What I Wish I'd Known Before I Got Married: Keepin' It Real

by Kay Coles James and John Littel

Book Overview

Building a marriage is a lifelong endeavor for both men and women. Most marriage books cover the three C's--communication, compromise, and consideration -- but fail to address many issues critical to a healthy relationship. Family advocate Kay James calls these the "things I wish I had known before I got married" advice on finances, sex, children, and dealing with the extended family. Noting that the apostle Paul exhorted older women not to inspire...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1576737810
• ISBN13: 9781576737811
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Really helpful

I loved this book. I thought it was a great Biblical view, not to be confused with fundamentalist. I learned some new things and gained some new perspective.

You Have to Read This Book!

Kay Coles James proves once again what a great author she is and also shows what an outstanding sense of humor she has. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

A Great Gift for the Bride

This book is written by a woman, for a woman reader, and it's designed to help you prepare for a major life-shock called 'getting married.' The author writes with clarity and a lot of wisdom; I found myself going back and re-reading several passages. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I've bought copies for friends as they prepared to get married or remarried. It's a great book for those who have never been married before, but it's good also if you've been through a divorce and you're trying to start over. Lauren Hodge Apple Valley, California I also highly recommend: Happily Remarried: Making Decisions Together * Blending Families Successfully * Building a Love That Will Last

The Things You Need To Know: Explored & Explained

Kay James is a powerful and gifted speaker, an accomplished and productive executive and consultant. In this book she explores the things people tend to learn "after" getting married, that would have been helpful to know "before." A great book for premarital counseling; a great gift for a bride-to-be or an engaged woman or couple. Practical, realistic, and down-to-earth, the book explores topics like managing money (or the lack of it), raising children, and dealing with difficult relatives --- exactly the kinds of issues that every married couple is likely to face at one time or another. Intended for women but useful for anyone, this easy-to-read book will help you think through the issues that affect satisfaction in marriage. By considering these things "before" marriage --- you'll be way ahead. Take the time to read this book and then buy several copies for friends. Dr. David & Lisa Frisbie The Center for Marriage & Family Studies Authors of Happily Remarried: *Making Decisions Together *Blending Families Successfully* Building a Love That Will Last

Focused on a Specific Type of Marriage Relationship

This book benefits most those who share the author's core values: Christianity, Chastity before Vows, and Communication. The book is clearly written with examples from her own (and others') life but will not benefit those that believe Sex=Recreational Activity without any other meaning. While I found it to be a written (and polished) version of Mrs. James' public speaking style, the book assumes you have a likely prospect to review its guidelines with. Once you do, this book is likely to start the type of dialog the author recommends as a core value to your marriage. Too, if you're already married, perhaps this book will assist you in your relationship.Overall, I found the book to be an easy read that pointed for more details to other (footnoted or listed) resources; this book is an introduction to important concepts, rather than a detailed manual.