I have to wonder if long-winded gentleman from ChristianBookPreviews.com even read the book. Friend, the introduction states that fairy tales are based on the Gospel; nowhere does Eldredge claim them to be interchangeable, and he certainly does not say that that Gospel is at the same level as fairy tales. Good grief. As far as looking to the heart goes, Eldredge's point is that we were entirely created by the Lord, who IS love, to reflect Him. He certainly doesn't call the Lord unholy, and the Gospel is clearly detailed as early as page 17, not as late as page 69. If you prefer to simply skim the book and twist the author's words, then the review from ChristianBookPreviews.com is what you'll come up with. If you actually read the book, you'll find it to be a useful tool when it comes to keeping your marriage on the right path.

I am a year into a divorce filed by my wife, and I have been doing a lot of soul-searching as God reveals my flaws. It is amazing how different I look through His eyes instead of my prideful lenses.

This book is incredible in that, rather than being written from either a male or female perspective, it is co-authored by a fluent husband and wife who share their perspectives on some of the issues in their weather-worn marriage. By their mutual devotion to God and each other, it is evident that God can and will bring a husband and wife into closer harmony when both spouses are willing to allow Him to operate and refine each other's shortcomings and acknowledge the effect of wounds each spouse brings into the marriage.

I would highly recommend Love and War and have already shared it with friends.

Love And War by John and Stasi Eldredge is a good read for any engaged or married couple. John and Stasi's vulnerability in sharing their ups and downs in their journey together in marriage brings a real aspect to the book's message. It encourages the readers that there is hope and that a God honoring marriage is worth the fight.

The message of Love and War is that marriage is hard and is a war, but that our spouse is not the enemy. The real enemy is Satan who plots and schemes to destroy love. John and Stasi Eldredge show how the war can be won by fighting for each other instead of against each other.

I enjoyed getting the male and female perspective together in the book, it helps to give the reader a balanced perspective that most marriage books don't give. There is alot of good truths and tools to be used to enrich your marriage, though I did find it a little shallow. I think it is a exceptionally good tool for those couples who are new to the christian faith, but if you are looking for something that goes deeper and really challanges you, this is not the book for you. I found it to be lacking real depth.

All in all it was a good read.

~I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

"Love & War" by John & Stasi Eldredge is a refreshingly open, insightful, and well-written book on marriage and the common struggles that plague us within this primary relationship. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is married or about to be.

The Eldredges have tackled the topic of marriage in a fresh way. They continually refer to marriage as the microcosm of the bigger story of our relationship with God. They are quick to point out that marriage is the means in which we learn to love, and also one of the biggest recipients of Satan's attacks. After all, marriage is about "love and war."

This book is beautifully written. John is an amazing story teller, and both he and his wife are often painfully honest in their own struggles. This allows the reader to connect with them throughout the book, almost as if conversing with them at the kitchen table. They often show both perspectives (husband and wife) of the same situation, giving the reader the opportunity to understand marriage struggles in a deeper way.

This book is refreshing and full of wisdom, backed up by real life experiences.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

"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.

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."