ELI FINKEL on the “All-or-Nothing Marriage”

If you think you know all there is to marriage, don’t be afraid to put that to the test. Brookline Booksmith welcomes ELI J. FINKEL, professor at Northwestern University, to read from and discuss his book The All-or-Nothing Marriage.

The institution of marriage in America is struggling, but— as FINKEL’s most recent research reveals— the best marriages today are better than the best marriages of earlier eras.  FINKEL provides a sweeping historic overview, showing that the primary functions of marriage from 1620 to 1850 revolved around food, shelter, and protection from violence.  From 1850 to 1965, the primary functions increasingly revolved around love, companionship, and sexual fulfillment.  Nowadays, a new kind of marriage has emerged, one that can promote self-discovery, self-esteem, and personal growth like never before.

This event is free and open to the public.