Very Insightful

Very useful discussion and I will be sharing this with my son and wife I’d like to discuss it with my wife

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Definitely worth a listen

I found this interesting but also found some of it hard to stomach. She proposes that men shift through different life stages with different intimacy needs and gifts, and that as women we need to understand and adapt to men’s life passage if we want successful intimate relationships with men. It’s nice that she’s so respectful of men, but concerning that she presents women so negatively. At one point she even puts on a witch voice to mimic women. It’s very conservative. Still despite this I was curious about her ideas, I liked that intimacy and maturation were the goals, and will probably listen again.

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wonderful

so many revelations. i laughed at my past behaviors. i listened to help with my teenage son. this has given me so much more than what i was searching for.

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Incredible insights for all women and men

I’m 25 and dealing with a big breakup. This was really insightful and gave me lots of learnings to heal from my past relationships and take new insights into my next! Plus gave me lots of insights on my dad and brother.

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Window to the Soul

Alison Armstrong has such a charm narrating her book and has provided so much insight and understanding to the vast and beautiful range of men in my life.

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Such a cherished analysis of men

I adore the detail and heart that this audiobook is written / spoken with.

I feels as though men are dear to the author’s heart and the insightful guide she provides through the evolution of manhood is extremely practical and valuable, whether you are a man or you live with/ love a man.

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Short. Sweet. Never felt more understood as a man.

Love the positive attitude, understanding nature and clear explanations between how men and women think/see things.

Any future romantic partner will get a copy of this book VERY early in our relationship haha

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Maslow's Hierarchy repackaged

The book was difficult to listen to. While it aimed to celebrate and honour men's journey, the author's approach was deeply troubling. She appeared to present a false dichotomy that positioned women as the direct antagonist to men's development.

The author's consistent characterisation of women as manipulative, pushy, and overbearing while portraying men as hapless, overburdened, victims is problematic. It speaks to an internalised misogyny that was uncomfortably apparent throughout the book.

While the book implies universality of experience, it's more of a proposed framework for a male journey to individuation within a Western (patriarchal) society. Which has helpful takeaways. Unfortunately, it fails to recognise the impact of patriarchy in shaping societal roles and behaviours, which became comically frustrating to listen to at times.

Instead, the author makes sweeping statements about how men and women are biologically wired, which is both inaccurate and deeply problematic (particularly against women). It felt like someone describing the proverbial room with the pink elephant but failed to notice the elephant because she became so accustomed to the room. However, in the words of the great Gabor Mate 'if civilisation could be calculated in 1 hour, patriarchal societies comprise 5 minutes.'

The struggle that many men face within patriarchal societies is valid. However, it is not as a result of women's behaviour. It's unfortunate that a book aimed at celebrating men felt the need to denigrate women, and it's important to recognise the harm caused by perpetuating false dichotomies and internalised misogyny.

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