The Total Woman

I thought this book was fun and inspiring when I read it, probably close to 30 years ago. I've been the happy wife of a good man for 37 years, and I credit this book as part of the reason for our happiness. Thanks, Marabel!

Marabel Morgan wrote this advice book in 1972, around the time when one wave of the women's movement was cresting. There's a light smattering of quotes from biblical scripture, then it goes on to four parts. Organization Woman (Part I) takes the Charles M Schwab's $25,000 plan (prioritize your tasks) and lays out a plan for any women to get things done on time. Man Alive (Part II) looks at the delicate male ego and what a wife can do to restore it. Sex 201 (Part III) is about keeping the spice alive. Building Bridges (Part IV) shows how interaction within the family unit can influence children. Books like this will always garner the venom and knee-jerk reactions from a particular segment of women. Even before they read the book, these same people will drag out economic inequality, oppression of women as homemakers, doormat policies all leading inevitably up to domestic violence. NOWHERE in this book does the author promote ANY of these ideas. What the book does do is to advise women who have ended up - either by choice or by circumstances - in the home on how to make the best of it. To excel in homemaking; to provide a nice place to return to; to look after and support your husband; to realize that in marriage, giving in is as important as taking; to show love to your children. Is all this really that bad? Sure, there's the danger of the marriage going south and a wife ending up in the shoes of Terry Hekker. But that's a danger in any marriage. So why not start making lemonade? I'm willing to bet that if the roles were reversed and all the advice was written for husbands...and the wife became the recipient of the attentive husband, this book would immediately be hailed as a must-read for all men. Any advice book should be approached the way we treat high fashion: Take what you can use, water it down a little, and keep the rest in the back of the closet. No one can be expected to walk around in Saran Wrap to keep the hubby sexually enchanted, but rotating sexual turn-ons and outfits to keep the spark alive is a definite keeper. I know this book experienced some raised eyebrows from the religious community when it came out, particularly the chapters concerning sex. Because we women having forgotten how to blush, we've had to rely on some unsubstantiated myth to hold on to our men. Miss Morgan shows that we need to put solid hard work into it. A marriage can stay together on conceptual ties like mutual respect, joint returns, and prenups, but heavens how boring it would all be! Still you could apply all that in addition to the advice given in this book. I would think any woman would want to have all the tools at her disposal. Like Helen Andelin's book Fascinating Womanhood, the focus on men's fragile ego is a priceless piece of advice. I want to say if one were a fly-on-the-wall in a room where men are talking alone... but then I remembered, men rarely talk about their feelings. But compliment and admire any man, and you immediately see the gr

My sister had recommended this book to me back in the 80's. It had transformed her relationship with her husband. It has had a permanent effect on my attitudes and relationship as well. I have now been married for 30 years. This book transfomed my thinking and enabled me to grow in the love for my husband. All I can say is try it--try practicing what she says and see if it doesn't change you! I think some that have been critical of the book have not really practiced it.

This is a great book for all marriages, wonderful suggestions and anecdotes! Use the grocery store method "take what you need, leave the rest".