THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR MAKING MARRIAGE WORK

Sixteen years of systematically watching couples interact and following their progress in life reveal what it takes to make a marriage work. This is riveting, accessible stuff, and even when the book’s lists and questionnaires challenge attention spans, narrator John Allen Nelson’s vocal urgency keeps listeners receptive to its many useful ideas. It helps when couples have similar personalities, lifestyles, and values. But if they don’t, they can still connect in a fulfilling way by exploring the deeper meanings behind preferences and accepting things that aren’t likely to change. Other strategies include finding shared meaning and focusing on conflicts that can be resolved by staying in the conversations, celebrating the positives often, and avoiding destructive communication habits. This is 10 fast-moving hours that can start a lifetime of satisfying togetherness. T.W. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2011]