![]() | Homefront Club: The Hardheaded Woman's Guide to Raising a Military Family by Jacey Eckhart
Buy new: $15.56 / Used from: $0.44 This is hands-down the best military-wife book I've read. It gives real everyday advice, and it is effective advice. It is like having a mentor in the odd world of being a military spouse right on your bookshelf. It doesn't just tell you what agencies to go see; it gives real practical advice for thriving (not just surviving) this lifestyle.
|
![]() | Solo-Ops: A Survival Guide for Military Wives by Hilary Martin
Buy used from: $4.90 The primer for those newly attached to the military: read it once, then read it again after a while, and you'll laugh. Funny intro to the ins and outs of a military relationship.
|
![]() | The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert by John M. Gottman
Buy new: $10.20 / Used from: $2.18 For keeping yourselves strong together in times of stress, this is the best.
|
![]() | The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $2.46 Being separated for months or more at a time, this book is a good way of learning what makes your S.O. feel cared for and loved - and vice versa, as well.
|
![]() | Not "Just Friends": Rebuilding Trust and Recovering Your Sanity After Infidelity by Shirley P. Glass
Buy new: $10.85 / Used from: $6.20 Learn where your individual boundaries lie BEFORE you are separated for months at a time, not in the middle of it.
|
![]() | On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and Peace by Dave Grossman
Buy used from: $19.43 The follow-up to On Killing. It gives you a base of general knowledge to the 'what is it like?' question, so that your significant other's answers won't freak you out and you can have an intelligent conversation about it.
|
![]() | Down Range: To Iraq and Back by Bridget C. Cantrell
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $0.01 This book can be a lifesaver. Maybe it won't be for you, but you might be able to use the knowledge to save a friend/coworker/whatever. It is easy enough to read that upset people can make it through, but contains a great perspective and is a good first step to understanding the effects of PTSD and to getting help.
|
![]() | On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society by Dave Grossman
Buy used from: $3.50 If your S.O. goes to a combat deployment, this helps give you some sort of basis to try to approach understanding of the impact of killing another person.
|
![]() | Surviving Deployment: A Guide for Military Families by Karen M. Pavlicin
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $7.70 Some great suggestions in here for getting through a deployment.
|
![]() | When Duty Calls by Carol Vandesteeg
Buy new: $10.19 / Used from: $0.01 This one is a little more religious, but the sections at the back on how to deal with casualties is invaluable.
|
![]() | 12 Hours to a Great Marriage: A Step-by-Step Guide for Making Love Last by Howard J. Markman
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $2.58 Based on the counseling that most Army chaplains use, for strengthening relationships. Put more tools in your toolbox -- the Army has a way of wearing your equipment down sometimes.
|
![]() | Becoming Evil: How Ordinary People Commit Genocide and Mass Killing
Buy used from: $9.95 Fascinating - if you had any feelings at all about Abu Ghraib, read this book. It helps explain how ordinary people can do awful things - and knowing that is half the battle of not doing it yourself.
|
![]() | A General Theory of Love by Thomas Lewis
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $5.39 The science of love - helps you understand the changes you go through, why your brain and heart work the way they do.
|
![]() | Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson
Buy new: $9.90 / Used from: $3.34 You need to learn how to communicate well in sticky situations - with your fellow military spouses, with your own spouse - the military adds special stressors. Learn how to talk despite them.
|
![]() | Etiquette for Dummies by Sue Fox
Buy new: $18.43 / Used from: $0.47 The military is frequently a little more old-fashioned - and America needs more ettiquette anyway. Little things go a long way, and the military puts you in situations out of the ordinary. Be prepared
|
![]() | Dare to Repair: A Do-it-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home by Julie Sussman
Buy new: $12.23 / Used from: $0.19 You'll be alone a lot... get this or something like it. If 1940's wives could manage it, the current generation should be able to manage being home alone.
|
![]() | Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook by Glenn Schiraldi
Buy used from: $2.47 Just in case - better safe than sorry. Our chaplain used this as the basis of a very informative workshop before homecoming. You might not need it, but someone you know might.
|
Listmania!




















