Finally, and perhaps most unexpectedly, in 2009 Harvey became a bestselling author of relationship advice books. Growing out of a segment on his radio show in which he served up hilariously blunt advice to women callers frustrated in their relationships with men, Harvey’s books seem to be based on the general principle that men are dogs and women need to treat them accordingly. While critics dismissed Harvey’s advice as little more than a collection of overblown stereotypes, fans took to his blunt, comedic approach to self-help for the lovelorn. Both Harvey’s debut, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man (2009), and its follow-up, Straight Talk, No Chaser (2010), broke onto bestseller lists.
