Title: A Broken Man: The Rocky Shoals of Marriage, Remarriage and Divorce
Author: Joseph Tyler
Publisher: AuthorHouseUK
ISBN: 978-1-5049-9744-7
Pages: 286
Genre: Self-Help / Family & Relationships / Marriage
Reviewed by: Suzanne Gattis
Pacific Book Review
A Broken Man: The Rocky Shoals of Marriage, Remarriage and Divorce by author Joseph Tyler is the story of one man’s experience written in the hopes of sharing his story and helping others along their journey among these rocky shoals of life. The second part of the book is about how to recognize the signs of what is going on and how to get help – before it goes beyond the point of no return.
Some would say Tyler’s first marriage ended when he met and fell in love with his second wife Sally-Ann, but if truth be told, he and his first wife had drifted apart years before. Being a workaholic, having grown children and becoming empty nesters, the pair simply grew apart as many marriages do. Neither of them probably recognized the signs until it was too late to save their marriage. Tyler has many regrets from his failed first marriage, particularly the fact that he did not keep in contact with his children.
Expecting nothing but marital bliss in his second marriage, Tyler was caught off guard when that too did not work out. In fact, he was in pure denial about the absolution of that marriage, writing volumes of love letters to his Sally-Ann which went unanswered. Tyler believed he had done everything he could, including protecting his new step-son, to keep the marriage together. It took him time but he finally realized this marriage too had not worked out as planned.
Tyler had to pick up the pieces of his life and start all over, yet again, when his second divorce ended. I like to think the author actually found some closure through the writing of this book, a type of therapy if you will. He had great friends who helped him along the way and he definitely did his research, as seen in the last pages of the book. The self-help section of the book bears witness these events are identifiable and rectifiable if dealt with in a timely fashion.
Bearing ones soul within the pages of a book is a brave thing to do, especially when readers realize some of the accusations made against him by his second wife. I truly believe in sharing his story, Tyler indeed hopes to be able to forewarn others who may find themselves in similar situations. For those in a marriage with some rocky times, or for those contemplating a marriage and wish to learn more about what may come, this book could is indispensable. As for Tyler, he now has to live with the understanding if he knew then what he knows now, his life would certainly be happier.
