About the Author

CHRISANNA NORTHRUP created The Normal Bar project and is the CEO of YOU Got Challenged! Inc., a customized online program that motivates people to change their normal to a healthier one. PEPPER SCHWARTZ received her Ph.D. in sociology from Yale University, is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington, and is the author of 16 books. JAMES WITTE, a Harvard Ph.D., is the Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for Social Science Research at George Mason University.

Reviews

"Masters and Johnson, it's time to move over. The Normal Bar mixes together sex, savvy insights and science, making you laugh while you learn. Bet you haven't done that in a while."
--Nancy L. Snyderman, MD, NBC News Chief Medical Editor

"Money? Sex? Deep dark secrets? If you wonder how your relationship compares with the rest of the world, The Normal Bar offers you a comprehensive heads up -- most important, it suggests that growing healthier and happier may not be mission impossible."
--Gina Ogden, PhD, LMFT, author of The Return of Desire, The Heart & Soul of Sex, and Women Who Love Sex

"The Normal Bar is an innovative, easy to read book filled with novel findings about relationships and helpful suggestions on making relationships better. I will use the important findings from The Normal Bar in my classes, in my papers and in my clinical work."
--Howard J. Markman, Ph.D., author of Fighting for Your Marriage

"The Normal Bar is more than a collection of surprising information--it's one of the most insightful guides to building happier, healthier relationships that I've ever read. I was encouraged and comforted by the authors' findings. Simply terrific."
- Marci Shimoff, New York Times bestselling author of Happy for No Reason and coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul

"Facts trump opinions every time, and there are an amazing number of surprising facts in this book. Thanks to the authors' survey--which takes a quantum leap beyond any relationship survey ever undertaken--The Normal Bar marks a turning point in relationship advice books. In my 30 years as a professional student of romantic relationships, this is the only book that's actually taught me something new."
--Greg Godek, author of the national bestseller 1001 Ways to be Romantic

"This outstanding book draws on thousands of surveys to find out what makes couples happy. Besides being entertaining and edifying, The Normal Bar can actually help most couples improve their relationships."
--Barbara Reskin, Past President of the American Sociological Association "A fascinating international compendium on women, men, sex and love that -- thank goodness -- busts some entrenched myths about men. In the book you'll learn whether simple things such as reading to your partner can build deep intimacy, and whether date nights, compliments and laughter can truly keep love alive. You'll also learn about 'pet names' and public displays of affection, and whether they spark romance. This book is scholarly, humorous and wise; above all, it gives superb advice. Indeed, after reading The Normal Bar, you'll have no excuse if your partnership isn't a dream come true."
--Helen Fisher, Professor of Anthropology at Rutgers University and author of Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love

"I'm obsessed with this page-turner of a book! After nineteen years of marriage, I faced divorce and entering the dating world with a whole lot of questions about what was and was not normal. Not only did this book answer everything I'd ever wondered about relationships and what people really want, but it restored my faith in the essential sweetness of humankind. Hot damn!"
--Linda Sivertsen, award-winning author of Generation Green and co-author of the bestselling Your Big Beautiful Book Plan