[.ca] The Clueless Groom's Guide (ISBN 0071413723)

entertaining and informative:
The subtitle for this book is "More Than Any Man Should Know About Getting Married," but the information in this book is exactly what every man should know before he gets married. While the information in this book is presented in a humorous way and Van Dijk uses some fairly ridiculous examples, there is also quite a lot of information that is necessary and useful. Van Dijk just makes the book entertaining enough to read that the stereotypical guy is willing to keep reading to get to the good stuff. That's one point that I think I have to make up front. The examples given and some of the descriptions provided describe the groom as the stereotypical man. Most men probably won't fall fully into that category, but it is entertaining reading. This book takes men step by step through the entire wedding process, from buying the ring right up to the honeymoon. In each chapter, there are valuable tips to be gained. For example, if you read the chapter on buying the ring you will learn what the most common styles are and what style of cut and setting you should avoid at all costs unless you know for a fact that style is exactly what your girlfriend wants. Granted, most men will probably not be reading this book until they are already engaged and their fiancé recommends (or buys) this book for them. That's how I acquired my copy. But, there is still a plethora of other useful information available. Here's another for example: the author strongly recommends against using a videographer, though he does give a list of things to look for and ask about should you decide to use one. As the groom-to-be goes through the pre-wedding process, this is a book that he should refer back to and flip through the relevant sections. As I get closer to my own wedding, I am certainly going to be looking back at this book. It was entertaining to read, as well as honestly informative. It may seem a little silly at times, but this book is definitely worth your money.

You'll learn something in spite of yourself:
My fiancée' gave me a copy of this book soon after our engagement. This was a wise choice and one of the reasons I'm marrying her. The book begins with a man's decision to marry a girl, or at least the decision to ask her to marry him, and then the fun really begins. Throughout the book the author keeps a lively pace full of hysterical cynicism, incredible wit and tremendously valuable insight. Like me, if you really don't have any idea of what you're getting yourself into when you propose, then you absolutely must read this book. You will laugh out loud, learn a lot and finally understand what it's all about.

Very informative and entertaining!:
I went to a bookstore with my fiancée and lounged around in the wedding books section. Most of the books that were there were written for/from the female perspective, and therefore did not motivate me to purchase or read the book. The other books for men were more about etiquette and what to expect. Then I ran across this one. I figured... oh no, it's another idiots guide or for dummies books... but then I realized that it wasn't. So I picked it up and read parts of it. Right off, I could tell that from the sense of humor of the author, that at the very least if it didn't offer me new information, since I have never been married before, it would at least keep me entertained. So I purchased it. And I started reading it instead of a newspaper during some private time. It offered some helpful advice. It told me what to expect. And it made me laugh. What else could I ask for. I highly recommend getting this book because it does help me feel more informed about what to expect, and I don't have to carry around some frilly Martha Stewart-like book. The publisher and author understand that there is a niche for wedding books for men... that guide, offer advice, and entertain at the same time. If you are one of those football loving, bud light beer commercial watching, 20 something, 30 something, and even 40 something men, who has never been married before, then this is the book for you.

Gets it right:
I really got a huge kick out of this book. It has some really useful information. It's funny. But it's also real good spririted. A definite must read for any engaged guy.

Excellent Stuff:
My mother-in-law gave me this book as a gift shortly after I popped the question. It was full of really great stuff, and it was fun to read. I would wholeheartedly recommend it. "Mom" was also super-cool enough to give me a couple of other excellent gifts -- believe it or not -- that I would also VERY STRONGLY recommend: the book "Men Are From Mars, Women are from Venus" , the DVD "New Sex Now", and "Goddess Worship" on video. All in all these four little gifts made a HUGE impact on some very amazing weeks of my life.