After decades of studying both successful couples and couples who are separating, John Gottman has distilled his findings into basic precepts for success, explaining how and why they work. Rejecting traditional assumptions about the things that make a marriage work, Gottman cites “emotional intelligence” as the bedrock of marital success. He turns his empirical findings into practical, specific advice for those in search of a long-term, close partnership. He offers quizzes and questionnaires to help determine the chances of making a relationship lasting and satisfying, and he details a concrete, seven-point plan for enhancing these odds. Filled with humor and written in a highly accessible, friendly style, this guide, frequently recommended by marriage counselors, will show couples the way to beat the divorce statistics. (BOOK)