What Do Women Want?

Adventures in the Science of Female Desire

By: Daniel Bergner

Narrated by: Charles Pasternak

When it comes to sex, common wisdom holds that men roam while women crave closeness and commitment. But in this provocative, headline-making book, Daniel Bergner turns everything we thought we knew about women's arousal and desire inside out. Drawing on extensive research and interviews with renowned behavioral scientists, sexologists, psychologists, and everyday women, he forces us to reconsider long-held notions about female sexuality.

This bold and captivating journey into the world of female desire explores answers to such thought-provoking questions as: Are women perhaps the less monogamous sex? What effect do intimacy and emotional connection really have on lust? What is the role of narcissism—the desire to be desired—in female sexuality? Are political gains for women ("No means no") detrimental in the bedroom? And is the hunt for a "female Viagra" anything but a search for the cure for monogamy?

Bergner goes behind the scenes of some of the most groundbreaking experiments on sexuality today and confronts us with controversial, sometimes uncomfortable findings. Incendiary, profoundly insightful, and brilliantly illuminating, What Do Women Want? will change the conversation about women and sex, and is sure to spark dynamic discussion for years to come.

Interesting Book, TERRIBLE Narration!!!

Would you listen to What Do Women Want? again? Why?

No, I would read the book, the Narration was distracting and just plain terrible.

Were the concepts of this book easy to follow, or were they too technical?

A little of both, not exactly a light "read" but very interesting.

Would you be willing to try another one of Charles Pasternak’s performances?

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Realizing what my wife probably wants...anything but me.

Any additional comments?

Depressing to understand that the person that you love is just frankly not interested in you...unfortunately it aligns with reality so the book states what has been obvious to me for three-quarters of my 15 year marriage.

Narrator is terrible

I feel like the narrator tried to sound sensual because he knew the book was about sex. It was awful to hear him draw out vowels and clip consonants in an effort to sound sexy? It's science, not erotica! Also his impressions of women's voices were not only insulting but pretty laughable.

An exceptionally well presented body of research

Impressed by how all bases were covered: brain chemistry, anatomy, sociology, pop theory, etc. Excellent!

Well researched

I believe that the information was well researched but occasionally the author repeats a line to emphasize the statement. I find it annoying and suggestive that we are not paying attention. Outside of the small annoying parts. I found it to be very science based information and allowed me to understand it without playing along in hope's to hear something more than just sexy fluff.

Interesting Content Narration Downside

Where does What Do Women Want? rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's OK. Too many testimonials from women not enough science/studies.

What three words best describe Charles Pasternak’s performance?

If you like borderline erotic content read to you in a overenunciated, nasally fashion this book might be for you. Narration was a bit irritating.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Lots of good first hand accounts of supposedly what women want. Spoiler alert woman want a lot of different things and it doesn't line up neatly with cultural narratives. Just one observation about these types of books is that the "break through" always is monogamy is not the norm. When I hear this I always think about world leaders, powerful businessman, celebrities. Basically people who can get whoever they want into bed. Why do these people always end up getting married if monogamy isn't somewhat normal or wanted?

Any additional comments?

Some people commented this book is depressing, but I think it just reflects how complex human beings are. It's nothing to fear. This book focuses on what women want in terms of sex, but this is just one piece of a relationship. Also, feelings change, what women want changes, testimonials are akin to a snapshot in time.