A self-evaluation and bold exploration that pairs scientific analysis with personal intuition.
When Doc Brown met Clara Clayton in Back to the Future, he never expected love at first sight. Why not? “It’s romantic nonsense. There’s no scientific rationale for it.” But that man of science quickly realized that Clara could bring out the best in him, draw out qualities he hadn’t yet discovered in himself, and help him meet his full potential. Isn’t that the kind of fulfillment a romantic person is looking for? To feel like we’ve found the missing half that finally makes us whole? Gregory V. Diehl’s aspirational book, The Romantic Ideal, is a self-evaluation and bold exploration that pairs scientific analysis with personal intuition. His unique experiences and astute observations offer useful insights into relationship dynamics in our modern world.
This book is not a social or moral statement of gender identity, a broad indictment on masculinity, or a snap judgment on the favored position of beautiful women. Instead, it is an honest look, specifically through a masculine lens, at the ways culture heavily sways our gendered qualities, the impact different types of relationship chemistry have on our choices, the role sex plays in romantic endeavors, and how being a romantic at heart can be an amazing gift or a crushing blow. The seven chapters discuss everything from falling in love to dealing with a toxic relationship, and every facet of attraction and connection in between. Diehl’s honesty in the face of setbacks and triumphs not only allows readers to witness the author’s emotional development but also mirrors our own feelings in a composed, well-reasoned manner, paving the way to avoid some of the same heartaches
For all the idealists out there, this book frames the distinctions between genders as an opportunity to take advantage of our respective strengths rather than consider these attributes as limitations.“The further we stray in either direction from the neutral androgynous center, the more important it is that we understand and empathize with each other to reap the benefits of our respective strengths and specializations.” How far we stray varies greatly from person to person, but there is unquestionable value in embracing our differences. The potential for self and mutual actualization is correlated to the type of person we involve ourselves with, and Diehl’s magnetic storytelling highlights his attempts at making that elusive perfect match. The author’s insights are inherently limited, particularly when handling the other side of cultural influence and the driving force behind feminine motivations, but the overall story arc will leave readers with a much better understanding of the way men approach their feminine counterparts, even if it lacks the honeyed Hollywood happy ending we’re used to. If you’re prepared to reshape your notion of romanticism and embark on a candid journey directly to the heart, let The Romantic Ideal—The Highest Standard of Romance for a Man guide you through this profound, self-reflective adventure.
