What I Wish I'd Known Before I Got Married [Paperback]

Kay Coles James (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 2001

Building a marriage is a lifelong endeavor for both men and women. Most marriage books cover the three C's--communication, compromise, and consideration -- but fail to address many issues critical to a healthy relationship. Family advocate Kay James calls these the "things I wish I had known before I got married": advice on finances, sex, children, and dealing with the extended family. Noting that the apostle Paul exhorted older women not to inspire or counsel younger women, but to teach them how to be wives to their husbands, Kay offers a lifetime's wealth of wisdom for creating an unbreakable marriage relationship.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kay Coles James has been an ardent advocate for the family for over twenty years and was recently appointed by President Bush to serve in his administration. She was previously a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a leading educational institute based in Washington, D.C. Mrs. James also served on the board of directors at Focus on the Family ministries and speaks to groups across the nation. She is married to Charles Sr., and they have three children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (October 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576737810
• ISBN-13: 978-1576737811
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.4 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #874,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Focused on a Specific Type of Marriage Relationship, January 29, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: What I Wish I'd Known Before I Got Married (Paperback)

This book benefits most those who share the author's core values: Christianity, Chastity before Vows, and Communication. The book is clearly written with examples from her own (and others') life but will not benefit those that believe Sex=Recreational Activity without any other meaning.

While I found it to be a written (and polished) version of Mrs. James' public speaking style, the book assumes you have a likely prospect to review its guidelines with. Once you do, this book is likely to start the type of dialog the author recommends as a core value to your marriage. Too, if you're already married, perhaps this book will assist you in your relationship.

Overall, I found the book to be an easy read that pointed for more details to other (footnoted or listed) resources; this book is an introduction to important concepts, rather than a detailed manual.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Gift for the Bride, June 27, 2008

By 

Lauren Hodge "Lauren in Apple Valley" (Apple Valley, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What I Wish I'd Known Before I Got Married (Paperback)

This book is written by a woman, for a woman reader, and it's designed to help you prepare for a major life-shock called 'getting married.' The author writes with clarity and a lot of wisdom; I found myself going back and re-reading several passages.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I've bought copies for friends as they prepared to get married or remarried. It's a great book for those who have never been married before, but it's good also if you've been through a divorce and you're trying to start over.

Lauren Hodge
Apple Valley, California
I also highly recommend: Happily Remarried: Making Decisions Together * Blending Families Successfully * Building a Love That Will Last

5.0 out of 5 stars Really helpful, January 28, 2009

By 

Alison Brammer - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What I Wish I'd Known Before I Got Married (Paperback)

I loved this book. I thought it was a great Biblical view, not to be confused with fundamentalist. I learned some new things and gained some new perspective.