Marriage, a History
Book description
Just when the clamor over "traditional" marriage couldn’t get any louder, along comes this groundbreaking book to ask, "What tradition?" In Marriage, a History, historian and marriage expert Stephanie Coontz takes readers from the marital intrigues of ancient Babylon to the torments of Victorian lovers to demonstrate how recent the…
Why read it?
1 author picked Marriage, a History as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Today, most people marry for love, or at least hope to marry for love. However, the idea of the love match as the preferred form of marriage is a relatively recent development. In Marriage a History, Stephanie Coontz tells the story of marriage’s transformation from an economic arrangement into an emotional one and covers everything from caveman unions to the modern fight for same-sex marriage. The book is filled with colorful examples and amusing anecdotes, such as the story of one aristocratic mother’s dismay when her son actually falls in love with his intended bride (she worries this will…
From Marcia's list on the history of love and marriage.
Want books like Marriage, a History?
Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 91 books like Marriage, a History.
![Book cover of Shapely Ankle Preferr'd: A History of the Lonely Hearts Ad [1695-2010]](https://res.cloudinary.com/hzpwrwfdi/image/upload/w_220/media/covers/61-5BRaHc3L_uyqt7s.webp "Book cover of Shapely Ankle Preferr'd: A History of the Lonely Hearts Ad [1695-2010]")
Browse books like Marriage, a History
5 book lists we think you will like!
Interested in marriage, same-sex marriage, and Babylon?
10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about marriage, same-sex marriage, and Babylon.