What's Love Got to Do with It?: The Evolution of Human Mating

by Meredith Small

In this refreshingly down-to-earth exploration of human mating and sexuality, an acclaimed anthropologist looks at why we fall in love with the people we do. 

"A personal feminist take on the mating game." — Scientific American


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?

Genres: Nonfiction, Sexuality, Anthropology, Love, Science, Biology, Psychology

279 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Meredith F. Small is a science journalist, anthropologist, professor emerita Cornell University, and a visiting scholar at the University of Pennsylvania. Although well known for her award winning magazine writing, she is also the author of several trade books that take an anthropological look at parenting, sexuality, and mental illness. Her book Our Babies, Ourselves has been called a "cult classic" for parents, health professionals, and anyone interested in parenting styles. Meredith's latest book is"Inventing the World; Venice and the Transformation of Western Culture" ( Pegasus Books) is about a list of over 200 inventions and creative ideas that originated in Venice and how they affected our modern view.

Reviews

[Brianna Berrios · Rating 3 out of 5]

The topics covered were interesting & well-covered from an objective point of view, but I found it difficult to truly enjoy this booked largely due to its outdated nature. How society views sexuality has changed a lot since this book came out & the genetic explanation behind some of the author's arguments was a bit too low-level for my liking. A huge plus to the author for citing all he claims & sources, but the book took a while for me to red for a reason.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally greatly enjoyed this book! Small has a way of explaining the complexities of human sexuality, gender, and sex very clearly and simply. I especially enjoyed how engaged she keeps her audience, constantly asking questions and maintaining an unbiased perspective. She acknowledges all the counterarguments which I am thankful for. Would definitely recommend it to anyone, especially if you are interested in anthropology!

[grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

this took me a long time to finish but it was rly good! i learned lots about evo bio and also realized the shortcomings of the dps sex ed curriculum. i was scared for the chapter on homosexuality bc this was written in 1996 but i think her only shortcoming was saying same-sex sexual behavior in primates isn't homosexuality... why are we saying they don't meet (manmade!) definitions and aren't engaging in it for pleasure when we can't ask them !

[Dominic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and entertaining perspective of why humans behave as sexual beings. Quick and easy read with insight into masturbation, female orgasms, male orgasms, homosexuality and pornography. The patriarchal system has skewed sexuality as a more male endeavor yet it can be argued that female sexuality could have a stronger biological pull.

[Lauren Thornberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice feminist view of human sexuality, slightly outdated but still well-intentioned.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a hoot. Her writing is light, but her research is thorough. This was a fabulous book about how humans mate, why we choose the mates we do, female and male sexuality, homosexuality, and more. I loved it!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was informative and entertaining for the most part. The discussion of the internet, however, was painfully outdated.

[Donald Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of the coverd topics.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evolutionary psychology and attraction.