Two decades ago, Margaret Kent wrote a little book titled "How to Marry the Man of Your Choice" - not any man, but one you might really want.

It seemed like a good idea at the time and, apparently, it was. Kent's book has never been out-of-print and is now available in 36 countries.

In its first day on sale in Russia, the book sold 600,000 copies.

All of which keeps Kent in a cheerful mood. She's just published an updated version, "How to Marry the Man of Your Choice" (Warner: $12.95) and she and her husband, Robert Feinschreiber, are driving around the country calling attention to the book.

What's the key?

"You've got to know what makes you happy and, then, look for someone who can give it to you," Kent explains.

To do that, you've got to be disciplined. Developing an "action plan" and following it is a key to success, she adds.

"You shop for food, clothing and more. Are you putting as much effort into selecting a man?"

Kent suggests looking at all aspects of the man. What is his attitude toward money, toward sex, toward religion, his goals, his threshold for pain and criticism.

"A lot of it has to do with things we don't even think about, like energy," Kent continued. "People have different energy levels and this difference is critical. You'll be better prepared if you know his energy levels and yours. Ideally, energy levels between spouses should be similar. Otehrwise, the more energetic person consider the partner a dud. . .The energy to which I'm referring is a force that relates to physical activities other than sex - dishwashing, exercise, food preparation, walking and so on."

Kent also suggests women consider talking little about themselves in early dates: "Don't waste time talking about yourself until you decide the man is a suitable mate for you."

Because, she says, choice is the important thing. "You really have to think about what you need. There's nothing wrong with what you want in life. You want someone who, at a minimum, won't stand in your way."

The big difference between today and when the book was first published, Kent said, is the Internet. She says the Internet makes finding the right spouse far easier than it might ever have been.

"You can meet anyone you want online. It gives you a chance to not face rejection, at least initially. It gives you a real opportunity to communicate with someone and to become comfortable with that person before you meet him and have emotions."