The Myth of Monogamy

"The Myth of Monogamy provides a fascinating tour of human mating strategies, from monogamy to sexual treachery, from exclusivity to polygamy. Barash and Lipton brilliantly locate human mating within the broader spectrum of mating strategies pursued by other species. The book is gripping from start to finish, solid in its science, and literary in its flair. It's one of the best books written about why humans covet, why commandments are broken, and why men and women get into deep conflicts over mating."—David M. Buss, Ph.D., author of The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating and The Dangerous Passion: Why Jealousy is as Necessary as Love and Sex

"I read this book cover to cover—like a novel—not wanting to put it down, not wanting to miss even one deliciously naughty insect or bird figuring out how to 'have it all.' The authors have written a smart, intriguing, witty, nonsexist, provocative yet careful book about the realities of both male and female animal, and perhaps human, 'infidelity.' I have to say I felt a little proud of that devious lady bird who got her mate to sit on the eggs while she went behind his back (just as he had gone behind hers!). Nature's morality is different from our own—and Barash and Lipton are cautious about their extrapolations to humans . . . still, it is fascinating to see how reproductive fitness may be the ultimate cause of all those steamy soap operas and country western lyrics."—Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., author of Everything You Know About Love and Sex is Wrong

"The revelation that social pair-bonds do not necessarily imply exclusive mating relationships has spurred a revolution in how scientists think about mating systems. This book explores when and why social and sexual monogamy often do not coincide."—Paul W. Sherman, Professor of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University

"A highly readable, light-hearted survey of monogamy and its variations across the animal kingdom."—Nature

"Written in an accessible, sometimes humorous style, while striving to offer a serious, scientifically-based explanation for what is generally an emotional and controversial subject in many cultures."—Book News

"Scores of examples, and the scientific explanations for each . . . bolster the authors' contention that genetic monogamy is not 'natural.' The implications for our own species, where the moral teachings of culture and religion clash with our biological imperatives, fill perhaps the most interesting chapter."—Booklist