Long Distance Relationships: The Complete Guide

by Gregory T. Guldner

Offers advice for maintaining a successful long distance relationship, including survival tips, personal stories from real couples, and steps for dealing with conflicts over the phone.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Relationships

216 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Natalya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very helpful book. A must read for couples in LDRs. The author is the world's leading authority on the subject and provides plenty of data and references but also sums everything up nicely. There are a special set of issues, advantages and strategies related to LDRs and this guide is essential! Emphasizes optimism, communication and planning. My bf lives in the UK, 4000 miles away and I feel much more confident in my abilities to make things work after reading this book.

[Douglas Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Long-distance relationships, or LDRs, have a bad rap, claims Gregory Guldner(M.S., clinical psychology), who debunks myths and corrects common misconceptions. In terms of success/failure ratios, his research shows that LDRs are nearly identical to "plain vanilla" relationships; "you, rather than the numbers, are in control of your relationship's destiny." Readers will find numerous practical tips (e.g., send frequent emails and letters), but clear communication is the make-or-break factor: couples who have clear, consensual agreement about expectations, ground rules, intimacy, autonomy, and the mechanics of the arrangement generally succeed. Personal stories humanize the text, and Guldner admirably relates research results in a conversational tone. Benefits of LDRs include "more free time" and "for many ... the perfect blend of independence and support to nourish self-esteem and personal growth." Real-life strategies and unbiased information will comfort those in or considering an LDR. An excellent choice for collections serving those in the diplomatic service and U.S. Armed Forces (the author is also an officer in the army reserve); also consider Fred L. Miller and Mark Bryan's charming How to Calm Down: Three Deep Breaths to Peace of Mind.

Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think we've been reading this long enough that I can consider it read. Highly recommend it for LDR people - particularly I liked the "inventory" where it helped you discover what your issues/strengths might be.

[DelGal · Rating 3 out of 5]

While LDR: The Complete guide is packed full of information, it was a bit wordy. Readers can find the critically important points in the book by simply skipping the lengthy case studies and explanations and just read the highlighted Survival Tips that basically summarize the important parts to give you the best practical information to survive an LDR.

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book cause there existed a possibility that my gf and i would go long distance. But she made it into the local program, so I didn't need to go through the book. If you want it let me know. We can awap

[Vicky Mckay-Cannon]

It was an interesting book. Apparently, the key to keeping a long distance relationship alive is e-mailing frequently and writing about daily activities. E-mailing is better than talking on the phone.

[Jamie Watts · Rating 1 out of 5]

My LDR crashed and burned after reading this book.

The book itself offers some rather obvious practices for sustaining an LDR, but I didn't find them to be insightful at all.