Marriage, a History, Stephanie Coontz
Marriage, a History, Stephanie Coontz
1 Rating(s)
List: $21.99 | Sale: $15.39
Club: $10.99

Marriage, a History
How Love Conquered Marriage

Author: Stephanie Coontz

Narrator: Callie Beaulieu

Unabridged: 15 hr 33 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/21/2016

Synopsis

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 listeners from the marital intrigues of ancient Babylon to the torments of Victorian lovers to demonstrate how recent the idea of marrying for love is—and how absurd it would have seemed to most of our ancestors. It was when marriage moved into the emotional sphere in the nineteenth century, she argues, that it suffered as an institution just as it began to thrive as a personal relationship. This enlightening and hugely entertaining book brings intelligence, perspective, and wit to today's marital debate.

About Stephanie Coontz

Stephanie Coontz teaches history and family studies at the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. She also serves as director of research and public education at the Council on Contemporary Families. Her work has been featured in newspapers such as the New York Times, as well as scholarly journals such as Journal of Marriage and Family, and she is frequently interviewed on national television and radio.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Shaun on July 28, 2015

I borrowed this book from our local library. It wasn't recommended or out on display, and I honestly am not sure why I picked it up, but I'm glad I did. Jammed packed with interesting tidbits, Coontz has put together a tremendous history of marriage, which in the process examines not only the evoluti......more

Goodreads review by Jessica on September 30, 2015

And to think I could have taken a course with Stephanie Coontz back in the day when I was a student at The Evergreen State College... Alas, I was not interested in the history of the family then. Now as a Lit prof., how I wish I had. Teaching works like 'Trifles,' 'A Doll House,' 'The Yellow Wallpape......more

Goodreads review by Abbey on January 21, 2012

If you don't have time to read this amazing academic history of marriage, here is the Cliffnotes version: "traditional marriage" lol Her treatment of Victorian-era sexuality and marriage was absolutely riveting. You can skip ahead to that part, I won't judge you. My only complaint (and it's a small,......more

Goodreads review by Kimba on December 22, 2017

This book may be of interest to those who have not studied the history of marriage in the western world. Certainly, it offers a good overview of how the institution of marriage has changed and adapted over the centuries in response to larger cultural, political, and socioeconomic changes. However, t......more

Goodreads review by Charlene on November 22, 2018

I am not sure I agree or disagree with this authors take on the original purpose of marriage -- whether it was to gain alliances with in-laws, to suppress and exploit women, to enter into a partnership of resources, etc -- but the history she provided was outstanding!......more

Add to Cart
Add to Wish List