health/medicine

Item Description

The definitive book for the general reader on marriage, from the bestselling author of Unfinished Business, who describes what really goes on in a marriage; why one chooses a certain partner, what systems get set up, and what the primary sources of conflict are. 

“Every marriage contains a story, and it begins long before the wedding, Maggie Scarf tells us in her ambitious, thought-provoking . . . ultimately compelling study. . . . Read it and feel consoled.”  –USA Today

“Listen to Maggie Scarf . . . and you’ll come away thinking that yes, marriage can be tough, living long-term with another person is one of the greatest challenges there is, but it’s well worth the effort.” –Chicago Tribune

“Provocative . . . Scarf writes lucidly and convincingly.” –The Washington Post Book World

"In this probing, widely researched and literate study on the nature of intimacy, Scarf (Unfinished Business, etc.) explores the reasons for the selection of mates and for the success or failure of contemporary marriages. She stresses the importance of family and other past influences, which she traces by means of a genogram, a kind of "emotional family tree." She identifies phases of marriage from idealization and disenchantment through those dominated by career-building and child-rearing to the rediscovery of each other in mature years. These phases require adaptive change on the part of both partners, however most pairs, Scarf maintains, are not aware of the nature of the power struggle for emotional dominance in the fields of sex, career, finances, child-rearing, etc., and the intimacy/autonomy conflict over which many relationships founder. The author's clear-headed, constructive advice about marital problems, including guidance on sexual adjustments, should be of help to couples at all stages." -Publishers Weekly

Condition: Used - goood.

Published 1987.  428 pages. 9-1/2" x 6-1/2"  Illustrated. 

Item Special Note

Sales tax applies.

For the cheapest and quickest access to your books, plan to pick them up in Guerneville shortly after the sale.  (Times and location will be sent to book buyers.)

For those living in Sonoma County, CA, we offer personal contact-free delivery right to your door for only $10 (all going to Stewards). Instructions for delivery will be provided in the purchase confirmation email.

If arrangements for pick-up or delivery are not set up, books will be mailed to the address provided, and shipping costs will be charged.  If no address has been provided, the sale will be void in 30 days, the winner may treat their purchase as a tax-deductible donation to Stewards, and the book will be resold at a future event.