The 8 Essential Traits of Couples Who Thrive [Paperback]

Susan Page (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 1997

Formerly titled Now That I'm Married, Why Isn't Everything Perfect?, this wise and useful guide has gained extraordinary critical acclaim from the foremost experts in the relationship field, and has helped thousands of couples achieve more fulfilling relationships. Drawing on more than twenty years of couples' counseling experience, Dr. Susan Page explains the eight essential traits of a thriving marriage:

Desire, belief, and commitment
Goodwill
Clear values
Boundaries
Perspective
Relationship-enhancing communication
Intimacy
Pleasure

This helpful, optimistic guide also reveals how husbands and wives can escape the crushing burden of unrealistic expectations that many people bring to a marriage, and what attitudes, techniques, and day-to-day pleasures will forge a happy, enduring relationship. With clarity, warmth and common sense to complement her profound insight, Susan Page delivers an extraordinary work for anyone who's in a relationship--and anyone who wants to be.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Formerly titled Now That I'm Married, Why Isn't Everything Perfect?, this wise and useful guide has gained extraordinary critical acclaim from the foremost experts in the relationship field, and has helped thousands of couples achieve more fulfilling relationships. Drawing on more than twenty years of couples' counseling experience, Dr. Susan Page explains the eight essential traits of a thriving marriage:

Desire, belief, and commitment
Goodwill
Clear values
Boundaries
Perspective
Relationship-enhancing communication
Intimacy
Pleasure

This helpful, optimistic guide also reveals how husbands and wives can escape the crushing burden of unrealistic expectations that many people bring to a marriage, and what attitudes, techniques, and day-to-day pleasures will forge a happy, enduring relationship. With clarity, warmth and common sense to complement her profound insight, Susan Page delivers an extraordinary work for anyone who's in a relationship--and anyone who wants to be.

From the Inside Flap

Formerly titled Now That I'm Married, Why Isn't Everything Perfect?, this wise and useful guide has gained extraordinary critical acclaim from the foremost experts in the relationship field, and has helped thousands of couples achieve more fulfilling relationships. Drawing on more than twenty years of couples' counseling experience, Dr. Susan Page explains the eight essential traits of a thriving marriage:

Desire, belief, and commitment
Goodwill
Clear values
Boundaries
Perspective
Relationship-enhancing communication
Intimacy
Pleasure

This helpful, optimistic guide also reveals how husbands and wives can escape the crushing burden of unrealistic expectations that many people bring to a marriage, and what attitudes, techniques, and day-to-day pleasures will forge a happy, enduring relationship. With clarity, warmth and common sense to complement her profound insight, Susan Page delivers an extraordinary work for anyone who's in a relationship--and anyone who wants to be.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Dell (January 2, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440507820
• ISBN-13: 978-0440507826
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #382,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Repeat Oprah guest Susan Page has been conducting workshops for both singles and couples, nationally and internationally since 1980. She has keynoted dozens of relationship conventions and was invited to share the platform with John Gray at his recent Masonic Auditorium event in San Francisco. Her international speaking and media career has taken her to twenty-six states, Canada, Korea, Australia, and Mexico. She is a past chapter president of the National Speakers Association.
Page was a consultant to writer/director Gary Goldberg on the movie Must Love Dogs, released by Warner Pictures in August of 2005.

A veteran of national television and radio, Susan Page has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, CNN, NPR, Donahue, Geraldo, Leeza, Montel Williams, Sonya Live, The Diane Rehm Show plus dozens of other radio and TV shows across the country.
Excerpts of Susan's works have appeared or been reviewed in People Magazine, USA Today, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Glamour, Self, New Woman, McCall's, Woman, Marriage and scores of other publications.
Susan Page is the author of four books about relationships plus a publishing guide for writers.

Her first book, If I'm So Wonderful, Why Am I Still Single? has been translated into twenty foreign languages. It was the number one bestseller in Russia in 1994. Page's books have sold more than a million copies in the U.S. and worldwide.

Susan Page is a graduate of Oberlin College and holds a Master of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary. She began her career as campus minister at Washington University in St. Louis and at Columbia University in New York. Later, she served as Director of Women's Programs at the University of California, Berkeley, where she helped found the nation's first university-based human sexuality program.
When she is not conducting workshops in the United States, Susan Page lives in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico with her husband of twenty-five years.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lighten up and have fun in your marriage, January 22, 2009

By 

Nadine (Emeryville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The 8 Essential Traits of Couples Who Thrive (Paperback)

I first read this book about 6 years ago, and it reinforced my desire to have a great marriage. I am serious about not settling for an almost good relationship and now my spouse thinks the same way. His first marriage ended after years of bitter conflict so he was not predisposed to thinking marriage was going to be great. We read this book together and talked about the ideas before we married.

There are many concepts and ideas in this book, but one in particular is helpful for us: if one person isn't ready to discuss something we agree to a time and place later in the week when we will discuss the issue fully. This strategy allows both people to think about the issue and generally we actually end up agreeing by the "talk time."

15 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guidance for a marriage beyond average, November 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The 8 Essential Traits of Couples Who Thrive (Paperback)

This book has been wonderful for my fiance and me. It has inspired us to make our relationship what we always dreamed it could be but were told was impossible. This is a very affirming book for couples who would like to stay in love.

4 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great relationship development tool!, July 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The 8 Essential Traits of Couples Who Thrive (Paperback)

I bought my first copy of this book 6 years ago, and have purchased dozens of replacement and gift copies since then. It's a wonderful reference for anyone in any situation... it's the one relationship book I've shared that men really appreciate.