The Family in the Western World from the Black Death to the Industrial Age

"The Family in the Western World" proves to be a fast read that does not insult one's intelligence. The author knows how to grab the reader's attention with relevant detail, crisp writing and punctuated revelations of fact. Anyone who would like to learn more about how the institution of "family" has evolved over the centuries needs to read this book. Our culture's current angst over what constitutes a family might be ameliorated if the proponents of the various suggested types of families spend some time with this book learning about historical similarities and differences which can be either found or reflected or discounted in our practices. Those who hold the proposition that a valid marriage is made so by a presiding religious person might, perhaps, be surprised to discover that in Europe, when it was much more religious than it is today, the presence of a religious person conducting a wedding unto marriage was not required except in certain places and in certain times, mostly in the premodern/modern times. The bookDoor Number 1 is worth whatever the cost, is suitable for personal interest or college level study.