“Marriage is fabulously hard.” That’s one of the first statements that John & Stasi Eldredge make about marriage, and they just get more real from there. They don’t sugarcoat things in Love & War, they tell it like it is, and it’s not easy.
Throughout the book they discuss their own marriage, with honesty and openness that is both refreshing and endearing. You see their own brokenness and heartache, and read how they have worked to keep it together. They talk about how they each contributed to that, how their own individual issues, if you will, contributed to the issues in their marriage, and how they both worked to save what is so dear to them.
I have to admit that I had a hard time getting into this book, but once I did it really registered. Whether you are having problems in your marriage or if you are newlyweds who think you never will, this book is for you. If you are engaged and preparing for marriage, this book is for you. Love & War is a true, open, honest look at what marriage is and how it really works. It’s not sugarcoated and full of platitudes about how much we have to work but if we do it will be smooth sailing. They are honest that it takes work, and work, and even then work some more. But something beautiful is there, and you can find it, with work.
If you like to read an excerpt from Love & War there is one available on Scribd. here, http://www.scribd.com/doc/52599490/Love-and-War-by-John-and-Stasi-Eldredge-Chapter-1-Excerpt. It’s definitely worth checking out. See for yourself the honesty that the Eldredges display and share. The book is available for purchase here, http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9780307730213, but I have great news! I was able to get an extra copy (with my love of books I plan on keeping mine) and I’d love to give it to someone. Please leave a comment below on what you think of my review, or of the book after you’ve read the excerpt and someone will be chosen at random on Friday, August 6, 2011 to receive a copy free. Make sure that you leave your e-mail address (it won’t be published if you leave it in the e-mail field) so that I can contact you for your address to send it to. I can’t wait to give this to someone!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group through the Blogging for Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
**Posted edited Saturday July 30th to add that winner will be chosen on August 6th, 2011.
Free To Dance 
I was glad to see you reviewed this book! It is on my list to read. I love the honesty in other books the Eldredges have written, and I’m glad to hear that has continued in this book. Thanks!
Definitely a good read! Their honesty is a big draw in their writing… I love that in an author!
I have this book on my Kindle. I also have John’s “Wild at Heart” and their “Captivating”. I find John Eldredge to be a very good writer, using a conversational style, like I try to do. The words are easy to read, but the book itself (Wild at Heart) is very hard to read, because it causes so much introspection and soul searching.
I recommend reading “Wild at Heart” if you’re a man, or “Captivating” if you’re a woman, but have a partner who’s already read it and can help you process some of the more difficult soul searching that you’ll do while you’re reading it.
I will say that “Wild at Heart” changed the way I look at my life. I am now TRULY new.
I’ve got both of those, but haven’t made it through them… there are so many books on my “must read” list, and it’s hard with school. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head though, it’s hard to read because it makes you really think about who and where you are! Great point!
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts concerning this title. Right now I am in the middle of reading two different books, mind you they are both for a class I’m taking.
This book sounds like something that would be perfect for the Marriage & Family Counseling Course that I am taking. Did you by chance take CCOU-301?
I am enjoying the books that we have to read for the class, I am learning so much from them personally.
This first is by Dr.’s Timothy Clinton & Gary Sibcy “Why you do the things you do: The secrets to healthy relationships” and the other is by
Dr. Eggerichs titled “Love & Respect”.
I think it would be a great book for that class, I took it last semester! I wish I’d had this book for it, I think it would have made a great resource. I did learn a lot from that class, and I actually submitted my request to review this book shortly after finishing it, I suppose the class was my inspiration for wanting to read this in a way. 🙂 If you have time, like that’s possible with school, try to read this one, definitely worth it!