World Class Marriage

How to Create the Relationship You Always Wanted with the Partner You Already Have

By (author) Patty Howell, Ralph Jones

Publication date:

16 May 2010

Length of book:

150 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781442203259

Millions of American marriages have failed or will fail, resulting in what the authors see as a social epidemic that brings devastating consequences to the couple, their children, and to the economic and social fabric of society. Building upon their notion of the 16 "pillars" that promote a healthy and rewarding marriage, the authors present a structure for relationship success that is built upon groundbreaking information about what does and does not work in relationships and the conditions that promote growth and intimacy. This approach offers couples a powerful toolbox for eliminating behaviors that damage their relationship and pumping up the behaviors that promote love, caring, closeness and cooperation. World Class Marriage is a book all couples who want to see their marriages last should read and share.

1 Acknowledgments
2 Definition of a World Class Marriage
3 Introduction
4 The Nature of Marriage
5 The Structure of a World Class Marriage
6 Diagram of the Structure
7 Part One: The Sixteen Pillars of a World Class Marriage
8 1. Setting Goals
9 2. Avoiding Blame
10 3. Understanding the Nature of Behavior
11 4. Using Power Listening
12 5. Giving up "Tit for Tat"
13 6. Assuming Self-Responsibility
14 7. Avoiding Cool Talk
15 8. Changing Behaviors, Not Your Partner
16 9. Knowing When to Surrender
17 10. Giving Caring the Way It Matters
18 11. Handling Hot Topics
19 12. Resolving Conflicts and Disagreements
20 13. Giving Apology and Forgiveness
21 14. Growing Yourself
22 15. Forging a Bond
23 16. Nurturing the Honeymoon
24 Part Two: Applying the Pillars
25 Living Together
26 Gay/Lesbian Relationships
27 Kids and the Relationship
28 Getting Men to Communicate
29 Being Yourself in the Relationship
30 Concluding Thoughts
31 Endnotes
32 Bibliography
33 Workshops
34 About the Authors
35 International Editions

World Class Marriage is a great book. It's fun and easy to read, but so rich with valuable nuggets. I've found myself going back into the book many times. Highly recommended.