The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert

This book was written with many tables, surveys, forms etc. They are all read aloud and in a non-logical order so they make no sense at all!

I bought this then had to buy the kindle version just so I could read the tables and use the forms. Ridiculous waste of money.

Content was good but I could have received that through the kindle version in a cheaper, more productive and less infuriating form.

It doesn't really work as an audio. Lots of exercises that he works through quickly and you need a hard copy to be able to do them. There's not much of his theory, more of his tools. If you are wanting tools its good if you are wanting theory, not so good...

I think the book is good with lots of practical advice. However one thing that I found annoying was the narration of lists. For example there are numerous self-assessment exercises in the book where you are supposed to choose from different options. For a written book it is easy to scan down and choose the correct option and move on. For an audio book narration of lists of options can put the listener to sleep! Apart from that one annoyance the book has solid information.

Great book. A wonderful reference in whatever stage of a relationship you are in.

This is a good book. I have read it before and have found it very useful, whether you are in a difficult period of your marraige or perfectly happy and want to keep it that way. Gottman describes the concepts he has developed over his years of observation and research, and also gives you practicle tools to both assess the state of your relationship in any one area and also to strengthen it.

My issue was with the narrator. He was so deadpan and monotone. I realise it is a piece of non-fiction but still? I don't want to spend several hours of my time listening to an uninteresting voice. It is a pity because I have heard John Gottman speak and he is very charismatic. I would have much prefered he read his own book.

The content was great, but you need the book for the checklists, About half is checklists.

interesting info with great ideas

no, he shouldn't read the lists the way he does.

hopefulness

Need to include a download of the lists. Also when reading the list, do it in such a way that it isn't annoying to listen. It is frustrating to listen to when each item of the list is followed with "........ acceptable, need to work on..., horrible." etc. Instead of reading the lists in a more creative way

This book was very heteronormative and did not discuss cultural considerations including religion, sexual identity, or orientation. Although these issues were not discussed, I think anyone could read this book and gain a lot of useful information about improving their relationship with their partner. This book could also be helpful for therapists looking for tools for therapy sessions.

Gottman attempted to make his book amusing, but the voice over actor sounded pompous. A few people I know have read this book as opposed to listening and found it to be a different experience.

N/A

My favorite part of the book were the activities. They helped couples have fun while doing the work.

No

Yes but you need the paper copy to work through it

Yes

It is worth the time but you have to be very committed to work through all the exercises

Buy the paper copy