Why Men Marry Bitches by Sherry Argov (2006, Paperback)

I bought this book as a joke for my unmarried female cousin. She and I always see bitchy or unattractive schlumpy women walking around with fabulously gorgeous, successful men. Before I got married, I'd join her in whispering, "Why do good men marry bitches?"

Now I normally don't buy self-help books, especially relationship ones, for other people. It's just rude. No single girl needs a "how to catch a man" or "what's wrong with you that you're single and how to fix it" book. But since she and I had been joking so recently about not-very-nice women getting husbands, I thought this would be ok. Just to be sure, I read it through myself before giving it to her..

I was surprised to find that this book isn't about bitchy women, it's about strong, self-confident ones! The author explains (after stating firmly this is not another "how to catch a husband book") why she put the word Bitch in the title:

"When I use the word bitch, the woman I'm describing is not cruel or mean... I use it.. in a tongue-in-cheek way.. I use it to describe a strong woman who has her own identity and is secure with who she is.. She'll back away at the slightest hint of disrespect."

This book is different from The Rules in many ways. It doesn't encourage you to play games, but it does give you techniques to cope with bad behavior on a man's part. There are definitely tips it teaches you on how to behave in a way that a man will realize you are the type he should keep around forever, not just have a one night stand with.

The chapters include:

Throwing Out the Rulebook: Why a Strong Woman Wins His Heart

Make Him Chase You - Until You Catch Him. How to Convince Him Commitment Was His Idea.

The Sun Rises and Sets in His Boxer Shorts - How to Start a Fire That He Can't Put Out

Female Button Pushing - A Time-Honored Male Tradition

Wanted: Joe Paycheck - Why Financial Independence Makes You Desirable as a Wife

Breaking into the Boys Club - Stolen Secrets - All the Classified Things Men Will Share Only in the Company of Other Men

From "I Might" To "I Do" - Getting a Ring on the Finger He's Wrapped Around.

If I could sum up all the info in this book briefly, it mostly encourages you to be a fun, strong, independent woman out having a good time with lots of friends. Let a guy see that if he doesn't call you, you have better things to do with your time. If your steady boyfriend comes home late when he shouldn't, go out of town for a fun weekend with your girlfriends. Give him lots, and lots of space, perhaps even too much space, so he has time to miss you. (I've told my girl friends that so many times and they never listen).

The advice given about expecting respect, and behaving with dignity really is empowering.

There's also a lot of sensible information about not dressing like a tramp and showing your body off, and not becoming sexually intimate right away in the relationship. Make him wait for it and earn the privilege of being with you!

This book is a fun and interesting read, though a bit raunchier than I had expected. There are an awful lot of references to doggy-style, mounting, and frank references to blowjobs. If you can handle that, go for it. Be careful who you give this book as a gift to for that reason also.