I'm not sure it's a manual really -- and I'm not sure it's the kind of thing your wife is looking for -- but Christopher West's Good News About Sex & Marriage is great. Greg Popcak's For Better... Forever! is also very good.
Michelle | Homepage | 10.01.03 - 12:23 am | #

Why, all *my* books, of course!
Mark Shea | Homepage | 10.01.03 - 3:26 am | #

The Art of Natural Family Planning. No, I'm not kidding. Getting on the same page as far as family planning goes helps communication, which I suspect is the root of that old myth. When a woman is led to believe that she will not enjoy "it" or is even led to fear intercourse or the potential for children, she is set up for an unpleasant experience. Overcome the fears and begin to communicate and a lot of that myth goes up in smoke. But I too would recommend some of the above recommendations.
Laura | 10.01.03 - 12:15 pm | #

How about the Song of Songs?

Pretty heady reading, and certainly proves that God's not a kill-joy.
SecretAgentMan | Homepage | 10.02.03 - 1:28 am | #

Thanks, all--these are good. "Song of Songs" might be perfect--V-8 moment on that one. My wife loved it.

Besides that, I think I'll follow up with the NFP book last--and I'll append Rod Dreher's refreshingly candid OSV article about the rarely-discussed downside, too. It takes some serious prep work before you drop the NFP argument, and she isn't there yet. Not even close.

Thanks again!
Dale Price | Homepage | 10.02.03 - 1:29 pm | #