Wednesday, Jul. 01, 2009

'Secrets’ Author to Sign Books Locally

Kathleen Bynum

Living Editor

First there was Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, which attempted to explain the differences between the sexes. Now, first-time author, psychologist and counselor Ron Stout gives us Secrets from Inside the Clubhouse: What Men REALLY Think About Women.

While I wouldn't describe this as a self-help book, it’s good social commentary on what Stout describes as "the long-overdue male perspective on how women’s roles have changed." Stout challenges readers to take the simple phrase: "Forty years ago, a woman did not (fill in the blank)," to show how drastically things have changed. For example, 40 years ago, a woman did not call a guy before he called her. Or, 40 years ago, a woman did not portray a superhero in a movie.

Now you may be thinking this sounds like a rather backward, even chauvinistic way of thinking. Stout is merely pointing out the changes our society has seen since the mid-1960s.

Listen up, ladies: If you’re wondering why doors are not open for you anymore, if you’ve ever been asked to pay for dinner — this book will give you some insight.

Stout gives readers "30 coveted secrets that men think about, might tell each other, but would never tell a woman."

He interviewed numerous men from all over the country, changing their names, to protect privacy — "and lives," he jokes. Stout reveals men’s attitudes on sex, work, money and the "head of household."

From "Secret No. 1: Women should play the hunted, not the hunter," to "Secret No. 30: Don’t Resist the Pedestal ... Just Enjoy the View," he covers almost every topic imaginable with insight and humor.

He also shares the 31st secret — he writes that this one secret is just for men. However, as a psychologist, he has got to know that as soon as he says this, there’s not a snowball’s chance in Hades that women will not continue reading! I won’t spoil his last secret, but if you read the book, you’re sure to find it interesting.

Stout will be at Barnes & Noble in Southlake next week to sign his book.