Customer Reviews

Plural Marriage for Our Times: A Reinvented Option?

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Dr. Kilbride's well-researched analysis of the practice of plural marriage is an important step toward rethinking our outlook on how people are "supposed to" relate. His extensive background in polygamy as it is practiced in African cultures is both an asset and a liability, unfortunately. By focussing too greatly on the African experience, he lessens the value of his work to Western readers. His personal ambivalence shows through at times, too, especially in the mildness of his "advocacy" near the end. Still, he looks at this "taboo" approach to relating from the sociological, biological, and ethical/religious views, and helps knock down some of the preconceived notions about the "preeminence" of monogamy.

Despite Dr. Kilbride's "circumspection" in his recommendations, this book is well worth reading for both the academic and general public with an interest in alternatives to conventional monogamy in response to the dramatically changed social, political, and economic circumstances of the 21st century.

Kilbride's book is both interesting and provocative. In the best anthropological fashion, Kilbride uses an examination of cultural patterns in other societies to get us to think more profoundly and objectively about our own society. He has to be admired for taking on a very tough issue, polygamy, or plural wives, something most Americans have a definitely negative attitude toward. That's partly why Kilbride wrote the book, to get people to rethink not just polygamy, but what the insistence on monogamy, with its 50% divorce rate, is doing to American children. Challenge yourself: meet Kilbride's arguments with rational rebuttal. The book is not over long and would be a great read in a wide range of social science classes.

This is perhaps one of the most informative books which I have read on this topic. It is filled with exact references and examples, complete w/ citings that can be further researched by the reader.
There are two major drawbacks with this book. First off it reads like an academic dissertation or thesis work. It is slow and tedious for the reader. If you are looking for something to read in your spare time for fun only, you will be disappointed. If you are looking for "just the facts", this is your book.
Secondly, as stated above, it seems that the author's primary focus is African tribal practice. I was hoping for a little more Western (or perhaps modern) references. However many of his tribal examples were enlightening.
Overall, if you are really wanting a factual writing on this topic, Buy It.
If you are wanting something to pass the time at beach, Pass.

As a supporter of polygamy, I was quite intrigued by Dr. Kilbride's book. As mentioned by other readers, this is not a book for entertainment. But it is very informitive. He covers not only the history of polygamy, both in the West as well as Africa, but also why this very common lifestyle disappeared from the landscape seemingly overnight. I certainly learned quite a bit, not only about my own history, but about the mechinisms that make polygamy viable, even today. Dr. Kilbride is not a practicing polygamist, so it was nice to see some objective work done ins a positive light. If you are looking for answers, or just curious how someone whould choose to live this way, this is a good place to start.