Customer Reviews

Bridges to Intimacy: Making It Through Midlife with Your Spouse

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dr. Herron has written an excellent book. In Bridges to Intimacy, Bob has created a wealth of material that is based in real-life experiences. A man of deep faith (this shows through in his writing) he reflects on the spiritual strengths needed to persevere in this day and age in a marriage. I often recommend this book to couples, both those who are in trouble and those simply desiring to enrich their relationships. It is easy to read, filled with wisdom and practical advice. You will not be sorry you purchase this book and I would venture to bet that you will end up recommending it to a friend, or even purchasing another copy for them.

"Bridges to Intimacy" wonderfully addresses the very common, challenging struggle of one's mid-life marital experience. Dr. Herron's style of inserting so many relevant examples from his extensive counseling background and his own marital experience makes for both easy reading and relevance to the reader's life. He covers a wide range of important topics in practical and very constructive terms. To many, it will first be a book of hope; hope that the complex, seemingly irreversible struggles within a seasoned relationship can be turned around. And then the "how" follows. My wife and I have recommended or provided copies to several of our friends.

Robert Herron has provided mid-life married folk, and those who care about them, a fine path to follow through the complexities of our marriages at this stage of life. Having traveled this way himself, and being an experienced counselor to married couples, Herron charts both the wonderful possibilites of mid-life marriage, and the hazards we face. In twelve chapters he shows us the bridges available to anyone who cares about good marriage, showing how the tasks of mid-life in individuals and couples impact our marriages, for good and ill. He uses inviting imagery to frame the issues in each chapter and case examples of the troubles couples encounter, with their often successful outcomes. Good, practical suggestions point the way to a variety of bridges to intimacy. From mid-life search for identity, to renewed sexual intimacy, from dealing with affairs, to menopause and finances, Herron encourages couples honestly and helpfully. His book is not a syrupy "positive thinking" piece, nor a manual full of technical counseling jargon. Rather, it is written to be read by couples who want to make their marriages good. The author is a counselor in a Christian counseling practice, and he affirms the importance of spiritual life in marriage. But the book is not out to push religion; the book celebrates good marriage. Helpful reflective exercises are sprinkled throughout the book, and discussion questions and resources for mid-life couples to build on good marriages are found at the end of the book. It is worth reading, with your spouse!

As a survivor through midlife marriage and beyond, I found the author's practical advise and insight reassuring. From topics of budgets to spirituality, every couple can gain from his distilled experience in counseling. With the help of discussional questions, I can see this book helpful to a wide range of ages, including my own children of marriage age. I do not recall reading such keen insight 30 years ago as we approached marriage.

There are surprisingly few good guides for navigating the mid-life experience, and even fewer books to help couples through this sometimes turbulent period of life - Dr. Herron has written just such a book! Drawing on both his professional and personal experience he discusses the changes that occur inside people during these years and offers guidelines for how couples can not only survive, but thrive. The book is quite comprehensive and covers a variety of topics including sexuality, finances, etc. Rather than offering any false "quick fix", Dr. Herron outlines a process to help couples through the mid-life experience. I think this would be a helpful book even for people who are not in a relationship.

When I finished reading this book I immediately wanted to purchase several copies to share with friends and relatives! There are so many suggestions and insights to help couples learn to communicate with each other as their individual lives change throughout their lives. It's easy to read and understand and asks questions that are sure to stimulate discussion between husband and wife. Most important it's good to know that there is hope for solving those mid-life marital problems!

A wonderful surprise! I expected another sleeper. In a world of cliche filled marriage self help books, this is a standout. Herron doesn't stroll down the tired old paths of should and shouldn't. Instead he asks, "What does this problem say about where you and your partner are in your marriage?", and follows up with "This doesn't have to be insurmountable." At the point when most folks are ready to throw in the towel, Herron has a wonderful way of putting it in a more realistic and hope filled perspective.