Why men don't listen and women can't read maps by Allan Pease | Barbara Pease

Book Summary:

Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read Maps by Allan Pease and Barbara Pease is a bestselling pop-psychology guide that explores supposed innate differences between men’s and women’s brains and behavior. Drawing on evolutionary psychology and research spanning three years of global travel, the Peases argue that men evolved as hunters—resulting in narrow focus, spatial acuity, and preference for problem-solving—while women evolved as nurturers—developing better peripheral vision, multitasking, and verbal communication skills.

They claim women speak significantly more than men daily, using conversation as emotional bonding, whereas men might opt for silence when stressed and dislike unsolicited advice . The book offers explanations for common relationship misunderstandings and provides practical advice: men should listen without always offering solutions, and women should communicate more directly when dealing with men.

Despite its popularity and humorous tone, the book has drawn criticism for lacking rigorous scientific evidence and reinforcing gender stereotypes without acknowledging the influence of socialization and cultural factors

About The Author:

Allan Pease (born 1952 in Australia) is a globally recognized communication expert, motivational speaker, and bestselling author—often referred to as “Mr. Body Language.” Originally a musician, Pease began his professional journey in life insurance sales, achieving remarkable success before transitioning into training and public speaking focused on persuasion, influence, and nonverbal communication strategies.

Together with his wife, Barbara Pease, he co-authored over 18 international bestsellers—including The Definitive Book of Body Language and Why Men Don’t Listen & Women Can’t Read Maps. Their books have sold more than 27 million copies in over 55 languages, and their training seminars have been conducted in over 70 countries.

Despite lacking formal academic credentials in psychology or neuroscience, Allan Pease built credibility through empirical observation and real-world experience. He became known for decoding human behavior in high-profile settings—including hosting seminars in Russia for politicians like Vladimir Putin—and scaled his influence across corporate, media, and academic arenas.