My Parents Married on a Dare: And Other Favorite Essays on Life

by Carlfred Broderick

Sum up your religious beliefs, professional viewpoints and deeply held values. That is the task this author assumed during a time when he was confronting a then undiagnosed but seemingly life-threatening illness. This book is a compilation of his writings that he feels are most representative of his personal, spiritual, and professional outlook.

Genres: Nonfiction, Lds, Marriage, Memoir, Religion, Church

150 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1996

About the author

Carlfred Bartholomew Broderick (April 7, 1932 - July 27, 1999) was a 20th-century psychologist and family therapist, a scholar of marriage and family relations at the University of Southern California, an author of several books, and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1932, and he died of cancer in 1999 in Cerritos, California at the age of 67.

Reviews

[Milo Bitters · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars - not even joking.
“I believe this is the key to the resolution of intellectual and spiritual tensions: full-throttle involvement with both.”

[Alanna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are just a few essays by Broderick, and the more of his stuff that I read, the more I love him, his writings, and his ideas. I was actually really disappointed when I got to the last essay and realized it was one I'd already read ("The Uses of Adversity") and so I had already run out of new material from him! Anyway, these essays focus on (to name a few of them) the paths his career has taken him, the paths his religion has taken him, his speculation on the brothers of Jesus, and other interesting topics. One of my favorite parts was just a couple pages where he discussed some of the intellectual issues he has had trouble integrating with his testimony. I liked that he could discuss these things very openly and honestly (and even humbly) without attacking the church or doubting its truthfulness. I feel like more and more this is a very rare trait, and it made me happy to see it. And then any of his marriage and parenting advice is excellent and I sort of wish I could have it tattooed across my arm or something for easy referencing. (If I were more Mormon, I guess I'd write it all in vinyl on my arms!) I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Update-- I just read this again, probably for the third time? It's like visiting with an old friend-- every so often, I just need to sit down with this book and try harder to absorb all the wisdom and lessons it contains. How Broderick does this while also being so enjoyable to read just makes the whole book a delight!

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because I knew the author personally. He was our stake president in Cerritos, Calif. and he was one of the funniest church leaders I've ever met. He was a marriage counselor by profession and I found that he has written a few books. This one started a little slow because it talked about his life and background but when it got to his advice and the articles he wrote about marriage and families, I really enjoyed it and he had some very good stories.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short and insightful read. I could have enjoyed it a lot more if the author hadn't been quite so impressed with himself - or perhaps a little less obvious about it. Definitely a smart guy, but a little too anxious to wow the reader with his many credentials and much name-dropping. I don't love reading Stephen Covey for the same reasons. For whatever reason, I'm a lot more easily impressed when people aren't so eager to prove how impressive they are.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to get through, in parts, but there was enough wisdom in the final chapter to make the effort very much worthwhile.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the last third of this book. I don't know the purpose the author had for writing it, if it was mainly a memoir for his family or what. But as an "outsider" (yes, I'm a member of the church), the first 2/3 of this book seemed like more of a brag sheet of everything he did -- where he went, what schools he went to, what prestigious degrees he got, what Very Important People he knew. As a person with no degrees and who knows no Important People, this seemed more than a little bit pompous. As other people have commented -- full of himself. Or impressed with himself, not sure which.

It wasn't until he came to the chapters about real people and real problems and spiritual experiences that the book came alive for me. The last section of the book was worth reading. The rest was only marginally interesting as background information on the author.

[Allison Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't pick up this book by it's title, I had read other books by the author earlier in my life when going through a difficult marriage and knew that I appreciated his wisdom and insights. This book did not disappoint. I particularly loved his essays on The Uses of Adversity and The Familial Relationships of Jesus. Mind expanding! It had never occurred to me that Jesus had members of his own family who didn't accept his Messiahship. He knows exactly what it's like to feel pain for members of our own family who don't accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. And yet his brother James becomes a disciple and later an apostle, truly converted where once he had betrayed him earlier in his life as did his other brothers Joses, Simon and Jude. The hope this offered was tremendous to me!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what I was expecting when I started reading this book...but I received far more than I thought possible from 140 pages! Even now, in my 'twilight years" I found morsels of marital advice I wish I'd known sooner. Advice with pleasant, unexpected twists! My kids tire of all the books I recommend. But this one now rises to the top! Child rearing advice that doesn't feel like advice. Dealing with great adversity. Seeing Jesus differently! All found on these pages...with great humor to boot!

[Lyn H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of the author's articles, talks and essays. Some are very short and others a little longer. I purchased the book because it was only a dollar and didn't expect much. What a surprise to be so captivated by his style and insights. Would recommend for his fair treatment of various spiritual and temporal life issues that we experience.

It will be a resource book that I will return to often.

[Mike Maughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, accessible read with worthwhile lessons

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me appreciate my family situation. Ha ha

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and insightful

[Bret Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broderick provides timeless insights into adversity, gospel topics, marriage, and family life. He has selflessly shares stories and principles that strengthen faith in God's love for his children.

[Sherrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the light hearted views of a marriage counselor. He is a good member of the church, having been a stake president, but came from a somewhat irregular upbringing. He was full of some unusual experiences. One was when he was asked to speak at a Women in Excellence program where they had done the Wizard of Oz theme. The people in the presentation sailed happily down the yellow brick road without any pitfalls along the way. By the time he got up to speak he felt to tell the girls that even if they do everything right there could still be obstructions to their happiness. I thought this was a small jab at how we sometimes try too hard when we have a presentation and miss the real story. I know I have read this story before but somehow didn't think it was his story. I thought I would remember such a strange name if I had heard it before but I guess not. Apparently it was his story.
I thought the excerpt about Jesus having unbelieving brothers was a little unsubstantiated. He could have, but then I think when the Bible uses the term Brethren it might not have been actual Brothers. Sometimes he is a bit irreverent in his views but honestly addresses the perils of losing a testimony and how easily that could happen.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, quick read. The first two chapters are basically summaries of his life, professional and personal. Some great bits of marital and family advice sprinkled through but my favorite is still the final chapter, which I've read several times before, The Uses of Adversity. I sorta feel that the first section of that essay should be required reading for all Relief Society, Young Women and Primary leaders as a reminder to not let the vision and details of an activity or program overwhelm the importance of the message it is meant to teach. I am no doubt guilty of letting my creative package take central stage a bit more often than it should.

[Heather Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two chapters simply outline all the accomplishments of author. The first, his academic achievements. His second: his secular. He even began the second chapter suggesting it would be spiritually uplifting, like his testimony, but it turned out to only be a list of his callings. Well written and quite entertaining considering its subject matter, but for me: yawn.

However, overall I really enjoyed it. I even quoted a portion in my recent talk in church. I went away from reading it uplifted and taught. A good read.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this. My mom recommended it to me, I wasn't really sure what to expect. But I found it to be an uplifting, encouraging selection of articles written by Broderick, who was a physiologist and scholar. I enjoyed his self-deprecating sense of humor. I especially appreciated the last part of the book entitled, "Adversity". Very easy, enjoyable read. Thanks Mom!

*Useless but fun fact for those who know him: Jerry Garns has photo credit for the author's picture appearing on the cover.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book last summer in New York while I was visiting my sister. It was one I found on one of her many bookshelves. For some reason the title just appealed to me.
I loved all of the essays, but a paragraph from the one titled "Adversity" just totally and completely changed my life in a single moment. I'll never look at my past in the same way.
A great, great book.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must admit, this is a book i was pretty reluctant to read just based on the title. It just sounded corny. But when my Mom suggested I read the article "The uses of adversity", i did and devoured the rest. I loved this man's wit but even more his well-studied and down-to-earth perspective on tough topics.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of the author's talks and essays. I bought the book for the last chapter called "Uses of Adversity". In this chapter and the one previous to it, Br. Broderick helps the reader to understand the purposes of trials in our lives. Unfair things do happen to innocent people. The test is how we handle that unfairness. These chapters gave me much to contemplate.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this man! He has such a wonderful perspective on life. He has such a quirky sense of humor considering his profession (psychology) isn't well known for that. And in spite of all his accolades, he remained a self-effacing person to the end.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about relationships. I once heard Broderick speak at BYU and became a fan for life, I am so sorry he is not alive anymore. This book touches many different aspects of relationships and dealing with life in general. Read it.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally loved this book. Read lots of it to my husband. Heard him speak at a devotional and loved his style, witty and sharp, very direct and makes you think.

[Kristi Reeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the last part of this book better than the first. One of the greatest talks or essays written on why do we have painful things in our life is the last chapter of this book.

[Linda Brough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was an okay book... I thought the author was a bit into himself with all his education but was trying to share a good message and his testimony

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. So did Don.

[Allen Elggren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two thumbs WAY up. A groundbreaking LDS mental health professional tells it like it is. Johnny Carson even had him on the "Tonight" show.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot more than I thought I would.
Three stars until I hit the later half of the book, where suddenly the essays were talking about things I wonder about.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of thought provoking essays by Carlfred Broderick. The last essay is the uses of adversity--one of my all time favorite reads and a piece that has influenced me for years.