The New Marriage: Transcending the Happily-Ever-After Myth

by Linda Miles and Robert Miles M.D.

Book by Linda Miles Ph.D., Robert Miles M.D. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1879384396
• ISBN13: 9781879384392
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Cypress House
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Scaling the Two Mountains of Marriage

The authors use the metaphor of two mountains to set forth an approach to building stronger more authentic relationships. They used amazing insight comparing our contemporary lifestyle and culture with the expectations of marriage in the American culture of fifty to seventy-five years ago. The authors skillfully used case examples to demonstrate the pitfalls a newly married couple face as they enter the marriage relationship. A combination of down-to-earth advice and supportive illustrations move the reader to work toward a loving commitment and an exclusive relationship. The author's provide the reader with a series of "transformation exercises". These include questions that are pointed, and thought provoking. Working through these questions help each individual of the partnership to discover self and move on to the "conditions of change" suggested by the authors. These exercises are therapeutic and enable the reader to integrate into self acceptance through self examination. The reader is guided through steps of turning set backs into new learning. As I took an inward look at myself, I recognized my insecurities, and unresolved identity issues. I was then able to establish a plan of action to take steps toward resolution of these issues. The poems from William Blake, Shakespeare, and other classic writers established a softer tone to the heavier issues introduced in the text of each chapter. The book is thoroughly researched and documented. An extensive bibliography and a comprehensive index are provided which become excellent tools for frequent future reference. This is a book that can be used by guidance counselors, and professional therapists. It is a book I can highly recommend for every engaged or married couple who want to "sustain a transcendent union", to those who want to build and strengthen the marriage experience.

A set of practical relationship tools

In The New Marriage: Transcending The Happily-Ever-After Myth, professional therapists and marriage counselors Linda and Robert Miles competently collaborate to provide couples in both traditional and non-traditional relations a kind of road map and a set of practical relationship tools to effectively make their relationship work by identifying and overcoming emotional problems and deal with the stresses of contemporary life afflicting all marital unions today. Innovative, practical, "user friendly", insightful, informative, and occasionally inspiring, The New Marriage is very highly recommended reading for anyone needing assistance in helping to rebuild or strengthen his or her relationship.

Readers from Florida

My husband and I loved this book! It gave us a whole new way of looking at our marriage and some really constructive advice for further strengthening our relationship. A lot of the personal anecdotes and examples really struck a resonant chord. Also, after reading this, we find we've done a lot more self-exploration to see how we can leave behind the blame and bring the very best in ourselves to our relationship. We recommend this book to ANY couple (including happily married ones!) who are interested in building a stronger relationship.

CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER!

My relationship was falling apart! A complete mess! A friend told me about this book and I thought it would be just like all the others. I was wrong! IT WAS THE ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS! It saved my relationship and saved my life. I truely thought my life was over until this masterpiece fell into my hands. My life has meaning and a purpose and I owe it all to "The New Marriage". I am so thankful. This is the best book I have ever read! Thank You!

Marriage - Worth the Effort

The New Marriage begins with the observation that between 50 and 60 percent of marriages in our society end in divorce. No telling how many more lead to violence, frustration, betrayal. or simple resignation. It goes on from this point to present an affirmation of the rewards available to couples who are willing to make an insightful commitment to each other and to their relationship. It then walks the reader - patiently, lovingly and revealingly - through the expectations and realities that follow the Happily-Ever-After Myth.Dr's Miles bring a unique perspective to the area of relationship counseling - they are married therepists (Ph.D.s in counseling and psychiatry)whose work reflects the living of a transformational relationship. Their observations ring true to anyone who has experienced an unsuccessful relationship, or who has learned (or is learning) how to make a relationship grow and survive.The authors communicate in a jargon-free, reader friendly style that makes the book easily accesable to all readers; but also with insightful observations that make it attractive to professionals in the field as a counseling tool. They make it clear that the journey from the Mountain of Innocence through the Valley of Disappointment to the Mountain of Transformation is not easy, but it is accessable to those who are commited to their relationships and are willing to develop the self-knowledge to be mature, accepting partners. They also offer valuable insights to readers who need to unload the psychological baggage they carry that may be preventing them from building strong, mature relationships.Since finding this book, I have shared it with several couples in the early stages of their relationships, as well as soon others who are well on their way.