World Class Marriage: How To Create the Relationship You Always Wanted with the Partner You Already Have

Despite all the books, magazine articles, and talk shows full of advice for couples, many marriages still end in divorce. Yet Howell and Jones, relationship educators who work with the California Healthy Marriages Coalition and have been married for 30 years, believe the answers to making a relationship flourish already exist in groundbreaking research that is "largely buried in professional literature of which most couples are unaware." They've set out to change that by distilling their findings into "16 pillars" necessary to "elevate" a marriage to "world class" status. Organized as chapters, many of their pillars illuminate the self-destructive ruts couples can find themselves in. Others, such as "Using Power," "Listening," and "Knowing When to Surrender," outline steps that can be taken to heal a wounded psyche. "Growing Yourself" and "Changing Behaviors, not Your Partner" are especially helpful, as psychology has made abundantly clear that change, within a relationship or otherwise, usually only comes from within. Couples who are committed to improving their relationship will find this a supportive guide. (June)