Reviews

Psychotherapist Good suggests that any man can be a difficult man; what a woman needs to love such a man is courage, the courage to take emotional risks. Good provides numerous practical suggestions as she examines various types of difficult men, from those who are chronically late to those, such as alcoholics, who pose graver problems. Citing childhood experience as the source of much difficult behavior, Good shows that women often react counterproductively to such behavior, thereby reinforcing destructive patterns. Suggesting ways to change these patterns, Good emphasizes that men, too, want relationships to work. This first book will be a welcome addition to the literature. Mary L. Kirk, Randall Lib., Univ. of North Carolina, Wilmington

Manhattan psychotherapist Good bases her book on case studies of women patients with unsatisfactory mates. There is a strong suggestion that ``difficult''is redundant as applied to men here, since, notes the author, society encourages males to be demanding and females to be submissive. In spite of the feminist movement, past cultural patterns still influence and weaken intimate relationships, stresses Good. She writes about one husband who belittles his wife's accomplishments, another who changes from an ardent to an indifferent sexual partner, others who saddle their wives with the entire responsibility for care of home and family, etc. Good offers sensible advice on how to alter the behavior of difficult men so that women who love them can live with them. 35,000 first print-ing; $35,000 ad/promo; first serial to the Globe; Troll Book Club alternate. (March 23)