Why we love?

I realize that this suggestion in not really in tune with the topics of this blog, given that the book in question is by an American scientist and was published in 2004, so it's not really new cultural news from London, but regardless, this is what I've been reading over the last week and it's too interesting to keep from mentioning.

The book by anthropologist Helen Fisher called: Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love, is scientific research of interpersonal attraction. Might sound a bit dry and technical, but it's a fascinating read throughout. It provides some valuable general knowledge about the evolution of animals and humans, and explains everything very simply and clearly. It explores the notion of love, how it evolved and illustrates everything with case studies. Fisher divides love into the categories/stages of: lust, attraction and attachment.

Love is something we all think we know, it's everywhere- in songs, movies, literature, life... but looking at it from a scientific point of view, it makes much more sense, becomes less scarily overwhelming and mystical. It does detract from some of the magic, I must admit, reducing it to chemical reactions, biological urges and genetic codes, but it also makes dealing with ones broken heart a lot easier. I highly recommend it, reading it will make everything in the world and life and history make much more sense.

(Thanks, Liisa, for suggesting the book and lending it to me)