THE WEDDING BOOK.

By Frances andFrederic A. Birmingham '33. New York:Harper and Row, 1964. 197 pp. $4.95.

Frederic and Frances Birmingham's masterpiece on marriage ends with a quotation from Benjamin Franklin: "Keep thy eyes wide open before marriage, and half shut afterwards." Had only our wide and inexperienced eyes focused upon The WeddingBook before July 11 rather than afterwards, there is no question that some of our confusion could have been lessened, some of our mistakes avoided, and perhaps the bachelor party might have been celebrated prior to July 10.

But instead, the golden book traveled with us on our honeymoon around the United States, and was read with nostalgic sighs or peal of laughter through the Rockies and across the Mojave. And the greatest tribute that we can pay this wedding guide is that we considered it not a duty unkindly forced upon us at a time when we wished to be alone, but rather a joy that made us better appreciate our own wedding.

The authors have approached their subject in an original and enjoyable manner, they have divided their book into sections for "Him" and sections for "Her," with Mr. Birmingham writing the former and his wife the latter - with the exception of the postmarital advice to the newlyweds in which their roles are quite rightly reversed. Their expressed intention was to be "informal in approach and formal in authority,” and their success is remarkable. Mr. Birmingham's style deserves special mention, for his humor would make it possible for the most ornery groom to delight in reading his sections. Although Mrs. Birmingham lacks her husband's humor, she manages to give clear descriptions, practical suggestions, and lengthy lists without the girl feeling overwhelmed by tedious details. However, the bride's sections could have been improved by the insertion of a few humorous anecdotes, similar to those found scattered elsewhere throughout the book.

The scope of the material covered is great: the history of the ceremony to the particulars of your ceremony. Perhaps most impressive is that price indexes are included, and provisions are suggested for the small wedding as well as the large. And most important is that the Birminghams do not establish a strict and arbitrary set of rules, but rather seem to be having fun with the young couple: planning with them and guiding them gently, warning them of possible hazards, but always encouraging them.

The character of The Wedding Book is best summarized by the precious poems of love preceding each chapter and the priceless illustrations. It is a book which should be given to every bride-to-be as an engagement present, and read by all concerned from fiance to family.

Reviewers Rozycki were wed in July. Barrett Cup winner and all-Ivy halfback Al isnow in his final year at Harvard MedicalSchool. Priscilla is the daughter of FordWhelden '25.