Hidden Keys of a Loving, Lasting Marriage: Principles of Strong and Lasting Marriages

As a young man on the brink of marraige I am finding this book and its keys very helpful in understanding my fiance.The first half is meant for me and the second half is meant for her, but we are learning alot by reading it together all the way through(she actually likes when I read to her). When the author writes about the common pitfalls of communication between the sexes I feel like he is talking about me and my bride. We are listening to each other with new ears, and learning about each other with great optimism. We already see how to better understand one another, and we believe that continuing to apply the principles in this book will help us enjoy our life as "heirs together of the grace of life."I recommend this to anyone who wants a healthy friendship and deeper love for their spouse. The wisdom and knowledge in it can help us improve all relationships with the opposite sex.

If u are a God fearing homemaker/SAHM struggling to find peace in ur marriage to a brutish husband with a short attention span this the perfect book for u! Everything revolves around the man being the bread winner so it was not always relatable to me. Even so, he had some good points and I'm glad I read it. I'm sure for many people it could really be a great resource.

My husband & I read this after 2 years of marriage and we just had our 17th year anniversary! This book clarifies how to effectively communicate with your spouse without destroying your marriage. It does this with Christian based principles, love and respect. Too many marriages are broken because couples are not able to peaceful communicate their deepest concerns or feelings. If you or anyone you know is having trouble in their marriage, this book is a MUST read!

My husband and I help with pre-marriage preparation in our church and give this book to couples to help them deal with the gender differences that are so prominent (and often challenging) in the expectations each has for the other spouse. Easy to read and understand. Just stay out of each other's section of the book! The front chapters are directed to the husband and the other half directed to the wife.

There are some key concepts in here, like always prioritizing your mate over work, hobbies, and friends. To not criticize them but support them and value their input. To treat your mates like a something to be treasured, and not taken for granted. To make time for them and treat them like a priority, to make them feel special. That communication is key in a relationship to be able to express each others desires and needs, something that can be hard in some relationships. Dated, but still relevant.

Gary Smalley hits the nail on the head when he descibes what women really need from their husbands in this wonderful book. I have read many marriage books and this one will remain at the top. Any man would be wise to heed his advice. There is also a part of the book for women to learn what it is their husbands really need. Enjoy! Sharon

This book is written more from the prospective of the man trying to be a better husband or get his wife back. I was looking for something different. I am a woman so I want prospectives from my standpoint. While I am religious I am not Christian, so I am not interested in reading bible verses.

Like it!!

Best book you will ever read in this topic area!