I Like Being Married: Treasured Traditions, Rituals, and Stories [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Michael Leach (Author), Therese J. Borchard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2, 2002

From the reflections of famous people and the stories of everyday folk to classic love letters and contemporary "ten best" lists, this delightfully eclectic treasury shines a spotlight on the many joys of marriage.
I Like Being Married is the ultimate celebration of the ties that keep loving couples together in good times and bad. With a guest list that includes Paul Newman and Joannne Woodward, Nancy and Ronald Reagan, Queen Victoria, George Burns, and Secretary of State Colin Powell (to name just a few); poetic tributes from Homer, Shakespeare, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning; and wedding readings from the Bible and other religious traditions, it captures the magic and deep-seated sense of commitment at the heart of married life.
I Like Being Married shows that the institution of marriage is integral to our common humanity. There are heartwarming stories of courtship–including Mikhail Gorbachev’s charming "Chasing Raisa" and Rosalyn Carter’s story of meeting Jimmy for the first time. Jerry Stiller, Celine Dion, and others who have broken the "rules" describe how they overcame family expectations, age differences, and other obstacles to wed the people they love. In moving and amusing portraits, husbands and wives reveal the qualities and the quirks that make their mates endearing, and vignettes by Ruby Dee, Roy Rogers, and Walter Payton capture the special joys that children bring to a marriage. Long-married couples look back on a lifetime of love–and look forward to the future with hope. Lists of the ten best books, songs, movies, and sitcoms about marriage, along with evocative illustrations, round off this unusual, multifaceted look at marital bliss.
Filled with stories, memories, and musings, I Like Being Married is not only an ideal gift for showers, weddings, and anniversaries but is the perfect way to explore the true meaning of marriage.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This collection of writings about that celebrated institution features essays from Hollywood stars, writers, politicians and ordinary folks. The editors of I Like Being Catholic collect previously published pieces by C.S. Lewis, Colin Powell, Benjamin Franklin, Anne Bancroft and many others covering subjects from courtship and weddings to interracial couples and raising a family. The book is illustrated with photographs and includes lists of the best books, films and television shows about marriage, making this beneficial for married couples of all ages.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Almost everyone aspires to marriage something these books go to some lengths to explain, albeit in completely different ways. As the title suggests, I Like Being Married is an unabashed celebration of marriage; it's fluff but enjoyable fluff. Leach, executive director of Orbis Books, and Borchard, author of the children's book series "The Emerald Bible Collection," have collected bits and pieces quotes, stories, traditions, and even top-ten lists that show why people take pleasure in matrimony. The quotes and stories come from both celebrities (e.g., George Bush, Winston Churchill, Celine Dion, Natasha Richardson, C.S. Lewis, and Mel Gibson) and regular Joe and Jane Does. Charming and well edited, it contains just enough variety in length and subject to be interesting, yet it is also cohesive. Public libraries should purchase. The companion book to a PBS documentary that aired Feb. 14, Marriage Just a Piece of Paper? is far more serious in tone and scope. Although it is also a smartly chosen m lange of quotes from different people, it focuses on the societal changes that have led to increased divorce rates, cohabitation, and single motherhood despite the beneficial aspects of marriage. Sociologists, politicians, ministers, and the occasional person on the street are all given a chance to explain whether they think marriage especially as it relates to the raising of children is in decline and, if so, what might be done to stop that decline. Editors Anderson and Brian Boyer worked on the documentary as managing editor/producer and executive producer/ director, respectively, and Don Browning is a professor of ethics at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Given that the effects of divorce on children is a major topic (see, e.g., Judith Wallerstein and others' The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce and E. Mavis Hetherington and John Kelly's For Better or for Worse) and that many patrons probably watched the PBS special, this book should be on all public library shelves. One caveat, however: the lack of an index makes it less useful as a research tool. Pam Matthews, MLS, Shaker Heights, OH
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• ISBN-10: 0385502311
• ASIN: B000HWYN8G
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,854,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

MICHAEL LEACH is publisher emeritus and editor-at-large of Orbis Books. A leader in Catholic publishing for more than 30 years, he has edited and published more than two thousand books. His authors include Nobel Prize winners, National Book Award winners, and hundreds of Catholic Book Award winners. He has served as president of the Catholic Book Publishers Association and the ecumenical Religion Publishers Group. Before joining Orbis as publisher in 1997 Michael was president of the Crossroad/Continuum Publishing Group in New York City. Dubbed "the dean of Catholic book publishing" by U.S. Catholic magazine, he has also authored or edited several books of his own, including the bestseller I Like Being Catholic, A Maryknoll Book of Prayer, The People's Catechism, and I Like Being Married. A popular speaker at Catholic conferences nationwide, Mike lives in Connecticut with his wife of forty-one years Vickie.

"Michael Leach, the highly respected publisher of religious books... represents a last breed in American Catholic culture." - The Catholic Review, June 11, 2002

"Chances are, if you're a reader of Catholic books, you've read a book that began its life with Michael Leach... the dean of Catholic book publishing." - U.S. Catholic, November 2000

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Like Being Married, February 10, 2002

By 

stephanie maddux (Summerville,Georgia USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: I Like Being Married: Treasured Traditions, Rituals, and Stories (Hardcover)

Beautiful book. A must for anyone who has been married, even if for only a short time. Long time married readers will relate to stories/feelings of the contributers and short term married readers will feel inspired. This book takes you to a place reserved only for the love of your life. I found it hard to go through a chapter without reaching over and kissing or touching my husband. This would also make a great anniversary gift.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Poignant reflections on marriage, November 10, 2003

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Beth Cholette "doctor_beth" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: I Like Being Married: Treasured Traditions, Rituals, and Stories (Hardcover)

Being a newlywed, this book caught my eye, although having lived with my husband for 9 years prior to marriage, I wasn't sure if the message would apply to me. I was pleased to discover that this warm-hearted collection of sentiments on marriage is appropriate for newlyweds and long-time married couples alike. At its heart, this book is about people who love each other commmiting to sharing their lives together, no matter what. The authors compiled stories and quotes about marriage from a wide variety of sources, including famous married couples (eg, George Burns and Gracie Allen), literary figures such as Shakespeare, and average married couples. The information is beautifully organized into chapters to illustrate various components of marriage, such as history, romance, weddings, obstacles, families, culture, and the like. There are wonderful stories about not just love, but also tradition, perseverence, and miracles. A wonderful book for anyone who truly believes that love conquers all.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book helped me really like being married., March 11, 2003

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"jessica-tx" (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Like Being Married: Treasured Traditions, Rituals, and Stories (Hardcover)

Everyday in a marriage brings its own challenges and trials. This book helped me look beyond the petty, ordinary irritating things to the wonderful partner God has provided me. It includes stories about marriage from celebrities and former presidents as well as everyday people. I especially liked the personal stories from the editors. I plan to buy this book for a friend of mine who is engaged and I would recommend it as a gift to any married couple. Marriage isn't just a legal institution or a social status quo - it a a vibrant pairing of two people, spiritually as well as physically, who will encourage each other and support each other through all things and all times.