Committed: Men Tell Stories of Love, Commitment, and Marriage [Hardcover]

Chris Knutsen (Editor), David Kuhn (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 23, 2004

A deeply personal collection of essays and stories that busts open one of the most enduring mysteries between the sexes-what makes a man commit?-as revealed by the finest male authors of our time.

What makes a man want to leave the single life behind? Why do some married men stay the course, while others stray? In this gathering of compelling contemporary voices, the answers come as men speak intimately about the struggles-and joys-of finding and remaining in a committed relationship. Whether it's a confession of sexual misconduct, or of the poker like bluffs that create the happy illusion of monogamy; whether it's Rick Moody on the surprising way he changed his position on marriage, or David Sedaris on how not to let your partner grow overly familiar; or Geoff Dyer, John Seabrook, James McManus, and many others on what defines (and tests) the journey to lasting love, these celebrated authors explore aspects of themselves-bravely, humorously, profoundly-that they've never before revealed. Together, they provide essential wisdom for men and women alike on the ritual of mating, and rare insight into the hearts and minds of men who commit.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Committed gives women a rare insight into what the other half really thinks.”

(Candace Bushnell )

“For women frustrated by their husbands or boyfriends, or by the plethora of guides that claim to decipher the male psyche, this anthology offers a fresh perspective.”

(Publishers Weekly )

“Funny, sometimes even profound, these authors offer an amusing road map to that strange and winding road from bachelorhood to marriage.”

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA; First edition (December 23, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 158234499X
• ISBN-13: 978-1582344997
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,589,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful anthology of men who love and stay faithful, July 25, 2005

By 

R.J. Corby (Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Committed: Men Tell Stories of Love, Commitment, and Marriage (Hardcover)

I received this book as a gift from my fiancee-to-be, and I can't think of reading I've enjoyed more this year. Committed is a wonderful collection of testimonials from men about how they fell in love, and how they have stayed in love, in some cases for decades. In this book, 17 men let you in on their journeys of marriage, parenthood, fidelity and dealing with death in the family. Anyone, man or woman, who believes all men cheat, stray and lack the ability to stay monogamous should read this book and rejoice. Committed is proof positive that there are men who truly love their wives, and through the ups and downs of marriage, work hard at making their relationships last.

This was terrific reading and a great gift I will TREASURE forever. Highly recommended, especially for a man who is on the brink of getting engaged, as I am.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Goes Deep into Humor and Pathos, November 5, 2006

By 

Myra Clarke (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Committed: Men Tell Stories of Love, Commitment, and Marriage (Hardcover)

Seventeen stories document men's search for, discovery of, and commitment to lasting love. The best reveal personal experiences that provide insight into particular aspects of the human heart. Standouts include Rick Moody's "Companion Species," about his emotional evolution from lonely cat-hater to happily married cat lover; David Sedaris's "Old Faithful," a hilarious battle with a boil; and Colin Harrison's moving "Incision," recounting his father's illness and death. The book is a poignant reminder that indeed, men are from Earth (not Mars), and love is both mysterious and necessary.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Uncommitted, January 2, 2007

By 

Stone Cold Nuts (Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Committed: Men Tell Stories of Love, Commitment, and Marriage (Paperback)

I'd have to say the stories are very uneven in their quality and approach. There's a variety of styles and some of the contributions are just downright boring. McManus, Seabrook, and a couple of others are the exception. Strangely, most of the seventeen authors all seem to be Jewish or Irish, but perhaps that just reflects the "big city" flavor that permeates almost all of the stories; that, and the fact that most take place in the 60s and 70s. I'm not so sure we can draw any significant conclusions in this decade from men whose experiences have Vietnam, Nixon, and the drug culture as a backdrop, and the authors themselves are not exactly household names. Spend you money elsewhere.