Fighting for Your Marriage: Positive Steps for Preventing Divorce and Preserving a Lasting Love, New and Revised

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Summary: A Standard Issue to All Couples
Review: If only I have read this book earlier in my life, my marriage outcome would be a lot different. This book is a must have in solving and understanding the intricacies of a relationship. It's also very appropriate in development the important interpersonal management skill necessary to be successful in life. The book contains tangible concepts and workable solutions. Friends who I've loan this book benefitted.

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Summary: This book saved our marriage!
Review: My husband and I married in our mid thirties thinking we had a lock on good communication skills and knowing we were mature enough to really make this marriage work. Nonetheless, it wasn't long before we were "mired in muck". When a small conflict arose, we found ourselves so caught up in being right and fighting our point to the death that small events escalated into huge issues. We could feel the good things in our relationship slipping away and felt helpless to fix the problem. (This was AFTER reading probably 20 different books on marriage, doing the Barbara D'Angelis program, the Gary Smally Program, attending several couples workshops, etc.). Contemplating calling it quits on our marriage, I happened accross this book, loved it, then went to a PREP workshop. Our marriage is AWESOME. We actually know how to hear and be heard and have the skills to RESOLVE the conflicts. (By the way, note the "I". My spouse hasn't read the book and refused to go to the workshop.) I learned the skills and used them in our marriage and our relationship changed. It even works with kids, in-laws, co-workers.... Yippee!

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Summary: Good Stuff
Review: My wife and I had been contemplating divorce. A friends loaned me this book and The RoMANtic's Guide by Michael Webb. My husband and I read both books and it was as though scales dropped from our eyes. We have been like newslyweds for the past 6 months and this time we aren't going to stop loving and romancing each other.

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Summary: Beneficial for Anyone - Married or Single
Review: Overall, it was very good especially if you can get your spouse to read it with you and actually try the suggestions given. Now if only one of you are reading the book it also works in a viewpoint that you'll understand where you stand and how he/she may be reacting to the discussion, disagreement or whatever. For example, you'll notice that when one of you walks away or stays quiet while the other is trying to solve the problem then instead of thinking he/she isn't paying attention you may say to yourself he/she is now withdrawing so let me put this off until we are both open to listening and discussing the situation. Many points in the book were very helpful in making sense of how men and women view things in a different light of importance. The book is not only good for couples but for singles as well, Marriage is a TEAM that works best when you can communicate and learn that you go from I, ME to US and WE. I recommend it - great insights even better if you can convice the other to join you in reading it together.

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Summary: An EXCELLENT source for clinicians or individuals!
Review: The authors' presentation of the PREP approach is concise and meaningful for clinicians, therapists, and individuals alike who are seeking a model for conflict resolution and enrichment of ANY intimate relationship. Although written in the context of heterosexual marriage, the same principles obviously apply to homosexual and non-traditional unions. Highly recommended from a doctoral level clinician who has found this model to work in both straight and gay/lesbian relationships.

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Summary: Good book, but some concerns
Review: This book has a lot of worthwhile information in it, however, there are some obvious problems with it as well. It makes some overarching statements like "70% of women behave", without citing the source of their information. In fact there is no bibliography. Thus this book should be viewed with a critical eyes, with the reader asking whether certain information really applies to their marriage.

Rating:
Summary: Good book, but some concerns
Review: This book has a lot of worthwhile information in it, however, there are some obvious problems with it as well. It makes some overarching statements like "70% of women behave", without citing the source of their information. In fact there is no bibliography. Thus this book should be viewed with a critical eyes, with the reader asking whether certain information really applies to their marriage.

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Summary: Great!
Review: This book helped us identify negative patterns in our marriage and by follwing the practical advise, we really raised our communication to the next level. All couples will fight, learn how to do it productively!

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Summary: Should Be Required Reading
Review: This book should be required reading for all couples getting married. If only I had read this book first, I could have avoided a lot of the bumps along the marital journey and saved myself and my spouse a lot of grief. Based on sound research and full of excerpts from real couples' lives, this book is now my favorite gift to newlyweds. It gives you great comfort to know that the arguments you and your spouse have occur in all marriages at different times. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking at making their marriage last for the long haul!

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Summary: A practical, working script to deal with conflict
Review: This guide to dealing with strife in relationships would be a great asset to not only the long married couple with deep rooted problems, but especially to those newly married or just engaged. The processes used in the book really open the eyes of both partners to the hidden issues that lie behind many of the blow ups or spats that occur. You learn how to recognize those things that alter your perspective on the issues you are "discussing", and how to effectively communicate your feelings and position without being mis-interpreted. You and your partner will both feel more undersood, and you'll be better able to make the compromises that are neccessary when you want your relationship to last.