My wife and I read this book as we prepared for marriage, and it's the best book we've read on the subject. Though we are not Catholics, we recognize the beautiful truths of Pope John Paul II's vision of divine and human love. Crossing the Threshold of Love descibes marriage in its fullness--as God intended it. Any book on marriage that ignores such fundamental issues as fertility cycles and contraception is not worth your time. Mary Shivanandan is an honest, informed, and trustworthy guide in these matters. Though not an easy read, it is well worth the effort.

This book is stunning. How beautiful is God's gift of our body, I realized after reading it. This world proclaims that the human body is made for gratification and manipulation, but we know deep down there has to be more. Pope John Paul II has given the defining answer through his writings on the theology of the body. Sadly, many of us have not heard it or cannot comprehend it. This book by Dr. Shivanandan clearly and concisely elucidates the reader on the mind of this Pope. In Crossing the Threshold of Love, the layperson can see the link from the creation of man, of men and women, in God's image to day-to-day relationships with others.

Married couples, single persons, parents, priests, seminarians, teachers -- all can peel away years of misunderstanding the true theology of the body with their read of this book. So much of life's beauty is revealed. A profound sense of serenity with one's sexuality can be the result.

It is not for wimps, though. It took time to read and upon reflection to appreciate this work. It is more than worth the effort.

Crossing the Threshold of Love will remain a timeless resource for meditation and for improving relations with one another.