Book excerpt: Using a style that draws students into the ongoing inquiry into how intimate relationships work, Love and Intimate Relationships investigates the life cycle of relationships influences that affect them, theories behind them, and ways to improve them. Dozens of stories from students themselves, case examples and over 150 tables, figure, and the cartoons of Don Edwing of Mad Magazine help bring the material alive. The book is also unique in exploring aspects of human relationships not covered in other textbooks on the subject. Love and Intimate Relationships helps bring the complex issues surrounding intimate relationships into focus for students from diverse backgrounds. The multidisciplinary perspective of the textbook makes it ideal for introductory courses in psychology, marriage counseling, human relations, and sexuality, and interpersonal relationships