Margery D. Rosen

Confession: when I was little (starting around age nine, I think), I loved The Ladies Home Journal because it had a regular feature called "Can This Marriage Be Saved?" First the wife would talk, and I would be all on her side; then the husband would talk and I would realize that Wife was not telling the whole story. Then the counselor would talk, and I would realize that neither Husband nor Wife had a lock on objective reality (I didn't put it that way, of course. I was nine). It was my first inkling that even people who loved each other sometimes saw the world in completely different ways - and that neither one was deceptive or necessarily wrong. Reality was not just one thing - it could be a whole kaleidoscope of perspectives! *mind blows* I am convinced that these columns altered my entire worldview - in a totally good way.

So how delighted was I to get this book - a collection of some of the best columns - as a birthday present? SO DELIGHTED! (Thanks, Jenny!) The book is fascinating for its personal stories and also very nicely organized - the columns are placed in categories that touch on some of the critical factors that can negatively impact a marriage. It's clever and informative, yes, but the real pleasure is the slightly naughty feeling you have of peeping into people's personal business. (Holy crap, you wouldn't believe how many couples hardly ever have sex!) *pulls self together* *clears throat* Right. And, oh yes, the therapeutic tips at the end of each column are also helpful and informative.… (mehr)