Customer Reviews

Relationships For Dummies

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

 

 

This book is very well written. It is written in a way that both male and female can read it with comfort. Best of all, you do not have to read it from beginning to end. For instance, my girlfriend and I have been dating for awhile. One of my weaknesses is communication (especially with a girl). I skipped to Chapter 11, without having to know Chapters 1-10. Dr. Kate Wachs talks about almost anything on relationships. You name it, she has it. Sex, Communication, Marriage, Is it real love? Is he/she compatable? In short, you cannot expect to have a perfect relationship by only reading this book, but I can guaranteed your relationship will be stronger and last longer if you practice what's being said. The bottomline is, this book is definitely worth reading if you want to learn about relationships.

I read this a few years back, when I was struggling through relational upheaval. The book has a chart on essential qualities in a partner (honesty, sanity, loyalty, etc.); things that are nice to have; and things that don't really matter much (some of which were quite surprising). The associated text also explains why it is unlikely that someone missing an essential quality will magically develop it because you're there now.

This chart is the best tool I've seen for identifying a deal-breaker (and it only takes ONE). It has helped me immeasurably, and has been a reality check for a few friends as well. I consider this essential information to help everyone recognize danger signs in a carefully crafted "demo" before it's too late.

Anyway, this chart alone has doubled my confidence in identifying healthy relationship potential. I felt stupid for buying and reading a book called Relationships for Dummies, but I had finally accepted that I was profoundly retarded in this area, so it seemed appropriate. Turns out it was.

There was other good and helpful information, but the chart was a life-changer for me.

I enjoyed reading this book. I have a wonderful Fiance who treats me like a princess ( something I've never had before).
Before he came along, I was always in unhealthy relationships and unfortunately when I finally left that guy and found this wonderful man I brought some of my "unhealthy stuff" into this new relationship. Needless to say he's a very patient and understanding man.

He's taught me so much about love, patience, trust, and so much more. I knew that I found the perfect man, my problem was how to not lose him.

I picked up this great book and really soaked up alot of info that I plan on using on my relationship.

Communication is definitely the key.

Would definitely reccommend this book to anyone wanting to improve their relationship.

Excellent and very well written book!!!

I was really offended by Kate Wachs's assumptions about women and men in this book. She paints with a very broad brush and presents hard and fast rules (yes, think "The Rules") that are based on some very stereotypical and sexist assumptions about men and women. The following quotes regarding women and age are just the tip of the iceberg:

"When the woman is less than 30, she's outnumbered by men. But when she's in her mid to late 30's she begins to feel the pinch, especially if she tends to date men a little older than her. When she's in her late 30's, she'll begin to experience rejection from men who want to marry a younger woman who can make babies longer."

Make babies? Who even talks like that, let alone assumes that this is everywoman's (and everyman's) relationship goal? I find the notion of applying odds to relationships especially problematic because it does not take into account compatibility, or personal growth and readiness for intimacy -- all else is most definitely NOT equal here. Nor is my dating pool comprised of all living men of a certain age! I don't care so much about the size of my dating pool as I do about the quality of my relationship. On which Kate Wachs has this to say:

"A woman should be especially careful to use the time before age 35 productively. A woman has about 8 prime years - from age 27+, when she matures, until 35, when the odds get tougher. So don't waste any time on a man who is afraid of marriage.... keep your options open by dating more than one person at a time, subtly allowing the men to compete with one another. That's especially true if you are 27+ or if your preferred partner is fearful of marriage...."

I can't think of any worse relationship advice. Undermine intimacy, play games, make men insecure so they want to marry you! Seriously?!

I bought my copy for 1 cent used, and I consider it way overpriced.

I'm in a very healthy new relationship and want thoughts on how to keep it going in a healthy, strong way, so I started browsing the preview of this book. On page 265, the author suggests that a woman manipulate a marriage-phobic man into stepping up and marrying her by dating other guys in order to stimulate his competitive drive. Really? I don't think I could take any of her advice to heart if she suggests this kind of mindplay for such an important time in someone's life (assuming you're only planning to be married until death do ya part).

I was hoping for a little more than what this book offered. In my opinion it's more suitable for the younger generation. All new relationships should read this book.

I bought this book because I'm in my very first relationship, and I felt totally lost and confused as to if what I was doing right/wrong or if it even mattered. But after reading it, it's targeted more towards people having problems in their relationships, or people who can't find a date, and not necessarily just people who are confused and want tips or clues.
It really focuses on good communication, and has excellent advice in that area. If you're a married couple with problems, or a two people in a long term relationship wanting to move ahead, or someone who's always picking the wrong guy, this book would be perfect for you. But if you're like me and just want to know how to convey feelings for your partner without outright saying them, or try to figure out your pertner's feelings/intentions by their actions, this book isn't for you. There's a great chapter for that in "Body Language for Dummies" and I was hoping this book would expand on that, but this book kinda skips over the whole physiological aspect of dating/relationships.

This book isn't quite what I expected. It has some pretty far-out suggestions and ideas. If one is looking for laughs this is okay, but some of the applications just are not practical.

went and highlighted for the BF. Lot of DUHHHH moments in it. It's an okay book I think I laughed at most of it.

Dr. Kate uses real time language to make relationships come alive and be more than just some treacherous rite of passage. Her advice is specific, exploratory and helpful in making relationships living breathing things we need to care for in order to make them blossom and grow, or not.