The most intriguing thing about Sex & Business is the title. To say the least, it is eye-catching and makes you want to satisfy your curiosity. But the reality, as with so much else that suggests so much, is more mundane.
Here, feminist thinker and gender specialist Shere Hite focuses her attention on sexuality issues in the world of work.
The book could just as easily have been called "Gender and the workplace" - but this is pop sociology aimed at the information technology generation. It is sub-titled "Reprogramming your mental software for the 21st century".
Hite asks the question: can men and women really work together?
With new relationships springing up and a different situation in the workplace, men and women will profit from new dynamics in the emotional landscape, Hite says.
Sex & Business attempts to deal with everything from resentment, prejudice and office romances to sexual harassment - with a lot of anecdotal evidence.
Hite points out the book is not just for women and that much of her analysis of relationships at work is focused on men. A lot of thought has been given here to catchy phrases, flashy design and references to popular culture which makes it an easy book to dip into, but detracts from the seriousness of the project. Take the issue of sexual harassment, for example. Hite's chapter dealing with this problem merely consists of anecdotes, unattributed statistics and finally tips on how companies can avoid being sued - amounting to insultingly obvious advice.
Sex & Business is peppered with novel sections such as "brain commands" to delete or install and "brain games". It also includes pages where the reader can jot down their opinions which can be e-mailed to the book's website - "Naturally, you may express yourself anonymously."
It is almost as if the reader cannot be expected to read a straightforward narrative anymore with properly-sourced evidence, comparisons and strongly stated conclusions.
Hite's latest book is strong on presentation and looks good but lacks substance and cannot be taken too seriously.
But she can claim some prestige and was able to persuade chief executives from Fortune 500 companies to give their views and opinions.
Will the sheer volume of stories and opinions here be of some use? I am not so sure.
