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Marriage to a Difficult Man: The Uncommon Union of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards
What was Sarah Edwards doing while her husband navigated ministry difficulties and pressures, traveled often to preach, nursed his delicate health, and spent long hours in his study composing sermons and writing books? She was busy mothering their 11 children, caring for the household, warmly welcoming the many guests who came to talk to and study with her famous husband, and providing a rock of stability and sociability for her introverted husband—one of America’s most influential intellectuals and theologians.
A must-read for any ministry wife or wife who’s husband is necessarily very busy with work or travel, this book gives us an intimate glimpse into the Edwards’s home life, where Sarah shines as a model of motherhood, marital and ministry support, and hospitality.
R. C. Sproul said of this book, “This is one of my favorite treatments of Edwards and his wife—truly a must read.”
A must-read for any ministry wife or wife who’s husband is necessarily very busy with work or travel, this book gives us an intimate glimpse into the Edwards’s home life, where Sarah shines as a model of motherhood, marital and ministry support, and hospitality.
R. C. Sproul said of this book, “This is one of my favorite treatments of Edwards and his wife—truly a must read.”
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2023
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146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 21, 2025
A Colonial era tale of the most famous Puritan Pastor and his wife is one that reads like a novel in many ways, but Marriage to a Difficult Man pulls in the accounts of others, of their own diaries, and other sources to give a fascinating look into the life of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards.
While not flawless, they are nonetheless and amazing couple individually, but especially, together. Beginning with setting up the historical period and world in which this pair inhabited, Elisabeth Dodds goes on to portray an opposites attract love and ministerial partnership that held strong until their deaths.
Jonathan Edwards is portrayed as a genius scholar, socially-awkward man, weak of health, but for all his priority being on God through his writings and sermons, he is a caring husband and family man. Sarah is a woman far precious than rubies as the Proverbs 31 Excellent Wife is portrayed. She had her flaws, but her strengths as minister's wife, mother, housekeeper, and hospitable lady of outward beauty and poise with a mature spirituality that was what attracted Jonathan Edwards before she was even full grown.
The author focused on their lives rather than their beliefs and was an overview rather than a deep dive into details though this wasn't devoid of details, either. I had read others that focused elsewhere with this couple so I was glad to add Marriage to a Difficult Man to flesh out Jonathan and Sarah even more.
It was obvious the author pulled in many sources to fully reveal this wonderful couple, their family, and the day they lived in. The style was easy-reading and interesting which drew me in and gave me a satisfying read that I can recommend to those who want to learn more about the Edwards.
While not flawless, they are nonetheless and amazing couple individually, but especially, together. Beginning with setting up the historical period and world in which this pair inhabited, Elisabeth Dodds goes on to portray an opposites attract love and ministerial partnership that held strong until their deaths.
Jonathan Edwards is portrayed as a genius scholar, socially-awkward man, weak of health, but for all his priority being on God through his writings and sermons, he is a caring husband and family man. Sarah is a woman far precious than rubies as the Proverbs 31 Excellent Wife is portrayed. She had her flaws, but her strengths as minister's wife, mother, housekeeper, and hospitable lady of outward beauty and poise with a mature spirituality that was what attracted Jonathan Edwards before she was even full grown.
The author focused on their lives rather than their beliefs and was an overview rather than a deep dive into details though this wasn't devoid of details, either. I had read others that focused elsewhere with this couple so I was glad to add Marriage to a Difficult Man to flesh out Jonathan and Sarah even more.
It was obvious the author pulled in many sources to fully reveal this wonderful couple, their family, and the day they lived in. The style was easy-reading and interesting which drew me in and gave me a satisfying read that I can recommend to those who want to learn more about the Edwards.
October 10, 2023
“Edwards found at home one who was in every sense a help mate for him, one who made their common dwelling the abode of order and neatness, of peace and comfort, of harmony and love, to all its inmates, and of kindness and hospitality to the friend, visitant and the stranger.” - Hopkins
Sarah Edwards left an impression on everyone who entered her home, and she garnered the praise of her husband and children. She was such an example of “helper” to her husband and her steady love and faithfulness enabled him to be the man he needed to be. Her story was so inspiring and beautiful.
This book would be 4 stars in my rating except for the many editing errors. The frequency was very distracting.
Sarah Edwards left an impression on everyone who entered her home, and she garnered the praise of her husband and children. She was such an example of “helper” to her husband and her steady love and faithfulness enabled him to be the man he needed to be. Her story was so inspiring and beautiful.
This book would be 4 stars in my rating except for the many editing errors. The frequency was very distracting.
April 10, 2024
I only knew bits and pieces of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards prior to reading "Marriage to a Difficult Man," and I now realize that those bits and pieces were absolutely tiny. Not only is it a fascinating read to get a peek into history, but it is also quite the encouragement for any woman desiring to build up her house for Christ's kingdom. I would have given it 5 stars, but there are many typos which can make it a little difficult to read. But nonetheless, I highly recommend it!
February 12, 2024
Fascinating book with consistent scatterings of genealogy and insight into Sarah and Jonathan’s “uncommon union”. Unfortunately, I found myself a bit distracted with the many typos and grammatical errors in each chapter.
January 16, 2025
I enjoyed learning more about Sarah. Unlike other biographies I'm familiar with, I learned a lot about other people in the family. Perhaps... just a tad too much.
While I so appreciated the historical research in the book, there is not a consecutive timeline. Sometimes a person is dead and then referenced back as being alive. Very hard to follow.
There are a LOT of rabbit trails. You'll read of Sarah or Edwards having a connection and then a few paragraphs to a page or more of someone else's backstory because they got introduced.
I don't remember names well in books, so I struggled remembering who was who.
The final chapter is about the family generations to come and what happened to the remaining children - again, perhaps a reorder would be better. Odd to go to the reunion a hundred or so years later, only to backtrack.
I wasn't as invested in the last chapter. I understand for some it is fascinating to see how so many descendants were well to do- but at the end of the day- so what? It seemed like bragging rights. Again, just my personal take. For those more into genealogy and history, I think the last chapter can be very interesting. Just not for me.
Also, sadly, the book is badly edited. Obvious typos that should have been caught. It can be annoying, at times, with the amount of typos. And yet, slightly ironic when Sarah gets picked on for her typos... and yet, this book also has quite a few.
Overall, the book is informative, but I think could have been structured better for easier reading. The writer clearly took a lot of time to research. The editing just needs help.
While I so appreciated the historical research in the book, there is not a consecutive timeline. Sometimes a person is dead and then referenced back as being alive. Very hard to follow.
There are a LOT of rabbit trails. You'll read of Sarah or Edwards having a connection and then a few paragraphs to a page or more of someone else's backstory because they got introduced.
I don't remember names well in books, so I struggled remembering who was who.
The final chapter is about the family generations to come and what happened to the remaining children - again, perhaps a reorder would be better. Odd to go to the reunion a hundred or so years later, only to backtrack.
I wasn't as invested in the last chapter. I understand for some it is fascinating to see how so many descendants were well to do- but at the end of the day- so what? It seemed like bragging rights. Again, just my personal take. For those more into genealogy and history, I think the last chapter can be very interesting. Just not for me.
Also, sadly, the book is badly edited. Obvious typos that should have been caught. It can be annoying, at times, with the amount of typos. And yet, slightly ironic when Sarah gets picked on for her typos... and yet, this book also has quite a few.
Overall, the book is informative, but I think could have been structured better for easier reading. The writer clearly took a lot of time to research. The editing just needs help.
January 15, 2024
Great book about Sarah Edwards.
November 6, 2023
I fascinating peak into the life of Sarah Edwards.
July 9, 2024
“It was a happy circumstance that he could trust everything ..to the care of Mrs. Edwards with the entire safety and with undoubting confidence. She was a most judicious and faithful mistress of a family, habitually industrious, a sound economist, managing her household affairs with diligence and discretion.”
Such an interesting read. Although I wished there was more on Sarah, most of the book talked about Jonathan Edwards.
What I learned was that colonial America was a very wholesome period but also very tumultuous. It was HARD to be a mother, wife and keeper of the home. It required a different kind of diligence than what is required of homemakers today.
Death in family was almost certain in those times. One could expect to lose most of their children. Also women could expect to become widows at an early age. It was such an interesting time to be a Christian.
Most Christians today are very soft at the idea of death and sickness but it was such a frequent and almost normal occurrence in those days.
Jonathan Edwards seemed very relatable in this book. He was flawed, insecure at times and was given many hard trials, yet he made the most of them.
Such an interesting read. Although I wished there was more on Sarah, most of the book talked about Jonathan Edwards.
What I learned was that colonial America was a very wholesome period but also very tumultuous. It was HARD to be a mother, wife and keeper of the home. It required a different kind of diligence than what is required of homemakers today.
Death in family was almost certain in those times. One could expect to lose most of their children. Also women could expect to become widows at an early age. It was such an interesting time to be a Christian.
Most Christians today are very soft at the idea of death and sickness but it was such a frequent and almost normal occurrence in those days.
Jonathan Edwards seemed very relatable in this book. He was flawed, insecure at times and was given many hard trials, yet he made the most of them.
May 22, 2023
Interesting read, tho mostly I was hoping for a bit more biographical info on Edwards personally. Significant portions of book surround details regarding the universities and others involved in these institutions. The editing of the text is extremely poor with many, many grammatical errors which was bothersome after sometime and I found this to be quite surprising from G3 Ministries publishing.
December 28, 2023
an interesting look behind the scenes
This book is a wonderful pique behind the veil of the goings on in the Edward’s home. A fair treatment of the subject, the author doesn’t shy away from Edward’s’ and his families failings.
And this is the books greatest strength, by allowing us to peel back the veneer of history and see the actual good, bad, and ugly of the Edward’s family and legacy, it is a strong antidote against a hagiographic tendency of reformed thinkers to lionize and immortalise in pristine perfection their theological heroes.
This book in my opinion on invaluable because it allows us to see many of Edward’s weakness and failures, and allows us to see quite clearly where he was not in the least perfect and those places were he truly ought not to be emulated. It also keeps us from thinking that the puritan era was one of unmixed and pure Christian life when indeed it was not. This book presents a fuller picture warts and all, and keeps us from idolizing a time long gone.
Of course Edward’s was imminently useful and a true blessing from God, of course the puritans were absolute bastions of orthodox theology, and we are infinitely indebted to them, but this is plainly obvious from the works they have themselves left us, what is often missing is a complete and full picture of their life’s. A proper understanding of the faults and failures so that we can learn from them and avoid the pitfalls they encountered as we seek to rightly become the kinds of men that they were for the kingdom of God.
This book help chart a path through the strengths of Edward’s and his weakness so that we can learn from him in fullness. And the scriptures speak exactly this way, that what was recorded of Israel, including their massive failures, was written for our benefit, so that we might grow as a result. This book, I firmly believe is right in that vein.
Thank the Lord for sure a fair treatment of America’s greatest theologian, so that Edward’s can be of even double value to us young reformed men who admire him so much!
This book is a wonderful pique behind the veil of the goings on in the Edward’s home. A fair treatment of the subject, the author doesn’t shy away from Edward’s’ and his families failings.
And this is the books greatest strength, by allowing us to peel back the veneer of history and see the actual good, bad, and ugly of the Edward’s family and legacy, it is a strong antidote against a hagiographic tendency of reformed thinkers to lionize and immortalise in pristine perfection their theological heroes.
This book in my opinion on invaluable because it allows us to see many of Edward’s weakness and failures, and allows us to see quite clearly where he was not in the least perfect and those places were he truly ought not to be emulated. It also keeps us from thinking that the puritan era was one of unmixed and pure Christian life when indeed it was not. This book presents a fuller picture warts and all, and keeps us from idolizing a time long gone.
Of course Edward’s was imminently useful and a true blessing from God, of course the puritans were absolute bastions of orthodox theology, and we are infinitely indebted to them, but this is plainly obvious from the works they have themselves left us, what is often missing is a complete and full picture of their life’s. A proper understanding of the faults and failures so that we can learn from them and avoid the pitfalls they encountered as we seek to rightly become the kinds of men that they were for the kingdom of God.
This book help chart a path through the strengths of Edward’s and his weakness so that we can learn from him in fullness. And the scriptures speak exactly this way, that what was recorded of Israel, including their massive failures, was written for our benefit, so that we might grow as a result. This book, I firmly believe is right in that vein.
Thank the Lord for sure a fair treatment of America’s greatest theologian, so that Edward’s can be of even double value to us young reformed men who admire him so much!
November 23, 2025
Not sure if Sir.Edwards was a difficult man but sure his life was purposeful and busy with lovely beautiful and affectionate Sarah by his side.
Things to take back : Sarah's hospitality, calm, reserve, orderly, disciplined upbringing of her children, leading to a lifeline of nobles and distinguished people. House filled with love for each other and most importantly love for the LORD.
Years have changed yet the foundation for a healthy home remains the same: Love for the LORD, a generous protective father and a affectionate gracious mother, house with children looking after the welfare of one another. Love from the household spilling in to neighbourhood, community and anywhere the members of the household are placed.
Grief is unavoidable in any human's life, even Sarah edwards and her children went through it on various circumstances showing the fragility of human's days on earth. Above all God sustained the family, evident through the recorded geneology.
Things to take back : Sarah's hospitality, calm, reserve, orderly, disciplined upbringing of her children, leading to a lifeline of nobles and distinguished people. House filled with love for each other and most importantly love for the LORD.
Years have changed yet the foundation for a healthy home remains the same: Love for the LORD, a generous protective father and a affectionate gracious mother, house with children looking after the welfare of one another. Love from the household spilling in to neighbourhood, community and anywhere the members of the household are placed.
Grief is unavoidable in any human's life, even Sarah edwards and her children went through it on various circumstances showing the fragility of human's days on earth. Above all God sustained the family, evident through the recorded geneology.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2025
Loved this wonderful biography on the life and impact of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards as a couple. It paints a lovely picture of how God can use and bless a couple who serve Him, each other, and their children well.
Would have given this book 5 stars if not for the frequent and egregious spelling errors throughout this edition. For funsies here are a few examples of encountered errors: “Cod” instead of God, “bum” instead of burn, “possi9le” instead of possible, “AU” instead of All, “tum” instead of turn, and too many more to list here. It was sadly so distracting from the beauty of the story being told.
Would have given this book 5 stars if not for the frequent and egregious spelling errors throughout this edition. For funsies here are a few examples of encountered errors: “Cod” instead of God, “bum” instead of burn, “possi9le” instead of possible, “AU” instead of All, “tum” instead of turn, and too many more to list here. It was sadly so distracting from the beauty of the story being told.
January 27, 2024
I would love if the title of this book could be changed! Besides that, I really enjoyed learning about the life of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards. It is amazing how different life was in the 1700's and yet many of the challenges of faith, church life and relationships remain the same. Because this book is historical non-fiction, at times it lacked flow, I believe, due to the author having to piece together historical documents in order to tell the story. Overall, interesting and encouraging.
July 2, 2024
A lot of information on the Edwards clan and an overall detailed picture of their family life, but there isn’t really much depth in it about Sarah herself. The author tried to paint a picture of her from the scant resources available but this is not an intimate look into the heart and mind of an admirable Christian woman.
Kindle edition has numerous typos and editing mistakes. Very off-putting.
Kindle edition has numerous typos and editing mistakes. Very off-putting.
June 27, 2023
The content of the book was informative and interesting. However, the editing was poor, with persistent typos throughout the text.
December 23, 2023
Great book but the edition of this book has a lot of typos and grammatical errors.
Read
September 13, 2024DNF at 28%. It was good for the first few sections but then the writing began to meander all over the place and I wasn’t willing to see if it came back to the original point.
February 19, 2025
This was an encouragement and a delight. And it seems to me that "difficult" is a puritanism for "autistic-coded," and that displays God's mercies all the sweeter.
November 9, 2025
Well written but I feel like it got into the weeds a bit much and I almost DNF several times.
February 20, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
I mostly enjoyed this look into the life that Sarah and Jonathan had together. It gave a human presence to Jonathan Edward’s, addressing some of his short comings in life that sometimes get overlooked at the man that was obviously highly gifted by God.
Sometimes it felt like the author would go on for longer than needed on certain peoples backgrounds though at times this was helpful to see how their lives wove together I didn’t think it was always necessary.
There were many typos and issues of that nature throughout the book, though I didn’t feel I was too distracted by them.
I mostly enjoyed this look into the life that Sarah and Jonathan had together. It gave a human presence to Jonathan Edward’s, addressing some of his short comings in life that sometimes get overlooked at the man that was obviously highly gifted by God.
Sometimes it felt like the author would go on for longer than needed on certain peoples backgrounds though at times this was helpful to see how their lives wove together I didn’t think it was always necessary.
There were many typos and issues of that nature throughout the book, though I didn’t feel I was too distracted by them.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews