Customer Reviews

Intimate Friendships

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Quite possibly the definitive book on nonmonogamous relationships. No, not swinging, not affairs, not simple promiscuity -- this is a well-considered yet concise analysis of people who choose to take on the vastly rewarding burden of group marriage, polyamory, polyfidelity, intimate networks, or whatever you want to call it. Aside from his insight, Ramey has collected some remarkable and true-to-life stories. The greatest facet is that Ramey doesn't have an agenda: while he defends nonmonogamy as emotionally healthy behavior, he doesn't pull any punches when talking about how things can go bad.

My only complaints:
* it's long out of print
* there weren't many copies printed in the first place
* the collectibility & quality combine to make it a high-buck item -- this is a "must have"

This book analyzes all forms of human intimate relationships, from monogamy, to monogamy with adultery, to polygyny, polyandry and group relationships. It was written in the late 1970s before the current wave of politically correct constraints were imposed on original thinking. It is hard to deny his hypotheses and therefore his conclusions. As you recognize yourself then you can best understand what kind of relationship will best suit you. This book should have a wider audience.