Rating: 
Summary: I must be honest...
Review: While I agree with much of what Martha Peace says in this book, I have to say that reading it left me more confused than helped. I concur with the reviewer who said that this book puts too much of the responsibility for the state of the marriage on the wife. Yes, the wife is responsible for her own behavior, but it is the husband, as the head of the household, who is ultimately responsible for the state of the marriage. I was also left wondering, "How do I know if something my husband is doing is sin (in which case I should confront him as a sister in Christ) or just a really bad idea (in which case I should keep quiet and pray for him)?" That's probably another book in itself, but I kept hoping to find an answer to that question while reading The Excellent Wife and was disappointed. I don't think I'd recommend this book to other women without *insisting* that they read some of Douglas and Nancy Wilson's writings first (like Reforming Marriage, The Federal Husband, and The Fruit of Her Hands). These books seem to be much more solid and straightforward than The Excellent Wife.
Rating: 
Summary: Finally...A book to bring women back to where God desires us
Review: I have been searching for a truly Biblical perspective on how the Lord intended marriage to be. This is it !! Martha will take you one step at a time into a God-honoring relationship with your spouse. After God, our husband must be our next priority. We have lost sight of this mandate from our Lord. The world has tricked us into thinking other things must be before our husbands. Don't believe it, ladies !! Mrs. Peace guides you in one area at a time to a marriage that will bring HIM the glory. Did you know you bring glory to God by obeying and submitting to Him?? She does't offer many opinions..it is straight from the Word of God. Let this book, and the power of God, make your marriage how God intended it to be. It has changed my relationship with my husband to something that only God Gimself could have accomplished.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reading for both wives and husbands
Review: Both my wife and I have read this book together and will soon be reading the Exemplary Husband. These two books combine to provide a biblical view of marriage. What it does not do is take women back 300 years! What it does not do is teach women to be doormats or to simply sit quietly by while their husbands physically or mentall abuse them! It does not teach wives to be second class citizens to their husbands! Anyone that states any of these conclusions from the book did not read it closely or with an open mind. What the book does do is explain to wives (and husbands if they take the time to read it!) is that there is a biblical structure for households in which the husband is the spiritual leader and the wife is to submit to her husband's lead. It does express a view that there is a hierarchy outlined in the bible for a household. The book very clearly states that husbands and wives have equal worth in God's eyes. However, like any institution, marriage runs better when there is one leader - in the bible's view this one leader should be the husband. My wife and I have had a strong marriage that without realizing it followed fairly closely to the traditional role of husbands and wives. However, this book opened our eyes to ways in which we can improve our relationship. My wife is not a doormat. She has her opinions and I love her and respect those opinions. However, this book combined with our friendship, love, and respect have improved our marriage. Read it with an open mind and you will come away with a renewed marriage.
Rating:
Summary: Great resource to learn to be more like Christ!
Review: I highly recommend this book! It is a great resource for new and old Christians alike. The object is NOT to teach the wife how to make the marriage perfect all by herself (as one of the other reviews implied). This book's goal is to show you Biblcal tools that you can use to begin letting God change and mold your character to be more like Christ's. It is every Christian's responsibility to cultivate a deeper and more intimate relationship with God, and to become more like Jesus. That is our first ministry. For the Christian wife, her second ministry is to her husband. This book shows you scriptural principles that teach you how to become more like Christ THROUGH proper responses to your husband. Your ministry to your husband is the vehicle which God is going to use to change you. As you apply these principles, you will become a more godly wife and your marriage will become more fulfilling, because YOUR focus and expectations will be changed. But more importantly, you will be drawing closer to God and developing a more intimate relationship with Him, which is the most fulfilling of all! This book is written well and is easy to understand. I would recommend it even for those who are single, because the principles are very universal, and can easily be transferred to any other conflicts or situations in your life (relationships to your boss, siblings, parents, etc.) In fact I have been using it to teach these principles to my 8-year-old daughter, and she is responding very well. You want to buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: This Book Transformed My Marriage!
Review: Like many women my age, I grew up in a broken home, with mother in charge and never learned how to be a wife. When I married I brought in my life experience coupled with the poision that the modern media and culture works so hard to indoctrinate girls with. Finally after a few shaky years, I found this magnificent book! I began implementing the principles and have never regretted it for one moment! Not only has my marriage and family been strengthened, but my relationship with my Lord has as well. Ladies, buy this book - you will not regret it!
Rating: 
Summary: DANGEROUS!
Review: I found myself in a state of frustration and confusion after reading this book. It seems like Mrs. Peace not only rests the whole weight of the marriage on the wife's shoulders, but she also seems to feel that the place of the wife is UNDER the husband's foot instead of at his side. Statements such as the wife should "recognize that her work, needs and desires are less important than her husband's" are NOT helpful! In fact, they go far to breeding a serious sense of inferiority in a woman! I actually had to seek the advice of other Christian married women, whose advice I trust and lives I know to remind me that I while yes I am submissive, that is not equated with inferior. I think this is a dangerous book for newly married Christian wives, particularly those who don't have positive Christian, marital examples in their life.
Rating:
Summary: Biblical Submision empowers not supresses
Review: I first read THE EXCELLENT WIFE BY MARTHA PEACE 3 years ago. The excellent advice and guidelines helped me transform 'our marriage'. I still read this book I have bought several copies as gifts it is an excellent gift for a new Christian Wife. The book is challenging, and it s a little like moisturiser for your skin takes awhile to sink in but through the years you reap the benefits. I am involved in a group that studies this book there are many of us we are all from different walks of life and different countries different ages and different denomination and yet we have each enjoyed the good teaching in this most excellent study book. Did I become an excellent wife well not yet but I am more excellent now than I was last year. Happy reading.
Rating:
Summary: The Excellent Wife, by Martha Peace
Review: Excellent! This book allowed me to see how I needed to change my life to follow God's will as a wife - according to God's word, the Bible. I believe any Christian who reads this book and does not like it is because they are living a "worldly life" instead a life according to God's word. As a Christian they should look closer at the Bible. 'The Excellent Wife' makes tons of references to the Bible in regards to her statements.
Rating:
Summary: Read with an open mind
Review: As a former feminist, I am now preparing to marry. I purchased this book. First, I was amazed at the similarity between the secular Dominance and Submission relationships I've seen and this Biblical approach. I think the message Martha is sending is a very conservative one - not leaving much room for personality. I do however think there are many wonderful things to glean from this book. There is nothing wrong with being submissive! Now - if some of these were to read a book like this to MEN about how to be excellent leaders of their home, maybe some of these reviewers wouldn't be quite so hostile. How many people in today's world actually get to experience a loving, thoughtful, caring, and affectionate man who is a leader in his home? It's no wonder there is so much rebellion here! It is a joy to be submissive when I am loved, cherished and cared for. It really is a two way street. This is a complicated subject - but what can it hurt? If you don't agree with it - then bring it to the library. My advice? Take what you need and leave the rest - you might need it later.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Eye Opener!
Review: Mrs. Peace's book and its accompanying study guide helped me to face some important truths about myself, the first being that I feared the submission requirement in Christian marriage in large part because I feared not having my way. That being said, both the book and study guide overflow with appropriately contextualized Bible quotations and explore the various duties of women in Christian marriage. No matter what your "take" on submission and traditional wifehood, this well-written and competently edited book will be a real eye opener for you! Highly recommended
| 
