Knowing Me, Knowing You: A Multiple-Choice Quiz for Engaged Couples [Paperback]

Carol Brethour Stephens (Author), Malcolm B. Stephens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2003

Readers of this innovative two-book set can get their marriage off to a terrific start by Knowing Me, Knowing You. By thoroughly knowing one another--each other's beliefs, pet peeves, and expectations about the endless details regarding family, friends, children, finances, careers, etc.--a couple can discover areas of potential conflict and can then discuss them proactively.

This may sound intimidating, but this two-book set makes it easy and fun because the issues are laid out in a multiple-choice quiz. There are no essays and no trick questions--just common sense issues set in a multiple-choice format. All each partner has to do is to check the box that applies to him/her. It's so easy even those who normally avoid counseling will do it!

There are two books--one for men and one for women. In 18 chapters, each comprehensive quiz covers topics from faith to family to finances--and includes many points most couples don't think to discuss. The man and woman complete their quizzes independently, and then compare answers to find potential problem areas, which they can then discuss. This easy-to-use book highlights areas where real-life couples clash. When marriage-busting stressors such as poor health or financial difficulties arrive, the couple will be better equipped to deal with the problems. Through the discussions prompted by this book, they will have discovered and developed common values and strategies that will help them to cope with life’s inevitable challenges with unity.

(Both books in the shrink-wrapped set are included for the indicated price.)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... a useful tool to begin a life-long conversation about how to live, grow and view the world together." -- Pastor David Pfrimmer, Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary

"...a refreshingly new approach to dialogue between engaged couples. This dialogue helps to illuminate a couple's unspoken expectations..." -- Dr. Don Morgenson, Ph.D. Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London

"The quiz was a lot of fun! My boyfriend and I talked about things we may not have otherwise." -- Kristine Blades, Reader (Age 23)

[O]lder people, who know ... what life holds in store ... are buying it as a helpful engagement present for someone younger. -- Examiner, Osprey Media, May 24, 2003

About the Author

Carol Brethour Stephens

Carol Brethour Stephens has over twenty years of experience as a professional writer. A specialist in adult education, she has written in the fields of social work, sociology and psychology. She spent six years as a scriptwriter for a series of university-level for-credit television courses. The documentary style of these programs afforded her the opportunity to interview nationally renowned experts in many fields, and question distinguished individuals including Henry Kissinger.

Since then, as a freelance writer, she has written for national bridal magazines giving advice on such topics as how to involve the groom in the wedding, and how to write your wedding vows. In addition, she has written articles for many other publications and the script for a travel documentary that was broadcast on PBS.

With diverse clients including universities, colleges, museums, hospitals, libraries, corporations and government agencies, Carol has always been drawn to helping and educating people through her writing. She has brought this ability and the broad-based knowledge derived from her experience (not to mention her marriage) to Knowing Me, Knowing You.

Malcolm B. Stephens

Malcolm B. Stephens is a Professional Engineer and spends most of his days designing robot-based welding equipment for car factories. He also enjoys reading, writing and watching Junkyard Wars. As a university student, he received the Honeywell Futurist Essayist Award. His writing has since appeared in Today’s Seniors and he has had several humorous anecdotes published in Reader’s Digest. He has collaborated with Carol on her corporate and government writing and has recently published a computer software book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Llumina Press (March 2003)
• ISBN-10: 1932303340
• ISBN-13: 978-1932303346
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,571,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knowing Me Knowing You, May 26, 2003

By 

Mark Middleton (Stouffville, ON, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knowing Me, Knowing You: A Multiple-Choice Quiz for Engaged Couples (Paperback)

As a former Pastor and now the President of a global ministry, I was delighted to discover Knowing Me, Knowing You. This will be an invaluable resource for all of us who continue to do pre and post marital counselling. I will definitely recommend it to my peer group as a "must have".

Carol and Malcom have identified the key areas of potential marital conflict and articulated a series of questions which will help any couple considering marriage uncover their differences and establish a positive atmosphere in which the couple can succeed.

One of the glossed over phrases in the traditional marriage ceremony is "marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully." The frequency with which couples break their marriage vows shows clearly that the joy and delight of falling in love and planning a wedding pushed aside the need of discovering each other just as seriously.

In today's self help and how to society, this delightful book will guide the couple through the discovery process.

For those of us already married, it is also a way to keep discovering each other through the various stages of marriage and individual growth. My wife and I plan to go through the questions together on a regular basis.

I also appreciated the caution of the authours in that just taking a quiz does not guarantee marital success. The last line of the conclusion sums it up best: "May the work you put into your marriage lead to a lifetime of love." Just taking a quiz does not guarantee marital success. It will, however, help you discover the "make or break issues" which must be resolved prior to marriage.

Thank you, Carol and Malcom, for giving us a tool to help preserve one of the most valuable entities of any society, strong and healthy marriages.

Mark D. Middleton
President, GlobalTalk

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for married couples too!, May 8, 2003

By 

Sandra Brereton - See all my reviews

This review is from: Knowing Me, Knowing You: A Multiple-Choice Quiz for Engaged Couples (Paperback)

After being married for nine years, I thought I knew everything about my husband. However, after reading this book and taking the quiz myself I found out things about my husband that were very enlightening. The discussion surrounding some of these issues helped us grow closer and we now have a deeper and renewed understanding of one another. It's a great book for us married couples too!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great way to start important discussions, March 22, 2006

By 

Kate K (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Knowing Me, Knowing You: A Multiple-Choice Quiz for Engaged Couples (Paperback)

My husband and I used this last year in the six-month period before we married. We are both open people, and still were amazed at the depths of our discussions that resulted from these quizzes. We would never have thought to talk about so many of these things-many of them "little," but significant nonetheless.

One little example that we always joke about: I found that he thinks the driveway should shoveled only when it becomes hazardous, I expect that it should be shoveled after the first tiny bit of snow (I was raised this way!). If we hadn't talked about it, when this winter rolled around, I would have just assumed he was lazy or something, instead of realizing that frequent shovelling is not a value he was brought up with!

Also, we were in a long-distance relationship for most of our engagement, and we really enjoyed doing these then calling each other and reviewing our results!