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A History of Marriage: From Same Sex Unions to Private Vows and Common Law, the
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A History of Marriage: From Same Sex Unions to Private Vows and Common Law, the Surprising Diversity of a Tradition Hardcover - 2011

by Elizabeth Abbott


From the publisher

What does the "tradition of marriage" really look like? In A History of Marriage, Elizabeth Abbott paints an often surprising picture of this most public, yet most intimate, institution. Ritual of romance, or social obligation? Eternal bliss, or cult of domesticity? Abbott reveals a complex tradition that includes same-sex unions, arranged marriages, dowries, self-marriages, and child brides. Marriage--in all its loving, unloving, decadent, and impoverished manifestations--is revealed here through Abbott's infectious curiosity.

Details

  • Title A History of Marriage: From Same Sex Unions to Private Vows and Common Law, the Surprising Diversity of a Tradition
  • Author Elizabeth Abbott
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition NONE
  • Pages 464
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Seven Stories Press, New York
  • Date 2011-04-05
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9781609800888 / 1609800885
  • Weight 1.7 lbs (0.77 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.25 x 6.3 x 1.3 in (23.50 x 16.00 x 3.30 cm)
  • Themes
    • Topical: Family
  • Library of Congress subjects Marriage - History
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2011292479
  • Dewey Decimal Code 306.810

Media reviews

"Elizabeth Abbott has penned a masterpiece...a wide-ranging account of how the social intersects with many forms of the personal."—Ahmad Saidullah, author of Happiness and Other Disorders

"Deftly shows how this always fragile, yet always resilient institution has evolved. It's not always a pretty picture but it's a fascinating one."—Judith Timson, author of Family Matters

"No thoughtful person—married, celibate, unfaithful or otherwise—should be without this book."—Mark Kingwell, author of The World We Want

"This book is like taking a centuries-long, world-wide trip down a petal-strewn aisle, and I loved it. If you enjoy a good wedding, are first in line to dance The Hora, or you've divorced yourself from boring reads, then find A History of Marriage."—Long Island Pulse

"[A History of Marriage] weaves stories and facts in a kind of loosely fluid narrative that makes pleasant reading. The author has a flair for sweetening the facts with her palatable style."—Kirkus


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Citations

  • Choice, 12/01/2011, Page 0
  • Kirkus Reviews, 03/01/2011, Page 0

About the author

Born in Montreal in 1942, ELIZABETH ABBOTT is a writer, lecturer and historian whose interests range across women's issues, social justice, the humane treatment of animals, and the environment. She holds a doctorate from McGill University in 19th century history. With the 2010 publication of A History of Marriage, Abbott completed her trilogy about human relationships, which includes the previous titles A History of Celibacy and A History of Mistresses. Abbott is also the author of several books and articles on the culture and politics of Haiti. Sugar: A Bittersweet History, inspired by her Antiguan heritage, was short-listed for the 2009 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction. Abbott has lived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and now resides in Toronto.
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