The myth of monogamy : fidelity and infidelity in animals and people

This was overall a pretty decent book and it explained a lot of things on sexual selection. Key points: 1. It seems like we already knew a lot of this information. Was it really a secret that a majority of women are after a minority of men? Was it really a secret that women seek to maximize genetic quality and that men seek to maximize genetic quality? It seems like it took quite a few pages to say this. 2. The book could have been, say, 50 pages shorter and it would not have been diminished by much. Only a lot of twitter would have been cut out. 3. The book would start with an argument and then build it up only to show some number of examples that went against what had just been talked about before. On one hand, this came across as trying to show a reasoned case, but on the other it was unfocused and came across as babbling. It also led to questions such as: "Is there really a topic here at all?" With many thousands of species on the planet, it is very possible to take some number of selected examples and lash together and argument where none exists (Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy). The single major problem with this book was that it just wasn't as readable as it might have been. On one hand, it is likely that this topic is so broad that it might be very hard to make generalizations about what is or isn't expected. On the other hand, they could have restricted their focus to humans, but that might have made the book read like it was written by anthropologists. Overall, it was an OK book, but it just didn't come together for some je ne sais quoi reason. It's about worth a second hand purchase price.

using Modern Dna Technology, Biologists Can Trace Parenthood In Animals For The First Time. The Astonishing Results: Even Among Those Species Previously Thought To Be Monogamous, Cheating On Your Mate Is The Rule-for both Sexes. Find Out Why-and What It Means For Today's Families.

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husband And Wife For Nearly 25 Years, Barash (zoology; Psychology, U Of Washington) And Lipton (psychiatry) Take A Biological Look At What Is Generally A Moral Issue. They Present Information From The Biological Community To Investigate Whether Or Not Monogamy Is A Natural Form Of Relationship Among A Variety Of Non-human Species, Including Invertebrates, Insects, Bird And Mammals. They Discuss The Forms That Monogamy And Infidelity Take Among Non-human Species, And Possible Biological Reasons For, And Advantages Of, Various Relationship Behaviors. They Conclude That, While Monogamy May Be Natural To Some Species, For The Majority It Is Not; And They Find That Infidelity Is Initiated By Males And Females Alike. These Findings Are Used To Posit A Biological Explanation For Monogamy And Infidelity In Humans. The Book Is Written In An Accessible, Sometimes Humorous Style, While Striving To Offer A Serious, Scientifically- Based Explanation For What Is Generally An Emotional And Controversial Subject In Many Cultures. Annotation C. Book News, Inc., Portland, Or (booknews.com)

"Using the same DNA fingerprinting technology used in the courtroom, biologists have now been able to trace parenthood in animals for the first time with certainty. The results have been astonishing: Even among those species previously thought to be monogamous, cheating on your mate is common--for both sexes. In The Myth of Monogamy, David Barash and Judith Eve Lipton describe how this new research shows that there is simply no question whether sexual desire for multiple partners is 'natural.' It is. Similarly, there is no question of monogamy being 'natural.' It isn't. Armed with this evidence, scientists have also been able to explain such important questions as why animals (including humans) cheat, why the myth of monogamy was created in the first place, how men and women were sucked into the monogamy hoax, who stands to gain the most by perpetuating the myth of monogamy, and how big of a role procreation plays in the desire to have several sex partners. Finally, The Myth of Monogamy explores the implications of these dramatic new findings for humans, in terms of relationships, parenting, aggression, and more"--Publisher description Applying new research to sex in the animal world, esteemed scientists David P. Barash and Judith Eve Lipton dispel the notion that monogamy comes naturally. In fact, as The Myth of Monogamy reveals, biologists have discovered that for nearly every species, cheating is the rule -- for both sexes. Reviewing findings from the same DNA fingerprinting science employed in the courtroom, Barash and Lipton take readers from chickadee nests to chimpanzee packs to explain why animals cheat. (Some prostitute themselves for food or protection, while others strive to couple with genetically superior or multiple mates.) The Myth of Monogamy then illuminates the implications of these dramatic new findings for humans, in our relationships, as parents, and more. The Myth of Monogamy at last brings scientific insight into this emotionally charged aspect of the ultimate dating and marriage quandary. In 'The Myth of Monogamy', David Barash describes how new research investigating sex in the animal world concludes there is simply no question whether sexual desire for multiple partners is natural. It is Similarly, there is no question of monogamy being natural. It isn't A lighthearted survey of monogamy and its variations across the animal kingdom challenges the notion that monogamy occurs naturally, profiling examples of animal infidelity and the instincts behind animal sexual behavior. Reprint. 15,000 first printing. Anthropologist Margaret Mead once suggested that monogamy is the hardest of all human marital arrangements.