Living Happily Ever After: Couples Talk about Lasting Love

by David Collier and Laurie Wagner

Book Overview

Following on the success of Chronicle Books' Mothers and Sons, Living Happily Ever After explores the lives of 30 American couples who have been together for 30 years or longer. In personal, intimate interviews and charming vintage and contemporary photographs, these pairs reveal their private experiences of couplehood. From Helma and Benno Schneider, who came together in a concentration camp and survived to marry and raise a family, to Del Martin...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811808653
• ISBN13: 9780811808651
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 2.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 1.0" x 1.0"

Customer Reviews

Candid, beautiful, inspiring!

When I saw the cover of this book in the bookstore, I thought, "Oh no, another syrupy sweet collection of essays on marriage." But when I had to wait a few minutes before the tears clouding my eyes finally cleared (after skimming the first story), I was hooked. These are stories of everyday people who speak quite candidly about what it takes to sustain a relationship through the years, and you can't help but fall in love with them! I was surprised by the candidness of many couples, and thankful that they were willing to share such personal facts. And I liked that the book covered all sorts of couples...this made it even more interesting. This lovely book would make an excellent anniversary, Valentine's Day, birthday, wedding or shower gift.

I loved this book

I loved this book. We received "Living Happily" as a wedding gift. My Husband and I found the stories inspiring. We read the book on our honeymoon. Since then we have given copies to friends both as aniversary and wedding gifts.

This book is darling

And as for the person who made the statements about the gay couples in the book, try doing a little research before making blanket statements. If staying together 30 years or more were normal for the general population, we wouldn't really need a book to inspire us and tell us how to do it, would we? Look around. There are many devoted couples, gay or straight, and there are many people of either persuasion who, shall we say, are seldom in such committed relationships. Orientation is moot. I think this book is great for ANY couple. I gave it to my boyfriend as a Valentine's Day present, and we're inspired by the longevity of the couples in this book. Everyone should have this book.

I loved this book. Moving and inspirational.

Deeply moving stories about couples that have lived through the good and the naturally difficult times that all marriages go through. My wife and I bonded over the book as we read the stories out loud before we went to bed at night. The book alternately made us laugh and cry. I would recommend this book to anyone, but in particular to newly weds. It should be required reading for any couple getting married today. A great wedding or anniversary gift.

from accidental marriage to lasting harmony and commitment

There's a bit of a surprise here... many if not most of the couples in the book got together under less than storybook circumstances. Pregnant off the first date, you were the only one around so I married you, etc. Yet they all made it together, and to read the descriptions they all have relationships the rest of us would die for. This book is the strongest testimonial to the benefits of getting a positive attitude and making it work that I have ever read. A real heart warmer!