Customer Reviews
Trouble talking, don't understand each other? Get this book! - By: Both of us, 30 Apr 2008 
This is a great book & has helped my wife & I come back from the brink. It is old (originlly 1990s I think but this version is 2001) & American but this does not detract from the book at alll; the points it raises are timeless & not specific to any national trait! Its main point is that most issues in a marriage can be traced back to bad communication. Although you talk together, you might not be able to hear or understand or even talk effectively or, as with us, alll three! This sounds odd because I can talk perfectly well with my friends, but the book explains why this can alll go wrong with the most valuable, important & loved person in your life - your partner. Chapter titles like "When what you heard isn't what I said", "Talking Safely without Fighting" & "Playing together: How to succeed in fun" alll help explain. The book then presents ways to work round them; simple techniques to help break the vicious circles that can occur. Using these techniques you can start to recover some trust, respect, love, support & alll those things you need to then be able to sort things out long term. For Jackie & I this was exactly what we needed. We found the book very readable, not condescending at alll, & although it is a tad sugary in places these were very easy to over look. For us, it's been a marriage saver & far better than any counselling services that we have used in the past, I wish we had heard about it years ago. So, if you both are committed to fighting to save the marriage rather than fighting each other to get out of the marriage, then spend the money on the book & not solicitors.
An EXCELLENT source for clinicians or individuals! - By: , 09 Jun 1998 The authors' presentation of the PREP approach is concise & meaningful for clinicians, therapists, & individuals alike who are seeking a model for conflict resolution & enrichment of ANY intimate relationship. Although written in the context of heterosexual marriage, the same principles obviously apply to homosexual & non-traditional unions. Highly recommended from a doctoral level clinician who has found this model to work in both straight & gay/lesbian relationships.
One of the best relationship books on the market for couples - By: , 05 Mar 1998 I have been trained by Markman, Stanley & Blumberg in the PREP program. Since the training, my spouse & I have worked with couples using their techniques & I have delivered numerous short presentations on the PREP program. The book is an excellent introduction to the process & if followed carefully, it can enrich the relationship of engaged couples & improve any marriage. I highly recommend it. Dr. M. Jean Turner, Associate Professor Family Studies Dr. William C. Bailey, Associate Professor Family Studies--both of the U. of Arkansas
