Joining your life with another person's, until death do you part, is perhaps the biggest decision you can take. But once the vows have been sworn, the cake has been cut, and the honeymoon is over, what are the secrets of a lasting marriage?

The Art of Marriage explains why marriage matters. This timeless institution still casts its spell, not thanks to the sentimental grip of tradition, but because it eases the ups and downs of existence and makes them meaningful. Each marriage is unique, so there are no universal laws for being a good husband or wife.

But Catherine Blyth's insights and anecdotes gather wisdom from history, psychology, and couples who have been there, to show how best to negotiate the three-legged obstacle race that is married life. Whether it's upturned loo-seats, badly squeezed toothpaste, in-laws who should be outlawed, rows over the rubbish, or sly, wandering eyes, you will find a solution in this entertaining survivor's guide.