Customer Reviews

Letters to Karen (Abingdon Classics)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My Bible teacher gave us an assignment to read one of the books that he recommended for this quarter. I choose "Letters to Karen" because it looked like an easy book to read. It interested me that it was a collection of letters about a married life that a father wrote to his daughter. I was told that it might be too old and boring, but actually I found it very absorbing as I read it. The Dad in the letters talks to his daughter very respectably with deep thoughts. He talks about many different struggles incidental to a married couple and gives good examples based on his experiences. Each of chapters taught me some new lessons that I would have never even thought about if somebody did not tell me. Of course, I am not going to be married to someone right now, but those little tips were good to know because I probably will be married someday. I wish I could get some advice like them from my own Dad, but I am from a broken home, and I know that I probably will not. At least now I know where to find some guidance for marriage if I needed some. I think, if there is someone like me, it would be nice for them to read this book. I also want to encourage others who are not from a home like mine just because it might be helpful for them too!

This is wonderful, witty, practical advice on how to keep love alive. For years, it has been my favorite gift to give to engaged couples...along with its companion, "Letters to Philip." Charlie Shedd is a master on building healthy, loving relationships in a world bent on destroying them. I read everything he writes!

In the book, "Letters to Karen," the author Charlie W. Shedd gave some basic guidelines for a sucessful marriage. The points in which he made were very good and did not appear to be unreasonable. There are many books which appear to be strick and unrealistic, their ideas for a sucessful mariage seem to be impossible to acheive, but "Letters to Karen" are not. For example, in the chapter "Emphasis on Good Things," Shedd emhpasises how we should concentrate on the positive "gradually cancling out the bad and raising up the good." One reason that I like the book "Letters to Karen" so much is because it was written from a christan's point of view. Charlie W. Shed is a pasture who has experience in the areas of marriage for he has helped counsel other married couples and also been himself, this book isn't written from an unexperienced person but a person who has been through many married situations and troubles of his own and of others. In "Letters to Karen" is written by the love of a father to his daughter, this gives it a very heart warming feeling. So if you are interested looking at some advice on marriage from a christian view point I highly recommend reading "Letters to Karen."

Letters to Karen was a wonderful book. I an not getting married any time soon, but the more I read about Karen the more she reminded me of me. She,like myself, have dated a lot of guys and got board very easily. Her father started writting her letter when she announced her engagment. Her father gave her a lot of advice on what to do in a marriage and what not to do. The book also gives good advice on fighting, finding one's true self in their spouce, and loving eachother. I strongly suggest the women read this book when they start getting more serious wither their boyfriend. I also suggest guys reading Letter to Philip.

Letters to Karen was a great book. The more I read about Karen, the more she reminded me of me. Although I'm not getting married any time soon, I could relate to her because she dated a lot of men and got board very easily. Her father started writting her letters when she anounced her engagement. The book is a guideline of what to do in a marriage and what not to do in a marriage. It gives good tips on fighting, getting to the inner-self of your spouce, and ways to show your love to eachother. It not only tought me how I want my husben to treat me, but how I want to treat my husband. It is a great book to read when your starting to get serious with your boyfriend. I also suggest that guys read Letters to Philip.

I enjoyed this book. Some of the author's ideas were a little old-fashioned, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I like the idea of the husband being chivalrous. Also, I like how straightforward and honest he is in this book, telling his daughter personal stories of his marriage and giving good advice from his experience. This is a very good book for any girl to read, whether she is getting married soon or not.

"Letters to Karen" by Charlie W. Shedd, was full of interesting information and real life examples. This book was not hard to read and goes quickly.It is also for all ages. I enjoyed reading this book because of all the words of wisdom Mr. Shedd explained from all of his personal stories. One of the most important point he brought up for Karen was that communication within marriage is extremly crucial. He emphasizes the necessity of good communication between husbands and wives at all times. Within good communication, also includes apologizing to your spouse. Some people find it impossible to express their regrets but it is a requirement for a good marriage. The fact that Karen's father took time to give real encouragement to her about marriage is an example of parental affection and religious faith. While reading the book, I could really tell that he loved Karen with all his heart and would do anything for her. A godly marriage will take time to perfect but it is possible. If one has the strength of God's love, you can overcome anything. Overall, this book will one day help me a better wife to my husband. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It's wonderful book to read over and over again.

Although this book may appear to be old-fashioned in many readers eyes, I believe it contains vauluable advice that can be applied in all relationships, not just husband and wife. The author was married for 27 years at the time these letters were written, so he knows what he is talking about. The main emphasis of the book is how to maintain peace and comfort within the relationship, even through hard times. The advice given is very practical. For example, one chapter is devoted to "Tell Him He's Wonderful". It is simple yet so often neglected by married couples because wives assume their husbands can read their minds. Shedd also lays out guidelines for communication, such as don't use the terms "always" or "never" in arguements, make greetings pleasant instead of with the worst news from the day, and give each other space on bad days and try to figure out how to pull your spouse out of the bad mood rather than join him. I also agreed with Shedd in the chapters "We Know in Part" and "Let Freedom Ring". I like how he describes marriage as growing individually in unity, meaning to maintain your own identity and have things you like to do just for yourself, in order to make the time together more precious. The only sections I did not particularly care for was his advice on housekeeping and cooking and other household duties, because I think that those things are trivial and vary with circumsatnces and personalities. I would recommend this book to anyone who is about to be married or would like to in the future, as I believe there is something for everyone in this book. It will not disappoint.

I think this book is excellent, its a real encouagement and good help for a godly marriage. It gives real live examples of married couples and there struggles. I am only 18 years old and have no plans to get married any time soon but I sometimes worry about what problems I am going to face. In reading this book I have been encouraged and assured that in a marriage you can work things out. I also have learned that as a woman of God I need to be a servant to my future husband and love him through every decision he makes no matter if I agree or disagree. I also learned a little bit more from the boys perspective and have become more understanding of them. I really like the fact that this story is about a father writing letters to his daughter. It's good for girls to get godly advice from the men in there lives. Especially there fathers. This book has changed my outlook on marriage. After reading it I am excited for the time in my life when I will experience marriage. That is, if God allows it, which I hope he does. It would be awesome to have the intimate love that comes from a marriage.

Letters to Karen provided an overall and highly informative guide on marriage. Charles Shedd is writing advice on every page of the book. He uses real life examples of good and wrong actions that happen during marriage. I enjoyed discovering how important the little things are in a marriage. As an example Mr. Shedd mentions how important it is for couples to still carry on with things like opening the car door for the lady and telling each other by words or action how important each person is. The author gives a grand performance as he tackles a wide range of topics some include sex, sexual differences, budgeting your money, good housekeeping and more. One area he talks about is moods, his advice to his daughter is to "try your best not to go down into the swamps of despair when he goes down." Mr. Shedd uses a fabulous vocabulary throughout this book. There were a few parts I did not understand, but looking at the book as a whole it shall satisfy the seeker. I recommend this book to anyone, preferably a female as this deals with marriage from a womans point of view.