the title we now must assume that a "real woman" is a weak, weepy, emotional mess, who really ought to stay home where she belongs. Venturing out into the work world and feeling empowered means that she is confused about her gender and hiding her 'true self'. Additionally, she better get unconfused when she gets to the bedroom or she will hurt her man's feelings and end up having bad sex (though how this could happen when in this stereotype we are almost obligated to assume a man has no feelings, I do not know).
It is a shame that the book, pretty much starts out with, this message. So much of the rest of it encourages exploring, trying new things, building trust with one's partner to push one's comfort zone, etc. But, that, and a few other stereotypes about gender (perhaps also the reason that only heterosexual sex is covered), mean that I cannot give the book a higher rating. Very disappointing.
January 5, 2010
Got this book for a human sexuality class to build our library of resources. I found this book to be a great basic book with good information about psychological/emotional health. While the information is not earth shattering to me - it might be for someone who is more conservative, or who grew up in a very conservative environment where sexuality was not ever discussed. It is great for young women who are just discovering their sexuality and for couples who might be stuck in a rut.
There are really nice PHOTOS of couples (or people who look like real couples), and some demonstrative photos of different positions and techniques. The models/couples are normal looking people, so it doesn't make one feel less confident.
Highly recommend it, and have recommended it to friends.
There are really nice PHOTOS of couples (or people who look like real couples), and some demonstrative photos of different positions and techniques. The models/couples are normal looking people, so it doesn't make one feel less confident.
Highly recommend it, and have recommended it to friends.
March 14, 2015
a good book to start
I wish some one would inform women that men are clueless as to what they need sexually,as a 67 yr. old male .I Worked for a large co. And was doing work behind a wall on second shift when the women started talking about how clueless men are about how to satisfy them!!! After hearing them bash men for thirty min. And finishing my work asked out load,has any of you tried telling there men what they like in bed,as women don't come with instruction manuals as each lady is different and have different needs,so speak up lady's tell your men how to please you thanks for letting me rant.
I wish some one would inform women that men are clueless as to what they need sexually,as a 67 yr. old male .I Worked for a large co. And was doing work behind a wall on second shift when the women started talking about how clueless men are about how to satisfy them!!! After hearing them bash men for thirty min. And finishing my work asked out load,has any of you tried telling there men what they like in bed,as women don't come with instruction manuals as each lady is different and have different needs,so speak up lady's tell your men how to please you thanks for letting me rant.
March 12, 2020
My ratings of books on Goodreads are solely a crude ranking of their utility to me, and not an evaluation of literary merit, entertainment value, social importance, humor, insightfulness, scientific accuracy, creative vigor, suspensefulness of plot, depth of characters, vitality of theme, excitement of climax, satisfaction of ending, or any other combination of dimensions of value which we are expected to boil down through some fabulous alchemy into a single digit.
January 21, 2009
This is a decent review of how to increase your own pleasure without being degrading or explicit. Some images are very suggestive but tasteful. The text was simple and straight with organized columns and personal success stories.
October 4, 2012
I just love Dr. Laura Berman. I truly miss her radio show on Sirius XM, so I figure I could get a Dr. Laura Bermanfix by reading her book. Information was concise, the pictures were gorgeous, and overall it was an enjoyable read.
Want to read
January 9, 2009Read the reviews and heard about this book fr Oprah earlier today..
can't wait to read this one! Being informed about sexuality is a good thing!
can't wait to read this one! Being informed about sexuality is a good thing!
March 24, 2009
old dog, new tricks
April 15, 2009
Books for both women and men, single, married, old and the young. Amazing photos! very insightful and a must read for all who want a healthy, loving, honest, open and fulfilling relationship.
May 9, 2012
Revived my sex life after 15 years of marriage.
April 2, 2017
Great insights on the sexuality of women. Beneficial for both men and women to read.
July 9, 2012
Pretty basic stuff if you've ever taken sex Ed. You can skip this book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews