Mars and Venus Together Forever: Relationship Skills for Lasting Love

This information is excellent in helping couples understand that things we say can be taken one way by our partner when we really mean something else. I think it will help a lot of people out there who unintentionally may be hurting a relationship while trying to communicate.

My wife and I have had our problems off and on for the past 14 years. It seemed we had problems we would never be able to solve. We both tried very hard but we didn't make much headway. I remember how much I was doing for my wife, thinking that is what would make her happy. I bought this book and read it first. I tried the suggestions and they worked. It sounds terrible but I have been able to decrease the amount of time I spend trying to make her happy. This because I can focus on her three or four specific needs as a woman.

The other side of the story, I now know what my needs are. She can focus on the three or four key needs I have so she can use her energies most effectively. For example when I have a problem, I need time to work it out in my mind. I need my time alone to do that. In the past, my wife would want to spend more time with me to talk about it. I didn't know why that irritated me so but it did. Now I understand why after reading John Gray's book. Often we do for our partner what we would want done for us. What is most interesting is, what we want done for us exacerbates the problems when they are done for our partner as in the above example.

Despite what some may say, men and women are different. I have four children, two of each gender. We have tried not to force our boys or girls to play with one toy or an other but the boys both gravitated to cars and the girls to Dolls. We even bought dolls for our oldest boy because he wanted what his older sister had. He later abandoned the doll and went for the trunks and cars. We are different, and how beautiful the difference.

Learn what those differences are so you can develop the love you have rather than work on the problems you are having.

In response to other reviewers, yes, this book does rely heavily on stereotypes of male and female behavior. If you find you don't fit the stereotypes (and of course not everyone does!), then you'll need to look for another book. But for many (most?) of us, the insights and advice in this book will be very helpful. As I read, I was constantly amazed by how much I could see myself and my husband in John Gray's descriptions. Last night I had my first opportunity to try out his techniques on how to prepare a man to listen...and it worked beautifully! A situation that would certainly have escalated into a hurtful argument was diffused into a calm, brief conversation that left both of us feeling warm and loving toward each other.

if you are married , this book will enrich your skills in understanding your mate. It is a book of a very good standard . it added a lot to me in how doing less but supporting more, to duck and dodge, to listen without interrupting and how to get the win/win solution. I recommend this book for all whome are married or about to be married.

I have frowned on this author's premise...that men and women are different biologically my whole life. Imagine my surprise to actually read this book and see myself and my recent ex on every page. I read parts of this book with him and we laughed until we cried about how totally RIGHT this book is. We have decided to give us another try utilizing some of the techniques in the book. So far...so good. A must read if you both want to make it work, but seem to be at the end of your rope. All my friends wanted a copy of this book once I talked to them about it. There are some really terrific insights into male/female behavior. And so far, I have found the advice about what we can each do to be a better partner to be right on the money. ---KMS