just read the fourth section

to get the most out of this book, just listen to the fourth section. I think that section is solid, the build up in the history and transformation of marriage in the us over time is not worth the time.

11 people found this helpful

Informative, thoughtful and with a bit of humor

It was surprisingly helpful for me to have context around the history and expectations of the marriage relationship. Having only experienced the perception of marriage by way of my own upbringing, I found the author's approach enlightening, thoughtful, and genuinely helpful. I benefitted from a series of 'epiphanies' in listening to the findings of fundamental research regarding common social challenges to lifelong marriage. Of biggest help to me was the realization of how much contemporary couples can place on our spouse for personal fulfillment. Good stuff. I would never have READ this entire book, as the research recitation was sometimes tedious, but it was an easy and interesting listen.

9 people found this helpful

Too theoretical, too academic

This book is way too theoretical, way too academic, to server the purpose I bought it for.
Sure, it names a few tips and reviews all kinds of relationship improvement techniques. But it's more like a "guide to all the methods people use in 21st century marriages", with much more discussion on history and research results than actual practices and ideas that may help readers.
For those skeptics who wouldn't dare go all-in on their marriage without 5 scientific papers proving it's good for your health, this book may be beneficial, because it handles skepticism very methodically. But for the rest of us, who just want some creative and interesting ideas on how to improve their relationship, the more useful voice would be of a therapist or a consultant rather than a theoretical researcher.

3 people found this helpful

The only part I found useful were the very lat chapters

The narrator was ok, but I did not like the fact that more than half of the book is spent on the history of marriage. I understand wanting to provide the readers with context, but most people that buy these books are looking for practical advice.

3 people found this helpful

Exactly the Cerebral Investigation I Wanted

I highly recommend "The All or Nothing Marriage" for those who are either intellectually curious about the norms of marriage, the validities of such norms, the direction marriage is taking in our culture, where it's come from in the past, why things are so hard, or are otherwise questioning the fulfillment of their marriage. Very interesting book with lots to think about and practical advice of sorts.

2 people found this helpful

skip to chapter 9

first 8 chapters of this book are repetitive and boring. If you're looking to improve your relationship with your spouse, partner, and or self as an independent person, just skip to chapter 9 and listen to the end

2 people found this helpful

Good book to acquire perspective

Very informative, loved that it is practical and gives examples about situations so that you can not only understand the concept, but learn how to recognize it!.

1 person found this helpful

Fantastic thought provoking book!

I think most married people in a lot of single people could benefit from this book.

Revolutionary and practical advice

I really enjoyed this book. Soo much wisdom and perspective to gain realistic expectations of our marriages. This advice will stick with me forever!

no new insights

The book solidified a lot of what i already knew, it was a good refresher