5 comments about Bitter or Better: Your Choices After Divorce.

1. After divorce, what then? "Bitter or Better" helps to ease the pain of not knowing what's next. It's thought provoking and inspiring. It moves you from the challenges to the cure. The uncharted territory of singlehood becomes increasingly clear with the turning of each page. I highly recommend it.



2. Dr.Leporowski has taken the personal pain of divorce combined with professional experience and created a helpful tool for anyone facing the plethora of emotions surrounding divorce. This book names the demons of divorce while supplying practical guidelines for moving on in life. The book illustrates how divorce is not the end of the world, but can actually provide an opportunity for self-disocvery and growth. Kudos to Dr. Leporowski for presenting the information in a practical,yet compassionate manner.



3. I have been a marriage and famil counselor for 22 years. After reading Dr. Leporowski's book, "Bitter or Better", I was so grateful that there was another counselor who understood the impact that bitterness has on people's lives.
   She is right on in so many ways.
   Throughout her book, she continues to position the reader to stop looking back at the offences that have occured, stop blaming the people of the past and start taking ownership of of their own lives and choices.
   It is a must read for anyone who has traveled the rocky road of divorce.
   Reading this book will open a whole new opportunity of living a life filled with contentment and peace.

   Dr. Gary Lawrence
   New Life Dynamics Counseling Center
   4000 N. Central Ave., Suite 1710
   Phoenix, Az. 85012
   602-241-9725




4. This book is a very positive, informative way to approach living your life after divorce. This is recommended reading for getting through difficulties of the aftermath of divorce.



5. Dr. Leporowski has written a slim but so useful book here that is bound to be of help to anyone dealing with the loss of a relationship. Her advice and suggestions are practical, thought provoking, and geared toward moving someone into the self-examination so necessary in order to move on into a new life following divorce. She takes special care to guide the reader through and past the traps of self-pity, blame, resentment and self-denigration without becoming critical or judgmental of those experiencing these all-too-common feelings when a marriage ends. I found her writing style to be refreshingly candid and almost conversational. Reading the book feels like sitting down with an old friend who is going to give you the "straight scoop" and not a lot of jargon or intellectual theorizing. She quite literally cuts to the "heart" of the matter! I've already started recommending this book to my psychotherapy patients facing divorce or its aftermath, encouraging them toward a more proactive self-examination and self-definition of who they are going to be NOW!

5 comments about Divorce: Making the Break.

1. If you are looking for a clear and concise book that cuts right to the heart of the matter, this is it. For anyone looking for answers to tough questions on a difficult subject, pick up this book. I recommend this book to anyone in or around a divorce.



2. This book covers, in extensive and absorbing detail, all the bases about how to survive court dates, adversarial meetings with attorneys, and other practical considerations in the divorce process. But its real essence is in how to survive divorce with your mind, heart and soul--and those of your children--intact. During a high-conflict divorce proceeding it's easy to let yourself fall prey to a "Don't get mad, get even" state of mind; the author keeps bringing his readers back to how destructive this is for the litigants and, especially, for their kids. Keep the children's welfare at the forefront, and don't sacrifice your integrity for the sake of getting revenge on your soon-to-be-ex.

   This is a touching and very, very useful guide to getting through a terrible time in your life, and coming out the other side, without destroying your soul in the process.




3. I think that "Divorce: Making the Break" by David Bell, is a body of work that is both compelling, and informative. I believe that even if one is thinking of divorce, they should buy this book. It answers many and all questions, and seems to lead one logically through this labyrinth called divorce. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Definitely a 5 star read.



4. This is one of the first books to buy if you are considering -- or are currently immersed -- in a divorce. It spells out the legal and emotional steps of the divorce process with great clarity.



5. Half of all marriages end in divorce. The divorce rate is even higher for teen marriages. David Bell draws upon five years of extensive research and personal experience in writing Divorce: Making The Break, a straightforward, "reader friendly" book about what to expect and how to best ease the painful transition of a divorce. From dealing with emotional violence to helping children cope to working through the aftermath, Divorce: Making The Break is a rock-solid compendium of sensible advice and practical considerations. Divorce: Making The Break is very highly recommended reading for those contemplating a divorce or who find themselves currently caught up in a divorce -- especially when there are children involved.

No comments about How to Do Your Own Divorce in Texas [Seventh Edition].

No comments about MoneySmart Divorce: What Women Need to Know About Money and Divorce.

1 comments about The Wedding.

1. This book allows the reader to experience all the preparations of a wedding through the eyes of a child. Additionally, we are able to see how Daisy evolves from the excitement of the wedding planning to sadness, once realizing her sister is leaving. The illustrator does an excellent job of capturing her emotions!

4 comments about Jesus' Family Values.

1. Written by Professor of New Testament (The General Theological Seminary, New York City) Deirdre Good, Jesus' Family Values is a rigorously scholarly examination of exactly what "family values" and dimensions of the family were in the days of Jesus Christ and the apostles, and precisely what the New Testament has to say - and what it doesn't say - about such matters. Setting scripture in a firm and well-researched historical context, and meticulously noting the nuances of translation as well as which scriptures are considered apocryphal by which churches other factors influencing their interpretation, Jesus' Family Values makes every effort to analytically answer the questions: What were Jesus Christ's family values, and those of his apostles? What does this mean for modern Christians with abiding faith in both God and the importance of family? Of especial note is the keen observation that today's suburban family household divorced from the workplace perhaps resembles Victorian era households more than those of Jesus' time. A desperately needed antidote to proponents of "family values" who quote or misquote snippets of scripture to support specific narrow views, Jesus' Family Values places the highest value of all on truth - and concerning such thorny and controversial topics such as religion, the best way to reach the truth is to offer as much research, evidence, broad-ranging interpretation, and logical means of analysis as reasonably possible and let the reader come to his or her own informed conclusions, precisely as Deirdre Good has done. Highly recommended.



2. If your intent is to learn what the Bible says about family values, read the Bible and avoid this book. If your intent is to dismiss what the Bible says about morality and family values, read this book. The author (a lesbian) is a professor of New Testament at General Theological Seminary, a seminary of the Episcopal communion. As recent so-called scholarship testifies, you don't really need to believe the Bible is The Word of God to be considered a Biblical scholar. The author is one who believes in reinterpreting scripture to fit her view of morality and denying those she can't easily reinterpret. In her view of life, whatever form your family takes is fine with God. If your family doesn't fit the model set in scripture, paint the scripture as outdated and the particular offending scripture as being added later by an oppressive patriarchal church. This tack is fine as long as you don't then attempt to use other scripture to justify your position. When scripture says something you don't like, either take its position to heart and acknowledge you are mistaken, or form your own religion where everything goes, but for heaven's sake, don't say that your position is found in the Bible.



3. I think it was in high school English grammar that we learned about the sometimes overpowering effect of "glowing generalities". "Family values" might be an example these days. "Jesus' Family Values" is a clearly written, intelligent, even scholarly response. What Jesus and then the early church really taught and lived about family, discipleship, and inclusion, especially as found in Matthew, Luke and Paul's letters, is clearly presented by Deirdre Good. If I were not retired, I would lead a parish Bible study using this book as text...



4. Deirdre Good is a world wide New Testament scholar. She addresses a topic of upmost importance in today's globally diverse world: Jesus' Family Values. She systematically reviews the question through the lenses of New Testament writings from the writings of Paul to the various Gospel naratives. Deirdre concludes that the New Testament portrays a variety of teachings in regards to the most controversial issues facing our religious communities and world. She conludes there is, as a matter of fact, no "unified teaching on marriage, divorce, households, or families." As was true in the day of Jesus, people are continuing to come to Jesus representng a wide variety of lifestyles. No one lifstyle represents Jesus' true family values. Real family values will stand the test of time, she concludes. This is a must read for any person who takes seriously the call to follow Jesus, without sacrificing one's authentic personhood. After reading her book, I conclude that "real" family values reflects a radical commitment to family and neighbor. Conceivably diverse constellations of familes, immediate and extended, are called to reflect God's cosmic,universal, kingdom values. True family values nuance as families continue to live out Kingdom values in a diverse and changing understanding of family and neighbor. As an Episcopal priest, I believe Jesus' family values will ever challege racisim, sexism, homophobia, and hate wherever it is found.

No comments about Adult Children of Divorce.

4 comments about Tough Talk to a Stubborn Spouse.

1. This is a fantastic book that will change the mind of anyone considering divorce. It provides a balanced look at any excuse one might have for pursuing a divorce. And its so well-written with humor interjected that I found myself laughing out loud. Easy, informative, and enjoyable reading!



2. So glad that this is back in print!--else my friend might not have got her copy back that I borrowed. This is THE best marriage book I've ever read. Original, insightful, practical, very true to life, very Biblical.



3. A counselor gave us photocopies of some of the pages of this book to read, because we were BOTH guilty of being stubborn spouses! Both of us had been married before, and had brought alot of "excess baggage" into this marriage. Like many remarrieds, we needed to hear what Stephen had to say. We actually bought two copies of the book from Amazon and each read the chapters that applied to ourselves. Without divulging the final chapter, we followed the advise and counsel provided, and re-committed our marriage on our anniversary .... I have to say that it was powerful, meaningful, and binding. We feel more committed and more in love than we did on our wedding day thirteen years ago. Anyone who can identify with being stubborn, selfish, or self-centered in their marriage relationship should read this book. It is a real eye opener, and stops thoughts and threats of divorce dead it in tracks. And if you know of a couple struggling in their marriage, with all the "right" reasons and excuses why they should divorce, this book is for them!



4. My husband & I had a long standing issue in our marriage that would flair up every so often & cause pain & heartache. We are volunteers for a national Christian marriage conference, Christians (remarried), & had sought counseling over the years for this issue. Our last counselor recommended this book, & in particular the last chapter, which details how to "divorce" the marriage you now have & renew your vows. That was over 3 years ago, & the issue has NEVER resurfaced, & we are more in love now after 15+ years, thanks to Stephen Schwanbach.

5 comments about The Measure of a Man.

1. This book was a very well written account of the ordeal that a father had to go through to keep his children in his life. The book was mind blowing: to finally understand what Alan went through to keep his children. Alan deserves so much credit for not letting the court system get the best of him. All judges should read this book and keep it on their shelves to remind them, that NOT all men are scumbags and inconsiderate S O B's.
   I hope that any man that ever gets put into this position of having to defend themselves for their children's sake, READ this Book, Take it to Heart, and Fight like HELL.



2. The MEASURE OF A MAN< is just that, how to measure how much one man can endure to protect his dignity and his children from his former wife and a legal system gone bad. What an outrage!!
   The story is revealed in very straightfoward language and candor about experiences that no one should have to endure. Karmin also has the ability to infuse humor in the midst of painful content,,, thereby lessening the anguish that one could feel for all the victims.



3. After reading this book cover to cover and knowing both the author and his exwife, it saddens me to read all the untruths and part truths in his book. The police,judges,friends,his sister and brother that sided against him on the words of his wife is just ridiculas.They saw actions to make them side the way they did ,not mere words. It also saddens me to see his children dragged thru this once again, this time in words that can't be taken back> they are set in stone. I can see by the tone of hatred in this book and the poor me poor me tone that someone still just isnt over a marriage that ended years ago. The author needs to move on.



4. I am the son of the author. I lived through the horrific mess that my mother put us all through. Although some accounts of personal details could be somewhat embarrassing to me, my father was completely accurate in every detail. I believe he did a great job in telling our story and his added touchs of heartwarming stories and humor made it not only bearable to read about my own unpleasant experiences...but also made for an interesting and enjoyable read.



5. After I offered to read and review The Measure of a Man in exchange for a free copy from the author, Alan Karmin, I expected to be bored by it.
   
   As a lawyer known for her stance on false allegations, I have been inundated with emails and phone calls from fathers who had fought or were fighting for their children in the halls of our so-called justice system. All the stories were similar: no matter what evidence Dad had, no matter what supporting witnesses he had, no matter what was fair, no matter how revengeful or out of control or just plain vindictive the mother of their children was, no matter how often Dad proved that she lied to the police, no matter how often she lied to the court, he lost. Mom got sole physical and, often, sole legal custody.
   
   I assumed Karmin's story would be more of the same, for those stories accurately described the inevitable course of a domestic relations action in our neo-feminist society.
   
   Much to my surprise, the book was a page-turner. I read it in two nonstop sessions, interrupted only for Day 3 of the Republican National Convention. I was determined to hear Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin's speech. After listening to the Democratic female pundits on the Larry King Show critiquing Palin's speech, I shut the TV off and began the second session. Although exhausted, I continued reading until I finished it at 5:15 a.m.
   
   The book conveyed Karmin's emotion, thought, development, and action. It was like the Tom Mix serial "Miracle Rider" I used to see as a child for 10 cents at the Magnet theatre. Each Saturday, I learned that neither Tom Mix nor Tony his "wonder horse" was killed when they galloped off the top of the cliff to avoid being trampled by a stampede of buffalo or when they rode through a burning forest. At the top of each chapter, Tom Mix and his faithful horse appeared with renewed energy. A classic formula for novel-writing.
   
   Karmin has talent. He knows how to "show and tell." I am surprised a mainstream publisher did not pick up his book for publication. Maybe he never tried to interest a mainstream publisher in his book. I don't know, but what we have here is a true memoir of the terrifying nightmare of trusting in a family-court judge to dispense justice instead of perverting it.
   
   A five star read.

1 comments about For The Children's Sake:: Parenting Together after the Marriage Ends.

1. Anyone looking for a quick yet very informative book on how to help your children through a divorce (amicable or not) I strongly reccommend this book. It gives good information on how to assist children at any age from infant to adulthood. It suggests ways for the parents to keep their children in focuse during times that may otherwise detract your attention from them. The key is BOTH parents should have this book. And BOTH parents must practice the philosophy of the book. I have been seperate for almost nine months and I purchased an extra book for my estranged wife. My daughter and I have made arts and crafts for her mom and that has helped the "parenting" relationship between her and I. Which in turn is only positive for the child.