As the title says this book explores the long history of marriage. Even though it's quite a thick book it is very easy to read. Every time I picked it up I was drawn in and found it hard to put it back down. Each chapter deals with a different time period and the marriage customs thereof. The author has a wonderful way with words and makes her historical observations very accessible and lively. She also dispels some common marriage myths such as the notion that marriage first developed because women needed a provider and protection.
Definitely a worthwhile read! ( )

I had been quite excited to read this book--a fascinating topic, glowing reviews, a promising first chapter. I have to admit that I finished feeling more than a little disappointed. Coontz is tackling an amazingly large idea--the history of marriage--and perhaps one that is too large to pursue to the depth that a reader would want. Though filled with interesting tidbits of trivia, and covering the major societal changes, I was struck more by what was left out than what was included. The text is almost entirely Western-centric, with discussion of Asian, African, and Native American cultures limited mostly to brief mentions in the endnotes. In a text meant to challenge the concept of a "traditional marriage," I expected much more discussion of homosexual relationships throughout history, and was shocked that the topic was scarcely mentioned until the final few chapters.

This is not to say that the book is without merit. Coontz has a light, approachable writing style that the non-historian will enjoy reading, and her endnotes are thorough enough for the reader looking for more depth. ( )

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