Used book: *The History of Marriage: A Detailed Description and Multi-Perspective Interpretation of the Institution of Marriage* [80% new]

Shortlisted for Canada's highest national award, the Governor General's Literary Award

Unfolding against a vast historical backdrop, yet rich in vivid detail, as captivating as marriage itself.

A historical tapestry of love, sex, vows, divorce, race, money, weddings...

From ancient times to the present, marriage has undoubtedly been one of the most important human relationships. Therefore, the author says: "Our society always laments that marriage is a dying institution, but the reality is that most of us get married, and often remarry. In researching and organizing the material, I was frequently astonished by the immense changes from the past to the present – and even by those things that have not changed much."

A History of Marriage not only brilliantly recounts the past, but also attempts to explain and analyze the state of marriage today. The author's ambition is to identify and discuss the most important issues related to the development of marriage. In other words, the subtext of A History of Marriage is the connection between past and present, what marriage used to be and what it has become.

This book is broad yet focused, sharply critical yet hopeful, both wise and informative, and written in a witty and mischievous style, leading us to deeply observe and reflect on human behavior and individual lives. The author is a delightful storyteller, with new insights and interesting anecdotes scattered throughout the book, making it unforgettable.

With passion and curiosity, the author vividly presents the most public yet most private of relationships – the stories of men and women – between the lines.

What does "marriage" truly mean for humanity and for each individual? The acclaimed historian Elizabeth Abbott views it as a legal, customary, and religious institution, and explores the truth of marriage in terms of love and responsibility, sex and fidelity, parenting and cohabitation, shared economic burden, and social recognition, touching upon same-sex unions, arranged marriages, dowries, self-marriage, child marriage, and marital rituals.

What other choices do spouses have besides being together? How long does a marriage that ends in death last on average? What kind of daily lives do husbands in trousers and wives in skirts lead? How common was it for men to deny women the right to vote, control their money, gain custody of their children, and commit adultery with impunity? What were the standards and realities of household management? How was food prepared? What were divorce laws like when divorce was still rare? What were the experiences of marriage for the rich and the poor, respectively? What problems does marriage face today after shedding ancient rules? What is the future of human marriage?

Deep praise for A History of Marriage

Can we truly understand celibacy or extramarital affairs without considering the essence of marriage – the social and sexual union and the traditional view of love? Elizabeth Abbott's new book, from the perspective of social history, completes a brilliant trilogy on human intimacy. As always, her writing is both wise and informative, with a witty and mischievous style that helps us to understand ourselves more deeply. Any thoughtful person – whether married, single, or questioning – should read this book.

—Mark C. Kingwell, author of In Pursuit of Utopia and Glenn Gould: A Great Canadian

Whether you view marriage as hell or heaven, an outdated institution or a life's ideal, Elizabeth Abbott, with her investigative historical pen, shows readers the development of a marital system that is both fragile and resilient. The picture of marriage is not always beautiful, but it has always been captivating.

—Judith Timson, author of Family Matters

I love this book. Elizabeth Abbott is a delightful storyteller who wisely recognizes that we can only understand the changing nature of marriage if we understand the evolving nature of singlehood.

—Bella DePaulo, author of Singled Out

Elizabeth Abbott has written a masterpiece... A History of Marriage is extensive, reflecting society's impact on different forms of individual life, and is a work that many readers will appreciate.

—Ahmed Saidullah, author of Happiness and Other Chaos

Elizabeth Abbott, with her brilliant ability to select examples and her unique wisdom and approachability, skillfully elucidates the past and present of marriage, discovering astonishing similarities between our past and present, and offering suggestions to help future marital institutions. A History of Marriage is broad yet focused, sharply critical yet hopeful, and, like the institution of marriage it brings to life, its quality is guaranteed.

—Susan Crean, author of The Book of This and That

Captivating. Elizabeth Abbott's book contains a wealth of fascinating information about the past and present of marriage. Marriage is by no means an unchanging romantic ritual; you should know its past. Romance? Not at all.

—Maureen Jennings, author of the Murdoch Mysteries series

Like any marriage, this book is full of surprises. Elizabeth Abbott's focus on the knots that bind many of us is lively and insightful. This is a must-read.

—Catherine Dunphy, author of Morgentaler: A Difficult Hero

Praise for Elizabeth Abbott's other works

Ambitious... Her research is detailed and comprehensive. She is good at connecting facts, not only describing the successes and failures of people's lives centuries ago, but also allowing readers to understand their daily lives. She makes us... eager to know more.

—The Columbus Dispatch

Elizabeth Abbott uses her insight to combine anthropology and history... Abbott's clear and exciting work depicts life and its inevitabilities... Her most touching and striking achievement is never taking the beaten path, never choosing a didactic or clichéd writing style. Like all good historical works, her books are a guide for readers to understand an unfamiliar world.

—The Guardian

Interesting, captivating, and often thought-provoking.

—The Gazette (Montreal)

Ambitious and broad in scope.

—The New Yorker

A rich, dramatic, and compelling history.

—The Globe and Mail