The director of New York City's Center for Sexual Recovery attacks ignorance about normal sexual functioning that causes men to panic and women to blame themselves when intercourse goes off course. Even among themselves—much less with women—men hide the truth about their sex lives. Margolies (The Best of Friends, the Worst of Enemies, 1987) describes a young client who envied his best friend's virility and amazing success with women, unaware that the friend was also a client, being counseled for premature ejaculation. The author divides her book into two sections: ``Undressing,'' an exploration of sexual dysfunctions, and ``Redressing,'' which contains suggestions for solving those dysfunctions. Drawing on cases treated during her 15 years as a therapist, she shows how problems start and how women may unknowingly exacerbate them. Finally, she offers specific exercises for partners to practice with their mates and guidelines for judging when a man requires professional help. Margolies takes a candid but not titillating approach to such controversial topics as fetishism, cross-dressing, exhibitionism, and sadomasochism. Essentially a how-to manual, her book avoids the larger question of men's fear of intimacy. A much-needed resource for any woman whose partner is one of the 50 million American men experiencing sexual difficulties.
Pub Date: May 9, 1994
ISBN: 0-525-93832-X
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1994
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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