Way Books

I loved this book. It has made an excellent addition to my library of Native American spirituality and practices. There is much in it that is relevant and useful. The Cherokee have a beautiful way of looking at the world.

I have read several books by the Garretts and find them all to be wonderful sources of information and brings my Cherokee heritage home to rest in my heart. Thank You.

The Garretts pull from their experieces from the "real world," as well as their healings and practical experience with the Cherokee to give us excellent starting points in helping ourselves and others. For such a thin book, there is a lot of advice hidden in the stories and accounts, if you know what to look for.

I really enjoyed reading this material and consider it the best for Individuals of Indian ancestry who still believe in the Traditional Ways.

This is a must read book for first time people into the world of the Native americans. It will open a whole new door that you will bring out of it is the respect for all living things and for Morther Earth. The book helps you understand that certain things are sacred to the Native Americans and how it ties into their beliefs. Once you read this book you will begin to see things through the eyes of a different race, but from the point of a Native American. You will learn differemt ways of praying and saying thanks to mother nature. You will take things from the book and apllied to your everyday life. Wah Doh.

If you want to know more about your subc.I heartily recommend these CDs

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind
The Master Key System
Thought Vibration or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World
The Science of Getting Rich
The Science of Mind
Think and Grow Rich: Original Version

Dr. Murphy's long study of the mind and how to use it continues to be revealed in this fascinating book. One of many "must reads" that Dr. Murphy wrote.

An excellent book. Easy to read, and with very good subject matter that CAN make a difference to your life.

I'm not saying you will believe everything that Murphy says -- but he gets you thinking. His perspective is interesting, a despite the time that Murphy's book has been around, it is like a "breath of fresh air".

A better word might be renewal. Well worth a read.

This books shows and proves that we control our lives and our destiny.

Joseph Murphy has written what has to be one of the most profound yet simple books on Spiritual principles and truth ever written. I was so blessed by this book. I would highly recommend to anyone seeking a real relationship with God. It really is not complicated and Joseph Murphy shows you how to achieve it.

This book shows how to do watercolour figure sketches in a loose free style.

The eye-catching pictures help in showing how to draw people with exercises that are easy to follow and understand.

For learning to draw or paint people and figures this is an excellent book. He also talks about the materials needed; colour mixing, brushwork and practical tips to get the result you are after.

You may not enjoy this book if you like more detailed realistic paintings as his style is sketchy but to me this is the magic.

Charles Reid does his usual "bang-up" job. The pictures make you want to pick up a brush immediately. I also have one of his early books...very worn by now...and this one doesn't disappoint me either.

This book is so helpful..from the preparatory sketch to painting in watercolor, he teaches it all. His techniques are simply amazing, and I've learned more from this book than anything else...I FULLY recommend this book

I have other books by Charles Reid that I love. I didn't know that this book was still available, so I was thrilled to find it. It is a great book on painting the figure. I am an art teacher, so I will share it contents with my students.

If you like Mr. Reid work, then you'll love this one. If you have one book
to buy for watercolor, then this is the only one you need. This book will teach you alot, if you are ready to invest yourself.
The spontaneity usually associated with watercolor is an illusion, and this
book with simple exercise will help you control this medium, and help you
cause accident that others call spontaneity.

This book is thorough, articulate and provides mountains of information in a concise, easy way for anyone to understand. A must read BEFORE you have a child and are bombarded with all the protocol that can often confuse and intimidate. This has been long needed!

This book is great because she is both a doctor and holistic. She lists what is in the vaccines and their issues while at the same time explaining all about the dangers of the disease and treatments so the reader can make their own decision.

Laid out in black and white for the uninitiated. There is another way folks and rarely has it been so eloquently expressed. A must read for concerned parents.

I got scared about all this vaccination-autism fuss, and this book is very informative about vaccinations, it gives you tips and all the information to make a decision and even investigate more about all this. I feel more prepared and confident when I talk to my pediatrician; we have to take all this very seriously because we are our children's voice.

This book was great for me; it gave me information that I didn't find in other places. However, I can not say that it is impartial; it tries to correct for the widespread misinformation. It might be a good introduction to the material for some but definitely not for all, because of its bias. It can definitely help you choose what is best for your child as an individual, but it can not serve as your only source in making that choice (unless you are sold on not vaccinating at all). It simply doesn't have enough details about the actual ingredients to weigh the risks with the benefits; the author seems to conclude that none of the vaccines are worth the risks. As someone who has chosen to selectively vaccinate my children, I did find the book helpful. The first source I use is Dr. Sears' The Vaccine Book because it has factual information about the ingredients. This book is the second source I use for a little more information on the issue. I don't think this book really lives up to its subtitle "practical medical and natural ways to protect your child." Also, I agree with some other criticisms about her use of language. From an editorial standpoint, this book is not a final copy. It is only a revision or two away, but it is not properly polished. Quite a shame. I am still grateful I have this source.

This book made me feel hopeful regarding christianity again. In a world of hositility and fear the hope of mercy and grace is like drinking a cold glass of water in a desert. I felt I could put into practice the spirit in which the monks live. Well worth the read for a parched soul.

I picked up Radical Hospiality because of a sermon I heard in Boston awhile ago while visiting a friend from college. I did not catch the name of the author, authors as it turns out, but I was sure the minister, a woman, was quoting from a book. When I did a internet search it turned out that the phrase Radical Hospitality is used by religious and social groups from churches to conventions, all around the world. What I amazed by is that so few of the people, like the minister, name where they got their quotes or who they are quoting. This is a very fine book. It borders on brilliant actually and I am not the sort to use such a word casually. Why would anyone not want to give these authors the credit they deserve? The book, Radical Hospitality is challenging in a gentle way. I never once felt like the writers were shoving some agenda down my throat. There is just this level of telling their own experience and stories that any half-brain dead person could tell is from their hearts. Don't get me wrong. It is not a personal experience kind of book and it is not a book for anyone who like fluff instead of substance. But, if you are looking for a book about what has gone wrong in how we relate to one another, this is it. And if you love it too, be sure you tell people who you're quoting!

In Radical Hospitality I found a discussion of Benedictine monasticism and Christian spirituality that surprised me. I'm not exactly sure why but I expected this book to be a practical guide to implementing a monastic rule into one's life filled with specific suggestions and examples cross-indexed to specific rules from within the Benedictine tradition. That is not what this book is.

Instead, it is something much richer and more beautiful. What the book is centers around a discussion of the undergirding and overarching themes and ethos of monastic life and the hospitality that flows from it. Interwoven within these discussions are found wonderful stories that range from the humorous to the poignant taken from the lives of the authors and those they share their lives with. It is from within these elements that the application of these ideas within our lives is discussed in a way in which one ideas flows from and builds on the previous portion of the discussion.

I found my own thinking about how to practice hospitality deeply enriched by this book and I will return to it from time to time to reinforce what I have learned and to reflect on the themes woven throughout the work. I strongly recommend this book to anyone seeking to learn the practice of hospitality from within the practice of monasticism.

This is a must read for Lay Contemplatives who want a way to integrate their spiritual practices with "living ordinary life with extra-ordinary love."

"Radical Hospitality" was given to me by a friend who thought very highly of it, and she was right. This is one of those rare books that is really for almost anyone--highly readable, charming and soothing, deep and practical, and full of wisdom and love. It is not particularly theological--it is about lived Christianity. It would be an excellent choice to give as a gift, and it is certainly also a book one would buy for oneself for one's own growth.

As we awaken to the need to live our beliefs about love, to live generously, graciously, welcomingly, we are confronted by our own frightened hesitancy to be present to the needs of others. This book explores how we can reach out while necessarily preserving our own boundaries. "Radical Hospitality" teaches (with wonderful examples) how and why we should become more open and generous, and concludes very credibly that the essence is "listening," perhaps the most basic Benedictine value, used here in the sense of a kind of loving contemplative social presence. Everyone wants and needs to be truly listened to, the authors say, and especially at the times when it can be hardest to want to listen, when the one being listened to is in pain, angry, afraid. To feel heard is to feel real and loved and a little bit healed.

I found "Radical Hospitality" itself to be a beautiful experience of the authors' hospitality toward the reader. Even the design of the book itself is quite inviting.

I came across this delightful book a couple of years ago while searching for new music by this wonderful songwriter. Since then it has remained a consistent re-read whenever I start to feel overwhelmed by the day to day drudgery that sometimes affects us all. I've purchased this book for many friends and family because I think the meaning of it is so important, yet so simply told. Sadly, the book is now out of publication so it's difficult to locate. I will always treasure my signed copy.

On that note, I'll now explain why this book is so important to me.

Joshua wrote this quirky novel in the form of a handwritten journal that has been "discovered" by a traveler in a railway station, delivered to a publisher and published to share with the world. The journal has been kept by J., a young botanist, who is sent to the remote tropical island of Sakahara to research the quality of the land for a commercial mango plant. After he arrives he meets Katchumo and his life will never be the same. Katchumo appears out of nowhere on a regular basis with words of wisdom that J. must decipher. As the days go by, J. is keeping his journal of all the activity on the island and he's making observations about his funny new friend, as well. "'There are seventeen ways to eat a mango' he (Katchumo) said matter-of-factly." (at their first meeting.) As time goes by, J. realizes that Katchumo has been giving him the tools to live his life in his seventeen ways to eat a mango. Each way to eat a mango can be transferred into your everyday life and remind you of the riches you already have and the riches you can have. Not the material riches, but the riches of your heart and soul.

Although this book is written very simply it has truly influenced me like no other. My favorite is Way Number Seven. Or maybe Way Number Two. No, definitely Way Number Seventeen. Yeah, definitely Way Number Seventeen.

As a huge Joshua Kadison fan, I have to admit that I was curious about this book. Needless to say, it blew me away. There is so much advice given that applies to much more than just eating a mango. It's a perfect book to have around and read whenever you are doubting yourself or the world around you. His book is as beautiful as his music.

I enjoyed this short book, though I felt that I wanted more profound experiences to occur in this story of transformation. It is, however, a sweet and well-told tale of one man's reevaluation of his life and the assistance that a wise man gives him. I recommend this book for high school aged students and am planning on using it in my class! It has wonderfully fun illustrations and is extremely easy to read. It does also make the mouth water for mangoes, which is a lovely experience regardless!

Check out Joshua Kadison s new website: www.radiohumanity.com
NEW songs to download and lots of new information about a great singer/songwriter !!!(April2005)
Greetings,
GABIOLA :)
gabiola123@t-online.de

I bought this book not expecting it to have as deep as an impact as it did. However, I found it to be so profound in the most simple way. Reminding me of how complicated we make things...realizing that the point should be to get to the true essence of life and living. It is well worth any money spent. Its one of those books that you will want to read over and over again. It should be shared as often as possible. I believe that it is literature like this that may help create a circle of peace in this otherwise unpeaceful world.

Mark Scandrette's debut book is quite simply the best book Emergent has produced so far. There have been books about Emergent and books that have helped to influence Emergent, but this book is the best one that has come right out of the Emergent movement.

Soul Graffiti is not a theoretical exploration of the Emergent movement. Rather, it is a collection of stories and experiences that were birthed in the Emergent movement. I think this is an important distinction and is something that sets Scandrette's book apart from so many other "emerging church" books.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Mark does not just write about philosophy or ideals, he tells the stories of a Christian life that is actively embodying the urges of Jesus Christ. Soul Graffiti speaks to those who see the world from an artistic, mystical, and sacred perspective. He speaks to the urban injustices that are happening right next door and how God is an active participant in the lives of the low and forgotten. As a student, artist, and socially conscious Christian, this book is an encouragement to my aching that Jesus' teachings were not meant to only be read, but lived. For those looking to serve a gospel Jesus -- a Messiah who is daring, dirty, poetic, and inspired by compassion -- Mark gives you eyes to see the Teacher's footsteps in the abandoned places less traveled.

Mark's book is both practical and entertaining. His stories ground the ideas of God's Kingdom in real terms and show the adventure of a life lived in pursuit of God's heart for people. I've done a quick read-through, but I expect to go through the book again more slowly--with other people, I hope-- taking time to process his suggested topics for discussion and to implement his experiments in Kingdom living.

There is a word that you rarely hear nowadays - gentle. Our times seem to call out people & things that are bold, that are fierce, that can do things that get noticed. You can see this fierce world raging in urban streets, in popular media and (sadly) in many communities of faith.

Mark Scandrette is gentle - in a way that pulls people into his story and in the process a much bigger story. FMark, his wife Lisa and their kids Hailey, Noah or Isaiah live in the Mission District of San Francisco. To say they live there is not enough - they inhale all that this area has to offer, they are colorful portraits in the multi-color mural that is constantly being painted in the Mission. Mark has helped foster seven, a community of people, living in SF, aiming to "collaborate with the Creator in bringing about greater wholeness and love into the world". As a community they have committed to 7 vows: Creativity, Prayer, Community, Service, Obedience, Simplicity and Love.

Of Mark's many gifts, hospitality is a strong strand. His life/work seems like one grand, floating party - shifting from locale to locale, with celebrants weaving in and out. In the hospitality that the Scandrettes embody, drag queens sip red wine with Fuller grads, gallery owners bunk up in the small but warm Scandrette living room with recovering pastors. In the '30s & '40s in NYC, they'd call these floating crap games: dice games which is moved from place to place to evade the authorities. Mark uses art & conversation, rather than dice, but the vibe is the same: if this is not what heaven is like, it will do until we get there.

For me, much of the emerging church phenomenon fits a bus terminal metaphor - a passing point where all types of people wait for their next connection, finding safety & solace from fellow travellers. Some times the bus terminal is noisy & chaotic, other times it is as quiet as a convent. In my experience of this phenomenon, Mark mans the Traveller's Aid table, with his lovable grin & hipster hat or hair do. The table is usually a card table that Mark found discarded some where on Valencia, there are scraps of food from meals in progress, music and art scattered all about.

Images Mark wrote Soul Graffiti from his experiences at that rickety old table. It is brimming with stories of people who float in and out of life. It's rare that someone can capture their essence in a book - even more rare when at the end of 272 pages, you find that you've fallen deeper in love with that person, more in love with the you you've re-discovered, even more in love with God & Jesus and (even) church.

Soul Graffiti is a gentle book, one that I was sad to finish. Mark Scandrette is a gentle presence in my life & thousands of other folks - I can't wait for next walk we have & the next chapters he writes.

Emergent folks often talk about following Jesus or living in the way of Jesus, but rarely is this phrase followed by story after story of a life in process of Christo-transformation. If you want to hear some of these stories and be challenged by them then go get Mark Scandrette's new book `Soul Graffiti.' The book is organized into four parts that follow the initial teaching of Jesus in gospel of Mark and the though Scandrette does occasionally give direct theological reflection, the book itself is story driven and oh so compelling. When you get done you will either be fired up that someone in the First World is actually identifiably Christian, which gives you hope for yourself or be irritated that you read a book that ended up challenging you to the core. Or both. Scandrette is a luring story-teller which enables his family and community in San Fran to untame Jesus and the gospel for the reader. He mentions taking the risk of being offended by Jesus and his teachings and his stories reveal to us just how offended we need to get, but also how rewarding a life on the way of Jesus can be. If you want to be encouraged, challenged, and have a stack of super sweet stories to bring up next time some one asks what following Jesus looks like the get it, read it, and do it.

I read this book and I loved it. You have to read the book because it shows the power of children to make the World better.

School is for more than English, Math, and Science - it's for the intangibles too. "Spectacular Things Happen Along the Way: Lessons From an Urban Classroom" follows Brian Schultz as he teaches an inner city class something far more valuable than academics - determination and a feeling of self worth. An inspired and inspiring tale sure to give hope in the next generation ensues. "Spectacular Things Happen Along the Way: Lessons From an Urban Classroom" is highly recommended for community library education collections.

"Impressive..." or "Extraordinary..." may be a more appropriate title for this book. Schultz traces the both the history of a non-functional inner-city public school classroom all the way through the children's education achievements, and his personal growth along the way. Developing a democratic classroom with both the students and teacher learning from each other is truly amazing!

The book allows the reader to share, and understand, the successes and disappointments of both Schultz and his students. And throughout, the reader remains totally engaged.

The interaction between the students and politicians, the news media, and national organizations has demonstrated that we all have much to learn. Truly inspirational and extremely motivational. A must read.

One of the most important and challenging things we do in this country is educate our children. This becomes especially important when we think about how education can affect one's life. This book really highlighted for me the hope and possibilities for education in a time when all I hear about is that teachers are focused on standardized tests. Apparently, things can be different.

I must admit that at first I was resistant to some of the ideas presented early on in the book in terms of allowing the students' to guide the learning. I thought the students would naturally pick something that did not challenge them. But, boy was I wrong! It is almost as if my inclinations were the exact opposite. That is where this book has a extremely powerful hook. The students clearly went well beyond that simplicity. They clearly found something that mattered to them. They clearly became transformed in their learning.

While reading the book, I really want to know what happened next. The author does an excellent job of drawing the reader into the story. I felt like I was sitting in the dark classroom with my coat on as vividly described in the narrative. And, I found myself learning, questioning, and reflecting as I was reading. I especially learned what horrific conditions exist in some schools and better understood how that old mantra of picking oneself up by the bootstraps is not so easy when most things in some schools like the one in this book are stacked against you.

I strongly recommend reading this book. It is a page-turner. It will give you much to think about. I promise! What is especially great is that the students are front and center rather than it being all about the teacher. And, I believe that as the author states throughout the book, you will learn from the students in this story, just as he did.

Brian D. Schultz's "Spectacular Things Happen Along the Way: Lessons from an Urban Classroom" is a beautifully written, well-researched, and heartfelt account of one classroom's journey from stereotyped and ignored to empowered, challenged and brilliant. Schultz's narrative intelligently interweaves the students thoughts, hopes, disappointments, work, and words with his own reservations, thoughts, struggles, and triumphs. Furthermore, he manages to connect, explain, and reinforce their story with some of the greatest educational philosophy and research available (e.g. Dewey. Kozol, Freire, etc.).

What is this read about?
It's about Room 405. In 2004, Schultz was a 5th grade teacher at Chicago's Carr Community Academy. And in short, Schultz participates in a workshop called Project Citizen, which in turn inspires Schultz to do something new with Room 405. He asks the students to identify a problem that they care about/want to solve, and from there, a year-long curriculum was created by the students and for the students of Room 405.
What do the students decide upon?
Room 405 decides that they need a new school because their school is obviously falling apart, so they set-up an Action Plan that consists of the ways in which they are going to go about this undertaking (e.g. writing letters to legislators, interviewing the principal, emailing newspapers, etc.).
What happens after they decide on their problem and what they are going to do?
Are you serious? Just read the book!

As an educator myself, I want to point out that Schultz's Social Justice teaching, as exemplified in this book, should have all of the skeptics and naysayers believing because the proof was and is in the students and the results of what they learned, shared, achieved, and experienced together.

I was raised in a Lutheran church & school but now work at a non-denominational church. This very good book forced me to ask questions not only about my personal beliefs, but about the state of the Lutheran church today. No doubt this book will be hailed as genius by Lutheran's everywhere as Veith does a very good job at pointing out that Lutherans have it theologically right. Even after going to hear Veith speak I found myself amused at the notion that here was another Lutheran being 'right' talking to a bunch of other Lutherans about how right they were. I actualy agree with almost everything he says. My question for him is 'ok, now what?' Cause if all we're going to do is go to a potluck afterwards and sit around patting each other on the back about how 'right' we are, are we really living out the great commission? That being said, his chapter on vocation is phenomenal. All Christians should read this book.

Written by a lay person who frames the Lutheran theology and how it applies to our existence and our spirituality in an easy to understand manner.

Gene Edward Veith, Jr. is a professor of English at Concordia University (Mequon, Wisconsin) and Culture Editor at World Magazine. He is also a man who has had a rough go at finding an adequate Christian denomination. During his earlier years, he had been involved with American Evangelical church bodies, Liberal Protestant church bodies, and others...but finally became a faithful member of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. Veith writes this book in part to reflect on his own spiritual journey--to record what most attracted him to Lutheranism. He writes in part to explain what makes Lutheranism unique among the various Christian denominations. He writes in part to members of other Christian denominations because he thinks they can learn a lot from the Lutheran take on various spiritual/doctrinal/practical matters.

The end result, "The Spirituality of the Cross," is an excellent book that summarizes the unique theological outlook championed by confessional Lutheran Christians. This book does not deal with basic points of Christian doctrine (e.g. the Trinity, Christology), but rather deals with aspects of theology in which Lutherans neither "side" with Roman Catholics nor Eastern Orthodox nor Baptists/non-Denominationals nor liberal Episcopalians/Presbyterians/Methodists nor five-point Calvinists. These topics include:

Justification (neither free will nor predestination yet still faith alone by grace alone);

The Means of Grace (how God gives his gracious gift of saving faith to a person--through deceptively ordinary means);

The Theology of the Cross (more about how God showers the richest blessings on his people through deceptively ordinary means; why the cross is central to a Lutheran understanding of God; why Lutherans don't buy into the idea that great faith leads to earthly wealth; why bad things happen to people)

Vocation (why Lutheran pastors say, "I forgive you of all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit;" why a garbage man is just as honored and esteemed as a pastor or a CEO just as honored and esteemed as a housewife; how one should go about his calling/career; the Christian ideal of mutual dependence)

Living in Two Kingdoms (how a Christian is to balance the facts that he is a forgiven child of God with heavenly citizenship while living in a sinful world; why Christians can be proud of their vocation as judge, soldier, or public executioner)

Worship (that a Christian is served by God in worship, not vice versa; why we use the objective, emotionless historic liturgy instead of emotional, ever-changing praise-band forms of worship).

The book ends with a reprint from an article Veith wrote for Touchstone Magazine that introduces Lutheranism (60 million strong worldwide) to Catholic/Orthodox and Protestant readers.

In all, Veith does an excellent job of identifying some of the idiosyncrasies of the Lutheran understanding of the Christian faith, fully explains them (both theory and anecdotes), and explains the many merits of the view. This is my third time reading this book and Veith is more insightful every time he is read. Highly recommended to Lutherans as well as Catholics, Orthodox, Baptists, Presbyterians, etc., etc., etc.

Dr. Veith's ability to explain the basic tenets of Christian doctrine (Justification, Means of Grace, etc.)is pronounced in this small "gem of literature." He begins the book by opening himself up to the reader, telling them about his path through the religious arena. In the remaining chapters, he artfully explains the doctrine of Justification, the Means of Grace, the Theology of the Cross, Vocation, living in two kingdoms, and concludes with a summation of the theology espoused in the previous chapters.
Throughout, Veith explains the uniqueness of confessional Lutheranism amidst the doctrinal confusion of our modern age. The "spirituality of the cross" and its theology is about Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world. It is incarnational and not about what we do but what God has done for us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Modestly, the book shows how confessional (Biblical) Christians understand the Bible-as with Christ in the center stage-and thus live out their spirituality in a world plagued by sin and death. Secular(and most often "Christian") bookstores are infiltrated with bad theologies. I recommend this inexpensive book for anyone's theological library as a source for personal, intellectual, and theological enjoyment.

Veith has a wonderful clarity in his writing that is extremely helpful. I really liked the brevity of this book because it makes it very easy to recommend to people who aren't such strong readers. Read it and learn something, or re-learn something.

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (12/07)

My usual reaction to this kind of self-help book is somewhere along the lines of, "And exactly what does he/she thinks he/she knows about MY marriage?" More often than not, I either find them all too preachy or too simplistic to help me solve any particular problems I might have encountered in my personal life, so they end up in a book swap meeting or a book swap site. Ms. Bartlein's "Why Did I Marry You Anyway?" seemed to be different from the very start and after I read it, I immediately found a permanent place for it in my collection.

My attention was first caught by title - "Why Did I Marry You Anyway?" By the time I read the subtitle, "Overcoming the Myths That Hinder a Happy Marriage," I was definitely intrigued. If you are married and if you are totally honest with yourself, I bet there were times in your life when you asked yourself the exact same question. There are moments when we are not so sure that we made the right decision or simply moments when we look at our beloved partner and have to wonder where in the world - or even the outer realm - did this particular behavior came from and what did the person in front of us do with our normally sweet husband and wife.

Ms. Bartlein cleverly touches on most common problem areas in a marriage; such as money, sex, children, annoying personal habits, in-laws, lack of shared interests and more. Offering tools for recognition of issues as well as the resolution of them, each chapter includes real-life examples, absolutely hilarious quotes and thought-provoking myths that could potentially harm your relationship. Unlike most other books, the examples and patterns listed by Ms. Bartlein definitely made me pay attention and I had to admit that - oh wonder of wonders! - I was not perfect and that I was actually guilty of several quite distinct behavioral patterns. Which ones? Well, I am definitely a stamp collector - but if you want to find out what that means in terms of marriage, you'll have to get the book and read it for yourself. It is most probably NOT what you are imagining right now...

I found Barbara Bartlein's "Why Did I Marry You Anyway?" a very informative and down-to-Earth guide to improving a marriage; and as such I would highly recommend it to anybody who sincerely desires a happy relationship with their spouse. Just leave it on the table and see how quickly he - or she - will react to the title... Joking aside, this is truly a keeper; and a book that might well improve other aspects of your life besides your marriage.

I read this book in one day and laughed out loud hundreds of times. I enjoyed the author's comments about her husband and raising her kids. She is an experienced marriage counselor and she tells her observations in general, along with stories of clients who have asked her for help. She was very sincere and down to earth. Her advice is practical and the recommendations are ones that any man or woman can use in his or her marriage. I would recommend this book to anyone who has been married for a year or longer. Single people would not appreciate the jokes.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for quick tips to make marriage easier. It's a quick read, and really gets to the point quickly. The tips provided are realistic and easy to implement. The examples in the book are practical though not all may apply. It's simple to skip to parts that do apply to you. This author gives the impression that she is very open, honest and really wants her tips to help. I would buy this book again.

Married just under two months, I found myself laughing out loud in the doctor's office and waking my husband from his sleep to share the laughter of Charlie Oatmeal's latest tomfoolery. This book has two outstanding qualities: it's real and it's funny. Barbara Bartlein forces us to step down from our high horses and take a look in the mirror in a way that isn't threatening. She's genuine in admitting her own guilt and struggle every step of the way. Secondly, if she doesn't make you laugh, her husband certainly will. I felt a deep connection not only with Bartlein and her husband, but with all married couples. It has provoked countless discussions between my husband and I and inspired me to let things roll off my back and keep things in their proper perspective. It's easy to pick up and tough to set down- a book I'm certainly going to keep around for when the laundry pile is higher and the load a bit heavier. There's something in this book for everyone! You'll find yourself shaking your head often.

While on a long car trip, my husband notice me reading Barbara Barlein's Why Did I Marry You Anyway? To help pass the time, he suggested I read it aloud. I was amazed at his interest and his desire for me to stop and discuss passages with him. He even stated that he was getting a lot out of it. Many issues we had never discussed came to the fore and were patiently worked out. I was very impressed, not only with the material presented in this book, but in the fun way it was presented and the ease that it could be used as a basis for good discussion.