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| A Natural History Of Love | 
| Author: Diane Ackerman
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy Used: $0.19
You Save: $14.76 (99%)
New (34) Collectible (2) from $4.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 301041
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 384
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.9
ISBN: 0679761837
Dewey Decimal Number: 306.7
EAN: 9780679761839
ASIN: 0679761837
Publication Date: February 21, 1995
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 A true treasure & a staple of your library April 9, 2002
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
This book is amazing. If you haven't read Ackerman before, I suggest starting with _A Natural History of the Senses_. Then read this book. Ackerman is a very talented writer. Even if the subject isn't entirely interesting, her words and their rhythms are. This subject, however, is very interesting. Ackerman muses on myths (such as Dido) and history (such as Napoleon and Josephine), but also explores instincts and preferences (why women love horses and the influence of pheromones). This book is romantic, historical, sexual, poetic, challenging, and completely beautiful.
As Addictive as Love Itself January 24, 2002
13 out of 14 found this review helpful
I first heard Diane Ackerman talking about this book on an NPR talkshow. I was so impressed that I went out and bought a copy that day. I was not disappointed. Ackerman's human, non-academic yet poetic style is immediately accessible and almost hynotic at times. Coupled with an interesting, universal subject matter, it makes this a book worth reading and reading again. Closing this book is, in many ways, like closing the door on a love affair: you wish it wouldn't end, but you have fond memories. The plus with this book is that you can do it all over again, and again, and again.
 Love through the ages... May 21, 2001
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
This book is not only a natural history of love, but also an important look at the psychological development of Western man. Ackerman doesn't really delve into Eastern or tribal love rites (only briefly and then simply by conjecture at the beginning). She does go in depth into the phenomina of Courtly Love. I particularly enjoyed a few Greek and Egyptian love poems written thousands of years ago. It makes one realize that even though technology advances, empires rise and fall, the fundimental nature or human psyche---particularly in regards to love, is a classic and timeless pursuit. This book made me want to love more deeply.
Ackerman's best! May 28, 2000
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
This is easily Ackerman's best work to date and actually the first book of her's that I read. She was initially introduced to me when I read a chapter of this book in an anthropology class in college. I quickly rushed out and purchased the whole thing. It is an account of love through the ages and how and why we, as humans, are affected by and experience love. I am not sure why one reviewer found it was unresearched! It is clear that Ackerman spent much time researching and collecting information on a large and ambiguous concept. Highly recommended!
Love May 24, 2000
1 out of 7 found this review helpful
I fell in love with this book as soon as I opened it to the first page. It's so incredibly orgasmic and the way she describes love just helps make everything make sense. It works, it really does.
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