A History of the Wife

In A History of the Wife, acclaimed historian Marilyn Yalom delivers a sweeping and engaging narrative on how the status and role of the wife have transformed over thousands of years. Moving from ancient Greece, Rome, and biblical traditions through the Middle Ages, the Victorian era, and into the 21st century, Yalom examines how marriage shifted from a economic and strategic alliance to an institution centered on romantic love and mutual partnership. Rich in historical detail and personal accounts, this book offers a penetrating look at the legal, religious, and cultural forces that shaped women's lives inside the domestic sphere.

Because it offers a masterful cultural examination of how marriage and womanhood evolved, combining rigorous historical research with compelling personal narratives.

For readers of cultural and social history, scholars and students of gender studies, sociologists, and anyone interested in the history of family and marriage.