Customer Reviews

The Commitment Chronicles: The Power of Staying Together

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With all of the educational information and credentials that the author list, I fully expected a medical text book type of reading from this book. The Commitment Chronicles: How to Stay Happily Married was recommended to me by a friend, and I thought, well, I will at least read one chapter. I am now glad I took her recommendation! It has been worth the time. I found that although Dr. McClary is fully qualified to write on the topic of marriage from a professional stand point, she has chosen to write it from a woman's and wife's viewpoint. I found this realisticly refreshing enough to apply to the "everyday living" that goes with being happily married. This is not some "up in the cloud, one day happy emotional, good feeling reviving" type of book. It gives useful and helpful hints that will assist you in finding a way to be happy yourself, then to work on talking-listening skills, and lastly intimacy revvers that are sure to keep you happily married.

Imagine morphing together Erma Bombeck's irreverent and funny writing style with Ann Landers advice-to-the-lovelorn and Dr. Phil's in-your-face attitude. Enter, stage left: Cheryl McClary, a PhD professor of Women's Health and holder of a juris doctor degree. This combination could be dangerous-even explosive! And it is. Warning: this book is not for the faint (or feint) of heart.

Cheryl (after reading this book, you'll feel like you're sitting in her kitchen, so we'll go with first-name basis) wrote this book for women, but a few men will find it valuable. Cheryl would suggest, however, that most men won't understand it because, you see, we're clueless. Yes, I'm a man. My wife gave me this book to read, suggesting that a book reviewer like me might find it interesting. Oh, boy.

To sum up Cheryl's philosophy, men are dolts. Well, she didn't use that particular word, but she employed a wide range of synonyms. We don't know how to be husbands, lovers, fathers, or any of those things. We have to be trained, led, managed by a capable woman. The capable part comes from knowing yourself-loving yourself-before looking outside. Women get so many messages that diminish them, self-love and strength is vital.
Every woman who has been birthed and raised by another woman, passing mental and psychological garbage down through the ages needs to read-no, absorb-this book. Put it under your pillow after bedtime reading and hope for osmosis.

Now, men. Read this book. Reality: It will only help a little bit in understanding your woman. You won't get as much out of it as a woman will, but if you pay attention you will cower and love with a slightly higher level of effectiveness. My wife insists that I am not clueless, though over dinner tonight she did admit that I used to be. Now I'm a step beyond clueless (and I am like the handsome, wonderful man Cheryl has been married to for 23 roller-coaster years): I'm trainable...and receptive. The rewards are worth the struggle. Be sure to check out page 149 for the list of lessons we can learn from the unconditional love of dogs.

There is no index. You don't need one. But you will find value from the bibliography and the rich collection of resources in the back of the book. This is a wonderful recovery guide for misguided women, confused men, and relationships that can benefit from the nurturing that comes from real love.

I ran across Mrs. McClary checking into my hotel a couple of weeks ago here in Chicago. She is a honest, down-to-earth person! She told me about this book she wrote and left me a copy to give to my mom. I thought I'll just skim through it to see what it was about. Being a 24 yr old male, I was shocked to be thrown into this book! Just the title and the bright pink cover would normally make me not look at it. BOY WAS I IN SHOCK! This book is incredible. It gives you insight on how YOU shape your relationships, not other people. We have all heard that we must love ourselves before we can love another. Such a true statement and this book will help you create "real love" and most important, happiness with one's self. I'm just amazed on how great this book really is. I read while on the train, and everday when I step out of that car, I feel like I'm walking on water. JUST A GREAT UPLIFTING book that helps you on your way. Men and women alike should read this. Our world would be a much better place. THANKS CHERYL! PS...It's on it's way to my mother! :)

Even if your relationships seem perfect, this book is a benefit to all its' readers, married, in love or looking for it. In a world where we see "help" being given through arrogant remarks, as does Dr. Phil, this book breathes sentiment and answers.

Cheryl really doesn't make any earth-shattering revelations in this book - it's all common sense on many levels. However, it's extraordinary when so many women (myself included) cannot see the forest for the trees when it comes to our own emotional well-being! We are bright, intelligent, capable women who are neglecting the most important person in our lives - ourselves! Does this make us selfish? NO. And *that* is what Cheryl is conveying here - loving yourself is not only appropriate, it is urgently important and essential to happy living!

Whether you are married, dating or even contemplating dating, women of ALL ages can benefit from the wisdom imparted by Cheryl.

The Commitment Chronicles is a delightful book. I have worked in the field of wholistic medicine for 25 years and I found Dr. McClary's book contained some very healthy information. Dr. McClary guides you through her personal journey to find real love in a humorous and entertaining way. I found myself smiling a lot and sometimes even chuckling. She has some wonderful ideas for everyone about how each of us can help guide our relationships. I loved the concept of loving YOU first and the rest will follow. Great book, Dr. McClary.

If you're a woman who has been looking for someone to confirm that you should always do only what makes you happy, while not worrying about anyone else, and believes that all men are idiots, this is the book for you!
This is the first time that the Flylady has ever steered me wrong. I ordered this book because of a positive comment from her website. I kept reading and reading thinking that it had to improve. It didn't. While there were a few good ideas in the book, I can recommend about 50 relationship books that would be more helpful for anyone.
If a man had written this book for men to read, and talked about women as the author talks about men, I'm sure Ms McClary would have been protesting. I personally found it insulting myself, and I am a woman.
Save your money.

This book makes a perfect gift to women of all ages. If I could have read a book like this one BEFORE I was married, I can guarantee you that I would not have struggled over the reasons why it was so difficult to be happy AND married at the same time. As I too learned over the years, happiness begins within. As Dr. Mcclary aptly puts it, "The only person you can control is yourself". By being in control of yourself, and understanding "real love", you are better equiped to make the neccessary changes to staying happily married. I am reading this book for myself, and it makes a perfect graduation gift for all females on your list. Even those of you that have been married a while, will find sparks to relight the fires to being committed to a happy marriage within the pages of this book.

I have to begin by saying that I come into this review with a bias. You see, I have known Cheryl for about 5 years where she was a regular guest at a local restaurant where I was a server and floor manager. I got to know her and thought she must really be a wonderful woman at home and at her job, whatever that was, because she always carried a radiant glow and independence about her that made me envious. Well...after several years of the restaurant business I decided to go back to college and finish my degree. Low and behold, I walk in to my women's health class and there is Cheryl. She was my professor! I was a little confused because I thought she had told me she had been to law school in Tennesee. Come to find out she had a many degrees under her belt and has done a little of everything. Her spirit and determination are remarkable. After getting to know Cheryl I found out she was writing a book. Thank God!!! Mainly because there were so many women who couldn't get into the class every semester and it was so important to get the information out there. So here it is, and it is wonderful! Commitment Chronicles is her life story and that above all else is something to behold. She is such an inspiration to anyone who knows her, particularly me becuase she is my personal mentor. I only hope that by reading her book you can feel her warm energy resonate your heart. The information in this book has changed the lives of so many people I know and has been useful in my own relationships with friends, family and especially my husband. She reminds you how to love your self. Once you do that your ability to love and be loved by others is limitless. PLEASE understand that if you could only be blessed enough to know her that the stories in this book are the same talks you would have at lunch with her. It is a MUST-HAVE for anyone!!! Thanks Cheryl for sharing your insight with the world!

Did you ever read a book that made you say, "Ah-ha!"? Cheryl McClary's Commitment Chronicles touched my heart and put me back in touch with myself, with what was really important in a sustainable relationship. A poignant, witty guide for women who want to create REAL relationships, Cheryl made me laugh, cry and get out my pencil. I adored her working pages and found myself re-examing those things that are vitally important to me and the man I love. I was given The Commitment Chronicles as a gift. I've passed it on to dozens of women, all of whom have thanked me profusely and we find ourselves sharing all the countless ways that Cheryl McClary's courage and wit have changed our lives. Several of us had the unique opportunity to see her speak. Her wit, charm, sexiness and sensitive words just proved that she's the real thing. Thank you Cheryl. You are an inspiration.