Why Men Don't Iron: The Fascinating and Unalterable Differences Between Men and Women

by Anne Moir, Bill Moir

Book by Moir, Anne, Moir, Bill

Genres: Nonfiction, Biology, Science

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 26, 1998

Reviews

[Vasily Myazin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever contemplated what makes genders so different from each other? In today’s world of multi-genderism it’s a controversial question. This book is not the most recent work in that field, yet it opens up a myriad of fascinating subjects. The Moirs pack a lot of facts that may not bring joy and comfort to all but they definitely shed some light on the previously murky areas such as biological predispositions for gender identity, or stress levels of a mother during pregnancy which influences their baby’s brain development.
Another informative subject the authors explored was gardening and attitudes towards organic food that often divide men and women. The acceptance of soy and plant-based foods may not suit men as well as women. There are also several cultural and political subjects related to gender that are presented in such a way that I never encountered before.
The interspersed dialogs between the authors as a husband and a wife I didn’t care for, to be honest, but they didn’t take away from the value of this thought-provoking and delightfully opinionated work.

[Shahidah Siraaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think every woman should read this book. I would just say she should approach it with an open mind and a willingness to understand men differently.

[Tsegaye Megiso]

I want to understand male & female difference.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking but needs updating

I first read this book when it was used as a tie-in for a Channel 4 series. In those days it had the subtitle "and Women Can't Read Maps", something I objected to because I'm a woman and I can read maps.

This edition has more about organic and environmental issues than I remember from the original book. A lot of what the authors have to say is thought-provoking if you keep an open mind. My main problem with the book is that all the references date from the 1990s, if not earlier. I'm sure that more research has been done since then. For example, women's ability to multitask has been questioned. So it's interesting and worth a look, but I advise finding a book that uses more up-to-date research, if there is one.

[Philip Alzira-Rolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the title this isn't a frivolous book. It is a very readable popular science look at the differences between the male and female brain. It looks at how physiological and chemical differences between brains then affect behaviour.

[Meishuu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disgusting gender-essentialism bullshit, with no base on science at all. Go read Gina Rippon and Cordelia Fine instead.