Description
Book SynopsisMore than 2 million Americans marry every year, each couple determined to live together happily ever after. Tragically, half of all first marriages fail, and subsequent attempts are even more likely to end in divorce. David Yount knows that lasting wedlock requires more than romantic love. Success depends on a couple''s commitment and compatibility of heart and mind to survive the inevitable trials of facing life together. Drawing on decades as a counselor and his own experience as a husband and parent, Yount puts readers on the path to build joyful, loving, and committed relationships. Yount offers no-nonsense advice on a wide range of issues, including financial budgeting, maintaining health, dealing with in-laws, parenting, sharing responsibilities, establishing common values, and recovering from divorce. He includes questions designed to stimulate reflection and discussion on key issues, such as compromise, religious beliefs, equality in marriage, and more-some surprising. Marria
Trade ReviewIn a crowded field of marriage self-helps, author and pastoral counselor, Yount crafts a fresh entry full of excellent insights, as well as above-average inspirational quotes from luminaries like John Donne and Tolstoy. Yount covers all the bases in one volume, from the decision to marry to the decision to divorce, but always emphasizing the importance of taking marriage vows seriously to keep a marriage strong, or at least sustained, through complicated situations such as troubled children or long-term illness. Though his approach doesn’t present a new set of solutions, Yount’s text is full of vivid examples that demonstrate his ideas working in real marriages. Sticking close to the topic of wedded bliss, Yount keeps his Christian perspective on marriage apparent but far from overwhelming; a useful 101-question "compatibility test" offers a serious inventory of issues that every couple should consider for their long-term health. * Publishers Weekly, Web Exclusive Review December 2009 *
What impressed itself on me was the book's multidimensional presentation of married life. Without slighting a couple's personal relationship, Yount situates marriage within a larger context. * The Conference Of Catholic Bishops, February 2010 *
Making a Success of Marriageis a much-needed guide for couples who truly want to make their relationships work. David Yount has an engaging and compelling formula for taking the guess-work out of marriage and helping couples to continually deepen the commitment and foundation that drew them together in the first place. Great for any couple, whether long-married or considering marriage for the first time. -- Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben Ph.D., author of There's an Easter Egg on Your Seder Plate Surviving Your Child's Interfaith Marriage
Table of ContentsPreface: Whatever Happened to Marriage? Introduction: Against All Odds Chapter 1 A Fine Romance: Putting It Together for a Lifetime Chapter 2 Deciding to Marry: Finding the Love of Your Life Chapter 3 Fidelity: Being True to Each Other Chapter 4 Forbearance: Dealing with Differences Chapter 5 Finance: Budgeting for Bliss Chapter 6 Comfort and Care: Providing for Your Mutual Health and Well-Being Chapter 7 Love and Respect: There Are Many Parties to a Good Marriage Chapter 8 Children: Surviving the Blessings of Offspring Chapter 9 Intimacy: Being One Flesh and One Spirit Chapter 10 Divorce: Surviving Separation, Finding Love Again Chapter 11 Permanence: Maintaining Marriage in Changing Times Chapter 12 Compatibility: A Test for Couples Contemplating Marriage and for Those Already Wed Appendix: How Long Has This Been Going On? A Short History of Marriage
