Living Happily Ever After: Couples Talk About Lasting Love [Hardcover]

Laurie Wagner (Author), Stephanie Rausser (Author), David Collier (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0756762987 | ISBN-13: 978-0756762988 | Publication Date: January 1996

Following on the success of Chronicle Books' Mothers and Sons, Living Happily Ever After explores the lives of 30 American couples who have been together for 30 years or longer. In personal, intimate interviews and charming vintage and contemporary photographs, these pairs reveal their private experiences of couplehood. From Helma and Benno Schneider, who came together in a concentration camp and survived to marry and raise a family, to Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, women who met in the 1950s and have stayed together for over 40 years, these couples have lived extraordinary lives. Yet their experiences consecrate the ordinary, as they discuss buying a house, raising children, surviving affairs, aging, and the ups and downs of everyday life. A perfect gift for weddings, anniversaries, or any loving occasion, Living Happily Ever After is a thoughtful, beautiful look at real-life commitment.

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

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Collier is the producer of the Academy Award nominated For Better or For Worse, the documentary film on which this book is based. He lives in Berkeley.

Laurie Wagner is a San Francisco Bay Area writer who collarborated with David Collier on For Better of For Worse.

Stephanie Rausser is a San Francisco Bay Area photographer. Her photgraphs have appeared in Health, Conde Nast Traveler, Glamour, and other magazines. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 259 pages
• Publisher: Diane Pub Co (January 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756762987
• ISBN-13: 978-0756762988
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,870,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is darling, April 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Living Happily Ever After: Couples Talk about Lasting Love (Paperback)

And as for the person who made the statements about the gay couples in the book, try doing a little research before making blanket statements. If staying together 30 years or more were normal for the general population, we wouldn't really need a book to inspire us and tell us how to do it, would we? Look around. There are many devoted couples, gay or straight, and there are many people of either persuasion who, shall we say, are seldom in such committed relationships. Orientation is moot. I think this book is great for ANY couple. I gave it to my boyfriend as a Valentine's Day present, and we're inspired by the longevity of the couples in this book. Everyone should have this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars There's more than one way to a successful relationship., June 21, 2000

By 

"oria" (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Happily Ever After: Couples Talk About Lasting Love. (Hardcover)

We recieved this book for our 25th Wedding Anniversary from a beloved nephew. It is full of honest stories--some shocking,some humorous,some touching, all interesting--of ordinary couples who in their own way overcame obstacles, big and small, and made a success of their relationships. This enlightening book changed the way we view committed relationships. We have given copies of this book as anniversary, engagement and wedding presents. Also, we have recommended it our committed friends.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Candid, beautiful, inspiring!, April 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Living Happily Ever After: Couples Talk about Lasting Love (Paperback)

When I saw the cover of this book in the bookstore, I thought, "Oh no, another syrupy sweet collection of essays on marriage." But when I had to wait a few minutes before the tears clouding my eyes finally cleared (after skimming the first story), I was hooked. These are stories of everyday people who speak quite candidly about what it takes to sustain a relationship through the years, and you can't help but fall in love with them! I was surprised by the candidness of many couples, and thankful that they were willing to share such personal facts. And I liked that the book covered all sorts of couples...this made it even more interesting. This lovely book would make an excellent anniversary, Valentine's Day, birthday, wedding or shower gift.