The Go-Giver Marriage
A Little Story About the 5 Secrets to Lasting Love
“To say love is what makes a marriage work is like saying it takes oxygen to climb a mountain. Yes, oxygen is necessary. But not sufficient.”
For more than a decade, readers of the million-selling classic The Go-Giver have been clamoring for a book on how to apply the Go-Giver philosophy their personal relationships.
The wait is over — it’s here!
Ana and I are so excited about this book! We’ve been dreaming about writing it together ever since the day, way back in 2005, that the first rough draft of The Go-Giver slid out of my desktop printer.
The first half of the book is a parable that takes place in Pindar’s town (and brings back some familiar characters from the other books of the Go-Giver series), followed by a complete “how-to” section in back, written mostly by Ana (a clinically trained family therapist) on how to implement and integrate “The 5 Secrets to Lasting Love” into your everyday life.
The Go-Giver Marriage will help you create (or rediscover!) a deeply satisfying, abundant relationship based on simple, everyday acts of generosity. We hope it helps you find lasting love!
The Go-Giver Marriage Reviews
“John and Ana have written a beautiful tribute to the joys and challenges of marriage. This is a book that couples will come back to again and again.”
— Harville Hendrix, PhD & Helen LaKelly Hunt, PhD, coauthors of the New York Times bestseller Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples
“This sweet, simple story conveys the essence of true love—and the simple daily practices that keep that love alive. The Go-Giver Marriage is a gem, destined to be a classic that couples will read for generations.”
— David Bach, 10X New York Times bestselling author of Smart Women Finish Rich and The Automatic Millionaire
“Written from honest experience and with immense compassion, Ana and John’s book gives an actionable roadmap toward real lasting love in any relationship.”
— Marie Forleo, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Everything Is Figureoutable
“The Go-Giver Marriage is for everyone who is married, might get married, or just wants richer relationships. The story gets into your head and sinks into your heart—and then it changes you. I believe it will make a powerful difference in your life.”
— Dan Rockwell, creator of the Leadership Freak blog
“All the charm, wit, and insight of the original classic. The Go-Giver helped hundreds of thousands of people find more relevance, fulfillment, and success in their business lives. We predict The Go-Giver Marriage will do the same for their relationships.”
— Jon & Kathryn Gordon, bestselling authors of Relationship Grit
“This delightful book offers a blueprint for creating—and sustaining—a loving marriage. The Go-Giver Marriage is a must-read for all couples seeking to keep their love alive and flourishing.”
— Susan Winter, bestselling author of Older Women/Younger Men and relationship expert (Oprah, The Today Show, GMA, et al.)
“A delightful story filled with practical wisdom for a happier and more loving marriage. We highly recommend it!”
— Rory Vaden & AJ Vaden, New York Times bestselling author of Take the Stairs / cofounder and CEO of Brand Builders Group
“The Go-Giver Marriage is a beautiful book, filled with practical, caring ways to give your best self to the one you love. I wholeheartedly believe it will enrich every life—and every relationship—it touches.”
— Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and Leading at a Higher Level
“The Go-Giver Marriage is a beautiful treasure map — not just for happy, intentional partnerships but also for happy, intentional humans. Whether you’re coupled, uncoupled, or seeking your soul mate, this is a must-read if you want to find deep answers to key questions you never thought to ask.”
— Christine Kane, award-winning singer-songwriter, author of The Soul-Sourced™ Entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Uplevel You
“One firefly can distinguish itself only by becoming a blazing beacon of incandescent brilliance. There are many marriage books but this book is that firefly. It’s for everyone, married or not-yet, who desires the ultimate in joy from living with another person. Truly life-changing.”
— Rabbi Daniel Lapin, president of the American Alliance of Jews and Christians, radio and TV host
“A beautiful story, both entertaining and wise—and its message is exactly what millions of couples need right now. Many marriages will be helped, perhaps even saved, by this little book.”
— George Pratt, PhD, vice-chairman of Psychology at Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, California
“Full of inspiration and wisdom, the entertaining stories in The Go-Giver Marriage make the true, time-tested secrets of a happy marriage jump off the pages and into your heart.”
— Laura Doyle, New York Times bestselling author and host of The Empowered Wife Podcast
“The Go-Giver Marriage is a powerful story that will benefit your marriage at any stage. Read it, take it to heart—and unleash the full potential of lasting love.”
— Skip Prichard, president & CEO of OCLC, Inc., bestselling author of The Book of Mistakes: 9 Secrets to Creating a Successful Future
“So many sweet, profound surprises in this book—it’s like unwrapping a beautiful gift. I didn’t want this story to end. I may read it 100 times.”
— Dondi Scumaci, author of Designed for Success: The 10 Commandments for Women in the Workplace
“What a book, what a message—love, appreciation, and the spirit of generosity. The world is long overdue for the 5 secrets to lasting love!”
— Michael J. Maher, bestselling author of (7L) The Seven Levels of Communication and coauthor of The Miracle Morning for REA
“In creating wedding and anniversary events for hundreds of couples, I have seen firsthand the qualities that lead to long-lasting marriages. The Go-Giver Marriage gets to the heart of what creates the kind of magic we all want in our relationships. It will also make an ideal wedding or engagement gift!”
— Colin Cowie, Colin Cowie Lifestyle
“I loved the sweet and meaningful journey with its simple, practical lessons. Reminiscent of The 5 Love Languages, but unique and rich with symbolism. The fable-within-a-fable story of the young lovers and the tree reads like a love song for all couples.”
— Abbie McClung, MBA, Communications Manager, Klamath Basin Behavioral Health, Oregon
“An engaging and inspiring fable that guides readers through the essentials of a positively transformative relationship. For these two coauthors, ‘stratospheric happiness’ is no fiction!”
— David Krueger, MD, “Best Doctors in America” (Woodward/White), 2021 Executive Mentor Coach of the Year (International Association of Top Professionals)
“The Go-Giver Marriage taps into the essence of what truly counts, not just in a marriage but in any relationship, and weaves that into a story that makes it unforgettable and immediately applicable. We cannot wait to share it with others!”
— Tara Ellis-Rogers, Managing Partner, Mojo PR, Dubai
“What a powerful and enlightening book this is! Ana and John thoughtfully and creatively show us how living life bountifully is a blessing—for ourselves and for those we love.”
— Nido R. Qubein, President, High Point University
“As I read, I found myself thinking, ‘I know this’—but then asking, ‘Yeah … but do I do this?’ What a great, wonderfully useful book. I love it. We both love it!”
— Gary Burr, Nashville Hall of Fame hit songwriter and cofounder (with his wife, Georgia Middleman, and Kenny Loggins) of Blue Sky Riders
“Succinct, wise, insightful, and above all, immensely practical. Let this quick read shine a light on your marriage—and then take it to the next level and see just how fulfilling life can be!”
— Josephine M. Gross, PhD, editor in chief of Networking Times, cofounder of Gabriel Media Group, Inc.
Excerpt from The Go-Giver Marriage
For the first time since their interview began, Jeremiah unfolded his long legs and rose to his feet. In his vest and shirtsleeves, slim tailored pants, and classic two-tone wingtips, he struck Tom as a figure from another era. Silently, he stalked along the far side of the office until he stopped at one particular photo on the adjacent wall.
This one was different from the others: a long shot of a snowcapped mountain, a tiny group of climbers huddled on its summit.
Jeremiah gazed at the photo, then turned again to Tom.
“To say love is what makes a marriage work is like saying it takes oxygen to climb a mountain. Yes, oxygen is necessary. But not sufficient.”
Tom stared at the man. All he could think of was what that VP had said. A touch of the eccentric.
“They say ‘love conquers all,’” Jeremiah continued, “but this cannot be true. There is too much evidence to the contrary. Look around you. You see people who end up hurting the ones they love. Who, in one way or another, love each other unhappily. Whose love turns to contempt or, worse, indifference. Whose love doesn’t last.
“No, Tom, simply being in love cannot itself be the secret to a lasting, happy marriage.”
Tom gave the only reply he could come up with. “Then what is?”
“Giving,” said Jeremiah at once.
How had this interview turned so weird so fast?
“Giving gifts, Tom,” said Jeremiah, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He turned back to gaze again at the mountaintop photo. “I don’t mean trinkets or toys,” he added. “I mean genuine gifts.”
Exactly what test or interview tactic was happening here?
And then, with one question, Jeremiah sent Tom’s thoughts hurtling off a cliff of confusion.
“Tell me, Tom,” the owl-man said. “What is the purpose of marriage?”
