If Only He Knew: Understanding Your Wife

by Gary Smalley

Book Overview

Over 600,000 copies sold The perfect guide for husbands who want to love their wives and strengthen their marriages in a way like never before.So you want your wife to . . .Understand you?Appreciate... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310448816
• ISBN13: 9780310448815
• Release Date: June 1982
• Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Company
• Length: 174 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

How YOU can change your marriage

My husband and I own both of these books. They really are best if you read them together: If Only He Knew (for the guys) and For Better or for Best (for the gals). I have reccomended these books to many people. I believe they help improve communication in marriage (and also other relationships!) so that you learn how to be a better partner in the relationship. I have been reading many of these reviews. The people who were helped by it, were helped greatly. The people who did not like the content of the book, all seemed to feel that the book shouldn't be telling them what THEY need to change to improve their marriage. Look guys! There are TWO books! One for the man and one for the woman. The woman's book tells her what SHE needs to change to improve her marraige with her husband, what SHE needs to do to understand his needs, and communicate with him on his level. The man's book tells him what HE needs to do to improve his marriage. What HE needs to do so his wife will understand him. If the man's book told the reader what his wife needs to do to change, how exactly would that help??? He is supposed to be looking for answers to how HE needs to change, what HE needs to do, how HE can take action to repair past mistakes and plan for a happier future. Only you can change your own actions, you can not change your spouse. If you are reading the man's book then I think it should be telling the reader what the man needs to know and what the man can do to change. Yes, sometimes the author uses extreme examples. Sometimes the examples will look nothing like your life. Sometimes, they might resemble your life a little too closely that it makes you uncomfortable. You may not benefit frome very single chapter in the book. I don't benefit from every single chapter of every book I read. This isn't the Bible, it's a help book. If it helps, then it has done it's job. I think perhaps if you really want to change your marriage, and make it better, you need to accept that perhaps you will have to change yourself first, before you can expect to change your mate. If you aren't looking for a book that offers advice on what YOU can do, then you won't like this book. If you are just looking for a book that you can hand to your wife and say "You need to change so we can have a better marriage" then you won't like this book. If you're looking for a SET of books that show both of you how to compromise, communicate better and be more compassionate to one another, and which will speak to each of you on your own level, then you will like these books. Blessings to you all.

Paydirt For Married Men

I just recommended this little treasure to a friend whose wife has "shut down", and whose marriage is headed for disaster, so I decided to take a second trip through it myself. Guys, this little book can save your marriage. You just don't realize how you are driving her away. Smalley takes an honest look at himself, and at me (and I wager, at you)and it hurts...I've found some tears in this process. We are to love our wife like Jesus loved the church, and gave Himself for her. As spiritual heads of the home, it is our responsibility to meet these deep needs that are so different from our own. This book will open your eyes. A book is not a quick fix for a marriage in trouble. But this little book is preventive maintenance and on-going tune-up material. For the guy that senses he is already in deep trouble, this treasure from Smalley can be a turning point. I am going to buy several copies for some of my dearest friends. Every man should understand his wife's needs at this level. Wake up gentlemen, before you hurt her any more.

OUTSTANDING,APPLICABLE,DIRECT!!!

I have had this book in my collection for several months but hadn't read it. My wife and I were experiencing marital discord, so I decided to read it. I showed it to her and explained that I was reading it, but she beat me to it. She insisted that I read it, and I found it to be almost exactly the answer to our marital problems. I do disagree with the author in one respect however. I still feel that the woman must be mature, and therefore responsible for her own actions as well as a man. In my circumstances I know I am mostly to blame for our problems. This book will be a lifetime marriage consultant to me. If you men who are determined to reconcile or improve your marriage-PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. If you don't benefit then your heart isn't in your marriage.

Men, this book will help you realize how insensitive we are.

My relationship IS in trouble, my wife suggested I read this book. I just finished it about 10 minutes ago and will be getting in my car to drive over 1,000 miles tonite to be with my wife and beg her forgiveness for my insensitivity. It will take much courage for me to follow the advice this book offers, but I am confident that it will help me achieve the results that I just don't know how reach yet. I will submit a follow up message after my marriage is back on the right track. I wish I had read this book several years ago, I'm sure I would have avoided offending my most precious wife long ago. Reading this book should be mandatory for all couples (husbands) before the second year of their relationships. I will be purchasing the companion book, "For better or for Best" as soon as the bookstores open tommorow. (Today is Easter Sunday) Steve