How to Shop for a Husband: A Consumer Guide to Getting a Great Buy on a Guy

While far from romantic, this common sense dating guide from NBC's Today show consumer reporter offers some charming-if simple-advice for spotting good deals on the dating market. For example, research on marital success indicates that ""shoppers"" should seek someone as similar in social status and background as possible; Lieberman makes this her Mirror-Image Rule (i.e, ""Be Sure to Use the Mirror in the Dressing Room""). A chapter on ""Good User Interface"" asserts that ""the killer app when it comes to guys is good communication."" Some may be turned off by the hyper-practical (some might say ""traditional"") tone: ""Marriers are guys who like to be married. They need a woman who will coordinate their social lives... their homes and just generally provide support."" Still, Lieberman provides enough hints and data to prove she's done her comparison shopping; a careful analysis of modern methods for mate-finding (online, group events, professional matchmakers, flying solo) is exceedingly helpful and demystifying; the shocker is that face-to-face speed dating is the best option for busy professionals interested in high-quality dating candidates. Though at times familiar, this rational dating primer makes a solid, sound and self-aware alternative to The Rules.