Most helpful customer reviews
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1.0 out of 5 stars
Bigotry in Action, Jun 9 2000
If the book were entitled "The Natural Superiority of Men" or "The Natural Superiority of Whites" or virtually any other group of people, the book would be called bigoted. No amount of research presented in the book would hold back the negative comments and criticisms. It that regard, it's unfortunate that people praise this book. It shows that bigotry is still alive and well in the world, if you target the right group: men. Mr. Montagu's book is a case of supporting a preconceived idea (the superiority of women) with selected research and biased interpretations. I know a great deal of people. I find that women are not any more or any less compassionate, loving, intelligent, unselfish or anything else, then men. It's unfortunate that a distinguished researcher like Dr. Montagu published such an unscientific book. It's even more unfortunate that people will use this book, even subtly, to drive a wedge between male and female relations. After all, people are individuals and must be treated as individuals on a daily basis. For antidote to "The Natural Superiority of Women" and how to build trust in male/female relations read Warren Farrell's "Women Can't Hear What Men Don't Say".
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential reading for men and women today., Mar 5 2000
Modern civilization has traveled far in knowledge and advanced technologies, yet from other perspectives -- in morals, in education, in equality, in peace -- we have a long long way to go. Last year in Kosovo the world saw how false ideas can generate destructive actions, how an ideology of hatred leads to genocide. More recently we have been shocked to hear that a pro-Nazi sympathizer has secured a foothold in the government of Austria; and a professional baseball player in Atlanta has unashamedly announced, in effect, that minorities are an inferior species. Always, after news like this, the commentators pop out of their holes like groundhogs, glare at the shadows, then tell us what we already know. Bigotry, intolerance, and racism are evil and horrible and base. Much rarer are the thinkers who write about the root of these events, and explain what we must do to understand the causes and conditions which poison our culture with prejudice and hate. The most influential of these foresighted thinkers was Ashley Montagu, who died on November 26, 1999 at the age of 94. One of the key forces behind the United Nations UNESCO statement on race, Montagu was the author of more than sixty books. His works and lectures, which explore a wide variety of subjects, focus primarily on these four topics: anthropology; the fallacies of racism and sexism; the nature of human nature as loving and cooperative instead of selfish and aggressive; and the renewal of culture through education. Montaugu's last book, The Natural Superiority Of Women (originally published in 1952) has been expanded and updated to fortify his highly-controversial theme: women are superior to men. The book argues that the female of the species is biologically, sexually, emotionally, and even intellectually superior to the male. Montagu explains that this thesis is supported by scientific evidence. Like Socrates, he challenges his readers to distinguish between facts and opinions. He reminds us that facts are either true of false, and he welcomes all evidence that questions any of his facts and the conclusions deduced from these. Since 1952 when Montagu first made his claims in an article for the "Saturday Review", the book has angered many feminists and been applauded by many others. A woman, Montagu claims, should not attempt to blindly imitate the type-A, money-crazed, commercial-driven lifestyle of the typical executive male. The most fulfilling life for the mother can be realized only if she spends the first years caring for the new baby, and only later joins (or rejoins) the workforce. Montagu's great goal is not to promote a society dominated by women, but a to bring about a world of equality where the beautiful characteristics of women rule: a world of cooperation, sensitivity, and human kindness. This 1999 fifth edition contains significant new material compared to the previous 1992 release, and includes Montagu's new preface, an insightful introduction by Susan Sperling which explains Montagu's ideas in the context of current feminist theory, and the text of the important 1967 United Nations resolution titled "Declaration of the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women." Admirers of Montaugu's previous books will find many of his important themes repeated here, especially his credo, as H.G. Wells explained, that "civilization is a race between education and catastrophe." For those of us who at times believe that catastrophe is winning, the noble ideas in this work will provide insight, courage and inspiration. The Natural Superiority Of Women will help every thinking man to better appreciate the true essence of women, and help every woman to gain the vision and confidence to fulfill herself, nurture her family, stand up for her rights, and make the world a better -- a more equal and a more loving -- place to live. Michael Pastore, Reviewer
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Irrefutable Evidence, Feb 12 2000
Montagu's masterpiece should be read, rather than dismissed off-hand as folly. It is a frank and liberating revelation of female superiority. As humans, we should strive for enlightenment and this book will surely expose your fundamental assumptions (i.e., myths) and demolish them. It is the most intellectually honest, scholarly and well-written book I've read on the subject.
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