The Adonis Complex: The Secret Crisis of Male Body Obsession
Author: Harrison G. Pope Jr., Katharine A. Phillips, Roberto Olivardia
List Price: $25.00
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ISBN: 0684869101
Publisher: Free Press (30 April, 2000)
Sales Rank: 68,592
Average Customer Rating: 3.71 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
A Revelation
The authors of this book have been doing a lot of research over the years. The chapter notes contain at least 50 research papers that they have published in various scientific journals. Some of their findings are pretty stunning. For example, in a study of college men, they found that the average man would like to have a body with about 30 pounds more muscle than he actually has, and that he believes that women actually WANT him to look that muscular! In fact, when the authors studied actual women, they found that women preferred a male body that looks like an ordinary college student with no extra muscle. The authors also quote a street corner survey in which women were asked to rate the attractiveness of big bodybuilders on a scale where 0 was most attractive and 5 was the most repulsive. More than 90% of the women rated the bodybuilders as a 5.As a woman, I'm not surprised to learn this, but I think it's a revelation to see some of these studies about how men feel about their bodies. It makes it more understandable to me why men do dumb things like taking steroids. I'd particularly recommend this book to other women.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Finally The Truth ....Revealed
First of all, "The Adonis Complex" isn't a official medical term but since body image is such a vast concern among ALL male age groups, 3 brave people have decieded to write and explore about male body obsession. I immediately decieded to read up on this book because I too have found myself facing the Adonis Complex. The book starts off at the Olympic Gym in Boston, Mass and examines male weightlifters. They cover everyone from the "built personal trainer" to the lean "skinny" guy exercising for a common cause. All these men have one thing in common; they all are insecure and they are obsessed with having and maintaining a great physique! This book covers steriod use and why people choose to use them, muscle confessions from REAL people with The Adonis Complex, and phychological disorders among males such as muscle dysmorphia. There is a section for parents to read on how to know, treat, and prevent body obsession in young boys and teenagers. You want to know what women REALLY think, the answer lies here. In conclusion, I felt releaved and a bit depressed when I realized how many of us men suffer with The Adonis Complex. Men especially read up on this book because you will NEVER see yourself and other exercise buffs in the same way again.
Rating: 5 out of 5
A Groundbreaking Book
The Adonis Complex is a groundbreaking book that sheds light on a mostly unrecognized problem. In response to a previous comment, Harrison Pope is not just a "bookworm academic"--he is writing from personal experience, having lifted weights for the last 30 years. These authors are all experts and leaders in their field. They have developed some groundbreaking studies and came up with the term "muscle dysmorphia". This is not a dry, academic book. Their research is very thorough and detailed, but very easy to understand, and there are many interesting anecdotes about men who have suffer from this problem. This is an excellent and well-researched book on a seldomly discussed topic. Similar Products
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