For Better For Worse: Essays on Sex, Love, Marriage, and More

by Neel Burton

We are the ultimate social animal. Our intimate relationships are the most important thing in our life, often, more important than life itself--insofar as we would die for those we love.

But at a time of unprecedented social and technological change, the path to the intimacy that we seek has been confused, leaving us more connected and yet more alone and uncertain than ever before.

Even if you have already chosen a destination, even if you have already set sail, this book should help you to navigate the storms and doldrums that lie ahead, and, more importantly, to question the very purpose and value of your journey.

A tour-de-force: erudite, funny, and even wise. --Prof Anthony Synott, author of The Body Social and Re-Thinking Men

Genres: Nonfiction

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2020

About the author

Dr Neel Burton is a psychiatrist, philosopher, and wine-lover who lives and teaches in Oxford, England. He is a Fellow of Green-Templeton College in the University of Oxford, and the winner of several book prizes including, the feather in his cap, a Best in the World Gourmand Award. His work features regularly in the likes of Aeon and Psychology Today and has been translated into several languages. When he is not reading or writing, or imbibing, he enjoys cooking, gardening, skiing, learning languages, visiting museums and gardens, and travelling, especially to wine regions.

His books include:

- The Meaning of Myth (Ancient Wisdom 1)
- Stoic Stories (Ancient Wisdom 2)
- The Gang of Three: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle (Ancient Wisdom 3)
- The Meaning of Madness (Ataraxia 1)
- Hide and Seek: The Psychology of Self-Deception (Ataraxia 2)
- Heaven and Hell: The Psychology of the Emotions (Ataraxia 3)

www.neelburton.com

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is nothing here other than some curated statistics, quotations and definitons. Technically a Home Depot has all of the things needed to build a home, but calling it a home is preposterous.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't go to sleep until I finished this, and the next thing I knew the sun was leaking over the hill! Burton's work is always so well-researched and includes cultural traditions on which I have never been previously educated. I'll be honest: there were plenty of things about this book that made me very sad for humanity, but that doesn't stop me from being glad to have read it.

[Wanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of Information....and Opinion

There is lots of good information in this book, but also a lot of opinions held by the author. About half way through the book I tired of his opinions. As the author, I suppose that's his right, but it's not why I read a book. I felt that the author went into too much detail in some chapters and not enough in others. I was expecting less of the history of the subject and more of the practical, current philosophies. That's not what you get here. The author has definitely done his research, but to me, this read more like a textbook than modern essays. I would only recommend this book if you're researching the subjects.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good collection of writings.

[Brenda L Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting essays..

[Laura Hanke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book. Am going to buy another, this time in paperback so that I can lend it out.

[Lan-Vy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t learn anything new out of this book.

[Huong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of things about relationships make sense with this book. I highlighted the most satisfying ideas.

[Darrell Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really like this title