Lombardi's book is the first I've read that addresses this issue. When my children, who are now in their mid to late twenties, were young I read about every parenting book I could get my hands on, but I don't believe I even saw titles addressing this issue "back then". The Mama's Boy Myth startled me with the realization that I had bought into the cultural norms about the mother/son relationship. This book is so well researched (Lombardi is a journalist) that if I was a professor teaching Women's Issues or Gender Studies, I would use this as a textbook.

If you can't drag your spouse to therapy, then this book is
the next best thing, Actually maybe it's even better because
you can refer to it before during and after marital conflicts.

The book format is important--it is laid out in short numbered topics that quickly flesh out the essence of the couple's problem. Lerner then provides appropriate advice that is easily understood, distilled by decades of her professional experience as a therapist, and seasoned with reflections on her own 40 year marriage.

The book doesn't shy away from difficult topics or try minimize
their impact on the people involved. I highly recommend this
book and will buy copies for my adult children.

This is one of the best books I've read for overall parenting, and I've read tons of parenting books. If your idea of parenting success is to raise a balanced, happy, child who feels loved, and at home in his/her skin, then read this book. Even if you are lacking in these attributes yourself, you can still make sure your child gets them. Hallowell himself overcame childhood traumas of a step parent's alcoholism and being shipped off to boarding school. This is a book that will give you hope and the strength to do what's best for your child.