Gardner, marriage and family counselor and author of Sacred Sex
, provides the prescription for getting out of loneliness and into genuine relationship: "the God-given answer to loneliness is love. God calls us to love Him. He calls us to love our neighbor." Gardner demands that readers recognize that friends are vital for their emotional and even physical health, challenging them to reach out and realize that giving to others will often meet their own needs. He focuses on changes needed in the lives of those trying to get out of their lonely state: they should stop being artificial, truly love God, slow down, deal with their anger, turn off the TV, forgo casual sex, put aside selfishness and love others. All of these lessons are backed up by stories from Gardner's extensive counseling experience. Throughout the book, Gardner plays the role of coach rather than companion; he teaches largely out of what he has studied and observed rather than what he has experienced. He spends a good deal of time on topics that seem to be only tangentially related—like helping the homeless—and could provide additional practical steps in several chapters. Still, his advice is sound, and his counseling experience makes him an excellent coach. (Oct. 19)
