Audiobook Sample

Listen to the sample to experience the story.

Please wait while we verify your browser...

  • Title: Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs
  • Author: Emerson Eggerichs
  • Narrator: Emerson Eggerichs
  • Length: 0.366631944
  • Version: Abridged
  • Release Date: 10-Nov
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson
  • Genre: Religion & Spirituality, Health & Wellness, Marriage & Family, Christianity, Counseling & Inspirational
  • ISBN13: 9.78E+12

Dear fellow book lovers,

When a friend recommended Emerson Eggerichs’ “Love and Respect,” I approached it with cautious optimism. As someone who has navigated the complexities of long-term relationships, I was intrigued by the book’s premise that men primarily need respect while women primarily need love.

The abridged audiobook version (approximately 8 hours and 48 minutes), narrated by Eggerichs himself, offers a condensed yet comprehensive exploration of his core philosophy. Released by Thomas Nelson in November, this audio adaptation maintains the essence of his New York Times bestseller that has sold over 2.2 million copies since its 2004 publication.

Eggerichs bases his framework on Ephesians 5:33, proposing that marriages often enter what he calls a “Crazy Cycle” when these fundamental needs go unmet. His narration is passionate and conversational, though at times his delivery feels overly rehearsed, particularly when sharing anecdotes from his counseling practice.

What resonated with me was the recognition that men and women often communicate differently. The concept that my partner might interpret certain comments as disrespectful when I intended no such thing provided a valuable perspective shift. I found myself reflecting on past conflicts through this new lens, recognizing patterns I hadn’t previously identified.

However, I struggled with the book’s rigid gender essentialism. While Eggerichs acknowledges that both genders need both love and respect, the strict binary framework feels oversimplified. My personal experience suggests that relationship dynamics are far more nuanced than this model allows.

The audiobook’s structure follows the original text’s organization around memorable acronyms: COUPLE (Closeness, Openness, Understanding, Peacemaking, Loyalty, Esteem) for showing love to wives, and CHAIRS (Conquest, Hierarchy, Authority, Insight, Relationship, Sexuality) for showing respect to husbands. These provide practical applications, though I found some suggestions more helpful than others.

The biblical foundation will appeal to Christian listeners, but those seeking a more research-based or secular approach may find the theological emphasis limiting. Eggerichs does reference scientific research supporting his claims, though specific citations aren’t provided in the audio format.

Despite my reservations about certain aspects, I found value in the core message about improving communication and breaking negative cycles. The abridged format makes this accessible for busy listeners, though it necessarily sacrifices some of the depth found in the full text.

“Love and Respect” has clearly impacted many marriages positively, and I can understand why. While I don’t embrace every aspect of Eggerichs’ philosophy, his emphasis on intentional communication and meeting your partner’s emotional needs offers valuable insights for any relationship seeking greater understanding and connection.

Warmest regards,
Prof. Emily Chen