Коротка історія кохання

by Liat Yakir

Коротка історія кохання. Що нас приваблює, як ми закохуємось… Тема кохання захоплює людство від самого початку його існування. Це почуття штовхає нас на неймовірні вчинки — героїчні й безкорисливі, проте часом і на відчайдушні… Але що саме стоїть за симпатією, коханням і сексуальним потягом? Попри загальне захоплення, більшість з нас досить мало знає про механізм цих захопливих почувань. У сучасному цифровому світі, коли ми маємо доступ до величезної вибірки потенційних партнерів на відстані кількох кліків, як ніколи важливо зрозуміти науку кохання — причини наших симпатій, послідовність вибору правильного партнера та правила збереження почуттів з плином часу.

Біологиня Ліат Якір веде нас у подорож еволюцією кохання, показуючи важливість гормонів, нейронів і генів, які визначають, у кого ми будемо закохуватися, а кого — відкидати. Ця книга — захопливе дослідження, яке відкриває завісу заплутаного світу романтичних стосунків. Завдяки поєднанню наукових досліджень, гумору і культурних спостережень авторка заглиблюється в складну взаємодію біології, психології та соціології, на перетині яких і формується наш досвід кохання. Від еволюційного походження сексуального потягу до сучасних викликів збереження довгострокових стосунків — ця книга дасть читачам всебічне розуміння сил, що впливають на справи любовні.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Relationships

336 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[RiRi💌 (back in January) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘶𝘴 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯.“
💌

This book guides you in on a fascinating journey to the science of love by thoroughly analyzing the connections between hormones, relationships, emotions and genes. Also if u want to improve your relationships this is perfect for you!!🫂


This book truly felt like therapy; everything was so well explained and written. I could understand almost everything. From the moment I saw the cover I KNEW that I’m going to like this!!🥹💕

💌
!!!𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 & 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗰 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄!!!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brief history of love is an insightful book that focuses on the science behind the concept of love. Exploring the psychological theories with biological insights, Dr. Liat Yakir's revolutionary book lays the foundational and elucidate groundwork that advocates the reasons behind craving and falling in love and the consequential feelings of belongingness and intimacy.

One of many facets that I admire about this book is the author has described the topics in a well explained manner rather than compressing it to give a skim over the version. The bandwidth of conduct investigations into the topic of love speaks volumes about the dedication and commitment that the author has shown in the entire perspective of her book. At the heart of these emotions is the release of certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, amongst others, that play a crucial role in forming and maintaining intimate relationships

The book encompasses science- backed explanations and research that extensively explored love on a biological, chemical and evolutionary level. There are several cultural aspects highlighted along with the scientific information and experiments about relationships, attraction and emotions. Another topic that caught my attention was the biology of sexual orientation and the research that are still in the beginning stages, highlighting the evolutionary survival advantages. Also, you will understand a research - based toolbox which is aptly titled as "Dr. Liat Yakir's scientific prescription for preserving conjugal love."

In conclusion, love represents a dynamic interplay between biological mechanisms and psychological frameworks however it is never limited. Understanding love through these scientific frameworks not only enriches our appreciation for this profound emotion but also makes us feel fulfilled and aligned.

[Kat Rybalko · Rating 5 out of 5]

12 з 10⭐️ нонфікшн про те, як працює наша біологія, коли ми закохуємося. Авторка пояснює простими словами, як гормони, еволюція й мозок впливають на потяг, вибір партнера, закоханість, розчарування тощо. Є розділи про прихильність, ревнощі, хімію тіла, несвідомі сигнали й те, чому ми часто робимо нелогічні речі в стосунках або задля стосунків.

Книга про механізми типу як “налаштована” людина з точки зору біології і чому мозок робить щось саме так. Читається легко, багато прикладів і наукових фактів без зайвої складності.

Якщо ви все ще сумніваєтесь або не готові братися за всю книгу, раджу прочитати або послухати хоча б останній розділ із висновками. Плюс вона є в аудіоформаті 😄

[Maryam Same · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب يتكلم عن الحب /الاعجاب / العلاقات من وجه نظر علميه فلسفيه بحته

[Olesia Tvardovska · Rating 3 out of 5]

All you need is loove, as the Beatles sang 😉
This book left me with mixed feelings: on the one hand, it offers fascinating experiments and scientific insights into the nature of love; on the other — there's quite a bit of general content that dilutes the focus. I’d have preferred a more condensed version — packed with facts, lighter on the fluff.
The strongest impression came from the comparisons with the animal world. Looking at love through the lens of biology — bonobos and all — was unexpectedly captivating. While some chapters felt a bit dense, the practical tips in the final sections were a nice touch and offered a few things worth noting down.

💌 Bonus love advice from the book:
🤍 Argue naked (yep — oxytocin!)
🫂 Hug for at least 20 seconds to let it fully kick in
🍽️ Planning a romantic dinner? Skip the fast food — instead, go for:
🐟 Fish, 🍫 chocolate, 🌶️ chili peppers, 🍓 strawberries, 🌰 almonds, 🎃 pumpkin seeds, 🍉 watermelon, and 🍯 honey.

📵 And maybe put your phone down: studies show that couples where one partner is glued to their phone are 30% more likely to break up.

[_booksagsm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liat Yakir’s A Brief History of Love provides a compelling exploration of love through the lenses of biology, chemistry, and evolution. Published in 2024, the book unravels the intricate mechanisms behind human attraction, attachment, and relationships. By investigating the roles of hormones, genetics, and emotions, Yakir delivers an insightful, research-backed perspective on one of life’s most fundamental experiences.

The book thoroughly examines the science behind love, breaking it down into essential elements such as attraction, mate selection, and the neurological and hormonal changes that occur when people fall in love. It also explores how romantic relationships evolve over time, offering practical insights through Dr. Liat Yakir’s scientific prescription for preserving conjugal love. Key hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin are explained in detail, showcasing their influence on emotions, intimacy, childbirth, marriage, and conflict resolution. Furthermore, the book integrates cultural and evolutionary perspectives, highlighting how societal norms and biological imperatives shape love and relationships.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging. Yakir’s writing is both enlightening and relatable, making the subject matter easy to grasp for a broad audience. The comprehensive approach—blending biology, chemistry, and evolutionary science—offers a well-rounded perspective that is both intellectually stimulating and practically useful. Moreover, A Brief History of Love serves as a valuable resource for those looking to enhance their relationships by understanding the scientific foundations of attraction and attachment.

[Mahi Aggarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

We often think of love as just an emotion, but when you explore the science behind it, you realize how deeply our bodies influence the way we feel. A Brief History of Love by Liat Yakir is a real game-changer—an unexpected yet fascinating read that made me rethink what love truly is.

This book delves into the biology, chemistry, and evolution of love, revealing how genes, hormones, and the brain shape our emotions and relationships. It explains why we are attracted to certain people, how the brain processes love, and how to sustain meaningful connections over time. However, before diving into this book, having a basic understanding of biological terms can be helpful.

I loved this book in many ways. It’s insightful, eye-opening, and brings a fresh perspective to something we often take for granted. If you’re curious about the science of love and want to understand its deeper mechanisms, this book is a must-read.

[Prishanti Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a rather emotional person who was an actual hopeless romantic, this book changed my perspective on love in so many ways. Backed by research & theories and with a language that’s easy to grasp, this book explains about love from evolution & biological point of view - logical & answers so many questions. Will definitely re-read!

[Nguyet Minh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cuốn này nói nhiều về bản chất, bản năng giống đực - cái của con người, và liên hệ tương quan ở các động vật.
Từ đó tạo ra những hành vi trong mối quan hệ nam - nữ.
Các phân tích ví dụ cũng khá thú vị và logic.

[Anastasiia S · Rating 5 out of 5]

хоча біологія сильно впливає на нас, ми не є її рабами. "Розуміти щось означає звільнитися від цього" сказано у висновках книги. Тож, розуміючи механізми роботи гормонів, генів та інших біологічних складових, маємо більше інформації для прийняття рішень щодо своєї поведінки.

мені книга сподобалася.

Слухала аудіо українською в додатку "Абук"

[Sandra Niko · Rating 4 out of 5]

гарна книга, цікава інформація про те як ми кохаємо та як краще комунікувати з партнером. після 28, той кого ви першим зустрінете, хто кращий за середнє значення, з тим і зустрічайтесь

[Anastasiia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book that describes all processes that occur in our brain when we fall in love, the impact of different hormones in all situations such as falling in love, giving birth, marrying or fighting etc. But the majority of experiments described in book were conducted mostly on men. As I understood it, even in our century scientists are not very interested in studying the female brain. Unfortunately.

[Natalka Moroz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things I didn’t like which subtracted one star from my review:
- Chapter about origins of same sex love very weak and lacks any useful insights.
- Traditional nuclear family is still suggested as only one and superior way to do relationships.

“But otherwise it was quite lovely insightful book about emotions, love and chemistry of attraction” I thought when I just finished it. Lots and lots of cited studies, easy to read and digest, exciting topic of discussion - everything you need to enjoy a book. Right? Well… almost.

By coincidence next book I read after this one was Sex at dawn (published 14 years before this one) which takes every single study mentioned in Brief history and busts it completely revealing the weaknesses of studies, the biased scientist’s approach and just shows how easy to make wrong conclusions and manipulate with public opinion.

Minus one more stars.

[Maykala · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Brief History of Love’s title instantly grabbed my attention. I have to admit I went into it as a total romantic expecting to read about long lasting love. Instead, this book takes a scientific approach to the concept of love. It takes the science of genes and hormones to explain how we fall in love and how we maintain romantic relationships, especially after having children. I will admit, A Brief History of Love does make love seem finite and rare. It is important to remember the fact that while this book focuses on the science behind love, it deals less with the free will we have as human beings to choose who we love and the effort we put into maintaining relationships. If you want to consider love from a scientific perspective, this means coming to terms with the false idea of a one true love. This book will give you all the ammunition you need to never settle down and avoid choosing one person to love and rely on, if that is something you desire. On the other hand, Yakir does also give advice on how to make love long lasting.

While I was hoping for something more heartfelt and romantic, this book does paint a very interesting picture of the history of love. It talks about the science of love, sex, gender norms and more. This book is interesting and talks about love in a very real and informative way. Like I said, if you are a romantic and you expect to hear about long lasting and committed relationships, this information argues how rare and uncommon these relationships can be, but the author argues that knowing the science behind love can help us understand our relationships better.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a interesting nonfiction read!

*e-ARC provided by publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

[MsV · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Brief History of Love: What Attracts Us, How We Fall in Love and Why Biology Screws it All Up" by Liat Yakir offers a fascinating exploration into the intricate world of human attraction and romantic relationships. With a blend of scientific research, personal anecdotes, and cultural insights, Yakir delves into the complex interplay of biology, psychology, and social dynamics that shape our experiences of love. From the evolutionary origins of attraction to the modern challenges of sustaining long-term relationships, this book provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the forces at play in matters of the heart. Yakir's writing is both engaging and thought-provoking, offering fresh perspectives on timeless questions about love and intimacy. "A Brief History of Love" is a compelling read that will appeal to anyone interested in unraveling the mysteries of human connection and the complexities of the heart.

[Jonathan Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book. Explains many things that we have all experienced. Perhaps some of this is known by many but this book works well in focusing on the science behind human behaviour at a level that is applicable and accessible. Now I know why all those things happened!!