What's Love Got to Do with It? [Paperback]

Meredith Small (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1996

In this refreshingly down-to-earth exploration of human mating and sexuality, an acclaimed anthropologist looks at the fascinating intersection between the imperatives of our glands and genes, and the culture in which we live. Why do we fall in love with the people we do? Is there an alternative, more feminist, way to interpret traditional human sexual biology and evolution? These are but a few of the questions that anthropologist Meredith Small explores in her compelling book on human mating, What's Love Got to Do with It?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Anthropologist Small's feminist take on human sexuality examines the intersections of love and biology.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Small (anthropology, Cornell) has been studying and writing about sexual behavior for over a decade (Female Choices: Sexual Behavior of Female Primates, LJ 5/15/93). By analyzing how monkeys and baboons mate, she has begun to untangle the mysteries and mythology of human sexuality. For example, Small has found biological evidence to explain why many humans have difficulty with monogamy. She also draws interesting conclusions about love, lust, marriage, childbearing, menstruation, homosexuality, and what men and women actually desire in a mate. Though extensively documented and indexed, Small's text is still highly readable for general audiences. Recommended for both public and academic libraries.
A. Arro Smith, San Marcos P.L., Tex.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385477023
• ISBN-13: 978-0385477024
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #727,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Superficial approach to genetic psychology, April 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: What's Love Got to Do with It? (Paperback)

This is a very easy-to-read book on the genetic or evolutionary basis of sexual behavior. However, in an attempt to make the topic acceptable as a popular psychology piece of writing, the author's coverage of issues such as mating choices, sexual behavior, etc. is very bland and superficial.

The entire book is based on assertions not backed up by research. This leads the book to look like a compendium on urban folklore rather than an introduction to evolutionary psychology. The very superficial explanations given to topics such as "why humans is the only species whose females have developed breasts" or "why even married men masturbate" make a mockery of what properly researched genetics have found.

Anyone wishing to learn about evolutionary psychology applied to human sexual behaviour is recommended to read "The Evolution of Desire" by David Buss. Probably the best thing written for readers with limited background on the subject matter.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting thesis, but redundant to the point of boredom., August 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: What's Love Got to Do with It? (Paperback)

Small has an interesting thesis, but I found the book to be quite redundant, restating the same information over and over again in several chapters. In some cases the information changed when restated. As a scientist Small should be ashamed that she confuses millimeters (a measure of distance) with milliliters (a measure of volume) when discussing the amount of semen ejaculated. Her discussion of AIDS is also poorly done. For a book published in 1995, it is out of date on epidemiological and risk factor information. For example she fails to even mention that HIV can be transmitted through vaginal secretions and breast milk. In summary, I found this book very disappointing and would not recommend it.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, thoughtful and informative, April 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: What's Love Got to Do with It? (Paperback)

I found that this book balances scientific data, psychological research, the author's personal experiences and area of expertise, and cultural influences on human sexuality very well. The end result is a thoughtful discussion of human sexuality - why we have strong sexual urges, how millions of years of evolution still affect us today, some of the qualities people look for in mates, and so forth.

While there is a certain level of repetition in the book - which the author, I believe, does in order to stress her main points - I did not find it redundant or dull; instead, I found myself coming away from the book with a clear sense of her position, which is not always the case with books exploring scientific subjects and incorporating information from different disciplines. The concrete examples with which she illustrates her points are well chosen, and I also appreciated her honesty about her own limitations in describing male sexuality.

I truly enjoyed this book and learned a great deal from it, from the physiological changes that occur during sexual arousal to the complex interactions between culture and biology, the obsession with finding a 'cause' of male homosexuality and the possibility that AIDS may, in some manner, affect human evolution. I think that those looking for an accessible, thoughtful, broad and informative overview of human sexuality will find this particular book a fascinating and educating read, one I recommend highly.