Rating: 
Summary: Thought provoking enlightenment
Review: I have now read this book twice and both times I find myself looking at great scholarship. However, there is something missing. Boswell elucidates marriage history extraordinarily well, and his citations to same-sex unions are remarkable. There was no silver bullet that clearly and convincingly ties the same sex ceremonies he cites to the kind of same-sex relationship that parallels heterosexual marriage. We must remember that the concepts of homosexual and heterosexual did not exist in pre-modern Europe. They are a product of hte 19th century. Nonetheless, Bosell's scholarship is a delight to read, and raises excellent questions about our past.
Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking enlightenment
Review: I have now read this book twice and both times I find myself looking at great scholarship. However, there is something missing. Boswell elucidates marriage history extraordinarily well, and his citations to same-sex unions are remarkable. There was no silver bullet that clearly and convincingly ties the same sex ceremonies he cites to the kind of same-sex relationship that parallels heterosexual marriage. We must remember that the concepts of homosexual and heterosexual did not exist in pre-modern Europe. They are a product of hte 19th century. Nonetheless, Bosell's scholarship is a delight to read, and raises excellent questions about our past.
Rating: 
Summary: The book which destroyed Boswell's reputation
Review: In this book, which was not well received by scholars, Boswell deals with two entirely different types of surviving documents. One is the relatively unknown "making of brothers" ceremony, which made two men brothers in Christ -- with no sexual implications at all.The other document type is a simple wedding ceremony, meant to be used between men and women. Amazingly, Boswell confuses or conflates these two totally different types of document! It is almost impossible to explain why Boswell reproduced a "brothers" ceremony in four sections, and then somehow appended a traditional heterosexual wedding ceremony as sections five and six of the "brothers" ceremony. He either made an incredible blunder, or was trying to pull wool over people's eyes....
Rating:
Summary: Anything will pass for scholarship
Review: In this work, Boswell argues that rituals for the binding of two males (in Eastern Christendom) between the 12th and 16th centuries is evidence of the support for same-sex marriages in earlier Christianity. This is yet another example of a scholar misinterpreting historical facts in order to serve an agenda.
Robert L. Wilken, Professor of the History of Christianity at the University of Virginia, wrote an excellent critique of Boswell's work. The article is entitled "Procrustean marriage beds" and is found in Vol. 121 of Commonweal, 09-09-1994, pp 24. It is also on the web (do a google/yahoo search).
Here's an excerpt:
On an initial reading these rituals appear similar to marriage ceremonies. They refer to the joining of two people in life-long relationship, they speak of a bond of peace and love and oneness of mind, they include ritual actions that parallel those of marriage ceremonies. Yet there are certain features of the rituals that are unlike marriage ceremonies. For example, the texts make it clear that the relation of the participants is spiritual not carnal ("by faith and spiritually"), there is no mention of the marriage bed, the term "marriage" is not used (as it is in marriage rites), the biblical readings are different from those used in marriage ceremonies, several of the rites, significantly, indicate that the relationship is that of an "elder" to a "younger," and the persons joined in the ceremonies are males.
Wilken then continues with specific examples. It turns out that, as Wilken states, "What these rituals solemnize is not 'gay marriages' but a form of ritualized friendship between males that had been practiced in the Eastern Mediterranean since the time of Homer." And, of course, Wilken proceeds to support this and gives reason for why this was done. His article is an excellent read.
For those Christians who promote the affirmation of homosexual practice, this book is too good to be true. Alas, it turns out that such is the case.
Rating:
Summary: Must read for anyone talking about "traditional" marriage
Review: The other reviews cover most of the issues with this book admirably. One could have appropriately, but less titilatingly, retitled the book "Unions in Pre-Modern Europe", since his study was fairly balanced between two-sex and same-sex unions. It is certainly an eye-opener for those of the "traditional" marriage hue and cry. "Traditional" marriage as we see it today was unknown until the late middle ages, although that sort of union among same-sex couples was known from the earliest. The church did not recognize marriage as a sacrament until about 800 years ago. Those today who speak of traditional marriage need to read their history to know whereof they speak. I found his writing immensely readable and enjoyable. Although I have not yet read his first work, it is certainly now on my list.
Rating:
Summary: Must read for anyone talking about "traditional" marriage
Review: The other reviews cover most of the issues with this book admirably. One could have appropriately, but less titilatingly, retitled the book "Unions in Pre-Modern Europe", since his study was fairly balanced between two-sex and same-sex unions. It is certainly an eye-opener for those of the "traditional" marriage hue and cry. "Traditional" marriage as we see it today was unknown until the late middle ages, although that sort of union among same-sex couples was known from the earliest. The church did not recognize marriage as a sacrament until about 800 years ago. Those today who speak of traditional marriage need to read their history to know whereof they speak. I found his writing immensely readable and enjoyable. Although I have not yet read his first work, it is certainly now on my list.
Rating: 
Summary: Great thesis wrong approach
Review: This book had some interesting things to say but it went about it in the wrong way. First of all, I think this book demonstrates that marriage is more then superficial ceremonies and the exchanging of rings. I found it a great expose' on how same sex unions can be just as affective as heterosexual ones. ... The problem with this book is that its just so dry. The ton of footnotes make it a chore to read and a couple of chapters could be left out altogether. I would love to listen to an abridged version of this book on CD. It would be more interesting and probably would get Boswell's argument across to the lay reader more efficiently. I manage to get through most of it but I got tired in the end. It was like he kept repeating the same points over and over again. A more simplified version would be welcomed with all the footnotes in the back well away from the main text. Conclusion, an interesting thesis but not a read for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Great thesis wrong approach
Review: This book had some interesting things to say but it went about it in the wrong way. First of all, I think this book demonstrates that marriage is more then superficial ceremonies and the exchanging of rings. I found it a great expose' on how same sex unions can be just as affective as heterosexual ones. ... The problem with this book is that its just so dry. The ton of footnotes make it a chore to read and a couple of chapters could be left out altogether. I would love to listen to an abridged version of this book on CD. It would be more interesting and probably would get Boswell's argument across to the lay reader more efficiently. I manage to get through most of it but I got tired in the end. It was like he kept repeating the same points over and over again. A more simplified version would be welcomed with all the footnotes in the back well away from the main text. Conclusion, an interesting thesis but not a read for everyone.
Rating: 
Summary: HIGHLY RECOMMEDED. BUY IT FOR YOUR FAVORITE CLERIC!
Review: WHAT CAN I SAY. BUY IT. READ IT. LET IT GRAB AT YOUR HEART AND SOUL. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR SERIOUS STUDENTS OF THEOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY AND ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY. I TOOK SO MUCH FOR GRANTED UNTIL I READ THIS BOOK. MY HEART IS FOREVER CHANGED.
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