What Were You Thinking?: $600-Per-Hour Legal Advice on Relationships, Marriage & Divorce

High-profile divorce attorney Barondess' book on marriage and its loyal partner, divorce, is not for romantics. Don't want to get divorced? Don't get married. But, ""if you insist that the road down perceived marital bliss is a journey that you must embark upon,"" Barondess cautions, think of your future spouse as (what else?) a car, perhaps even a used car. Much of the advice here is nothing new (never marry for looks or money, make sure you and your spouse have similar values and life goals), but Barondess' reality checks-stories about private detectives, the ins and outs of spousal spying (and germane legal precedents), how to win custody battles-offer the from-the-hip dope normally found only in the confines of an attorney's office, though some of his suggestions are just as likely to end a relationship as they are to lay the groundwork for a successful one. (Having your intended investigated, and then sharing the report ""for a lively discussion"" might not go over too well.) Celebrity-penned essays conclude each of the 13 chapters, and though they're entertaining, some readers might be hesitant to take marriage advice from, say, Donald Trump or Gene Simmons. Barondess' informed and occasionally raucous examination of the institution is cheaper than consulting a divorce attorney or hiring a wedding caterer, and is well-worth a look before doing either.