Open Marriage Book Excerpt at Huffington Post

[rpu3]

Chapter 9 of Jenny Block's new book, Open is excerpted on HuffingtonPost.com.

Open marriage does not and will not disrupt life as we now know it. It already is life as we know it, even though some people pretend not to understand that. They seem terrified of open marriages, of any alternative lifestyle, for the same reason that they're scared of anything unknown: They don't know what to expect around the corner. This situation is similar, and not surprisingly so, to society's struggle with interracial marriage and its continued wrangling with same-sex marriage. My hope is that others will come clean about their lifestyles, as I have, as we work toward creating a society where people in heterosexual, monogamous marriages are not the only ones who are permitted to live free from harsh and unfounded judgment.

I'm not out to change anyone. I'm interested in changing how we look at everyone.

Book excerpt here.

[GoNatural]

Nice excerpt! I just purchased the book Open, along with a few others on the topic of open relationships. I havn't read the book yet. I just finished reading Eros: a Journey of Multiple Loves.

[gatorvol64]

I haven't pruchased the book yet. Not exactly sure why (other than I haven't had time to read but didn't stop purchasing books...need to catch up) because it appears it'll be a good read. Thanks for the link to the excerpt.

Vol

[rpu3]

I haven't purchased the book either... just haven't gotten around to it, but I did like what I've read from the excerpts.

GoNatural - what else have you read, and what would you recommend to either read or pass up?

[GoNatural]

About a month ago I purchased eight more books on the subjects of polyamory and/or open relationships. The only one of the eight that I've read straight through is the book that I mentioned above, Eros: a Journey of Multiple Loves, by Anderlini-D'Onofrio. I did enjoy reading it, but it did deviate from the subject of polyamory. The author tells her life story, which includes a move the the United States from Italy, as well as some feminist perspectives. She also included some spicy details about her erotic experiences in the book, which more than made up for a few other boring pages.




Polyamory Many Loves: The Poly-Tantric Lovestyle: A personal account by Janet Kira Lessin seems like it will be a fun book to read. I've only thumbed through it so far, but there is a bit of erotic spice in her book also, aside from just definitions.

Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships by Tristan Taormino was also well worth its purchase price. This book explains various types of concensual non-monogamy, from swinging to polyamory, and a few types in-between. I've selectively read through this book. It was entertaining and informative. She includes the results of a survey of "open" couples, and also provides an example story of a relationship with each type of arrangement covered. The author is well known for her anal sex guides and seminars.

The Polyamory Handbook: A User's Guide by Peter J. Benson looks like it will be a good read. I've only thumbed through it so far, but it looks to be well organized and contains lots of advice about polyamory.

The New Intimacy: Open-Ended Marriage and Alternative Lifestyles by Ronald Mazur didn't look as good as I had expected when I thumbed through it. I cetainly liked the title, and the authors favortism of an open marriage arangement, but the book seemed slightyly dated (it was first copyrighted in the 70's, but the latest edition was revised since 2000) and not quite as interesting when compared to the other books mentioned above.

I've also read The Ethical Slut, which was great.

[Vjklander]

Warren Buffett actually had an interesting poly relationship. After about 20 years of marriage, his wife decided she wanted to move to San Francisco from Omaha. He didn't. She did. But they stayed married, went places together, etc. The Mrs struck up a friendship with the waitress at the restaurant she frequented. After meeting Warren a few times, the waitress moved to Omaha and lived with Warren. His wife still came and went, they still went to annual board meetings and other functions and shindigs together, and signed their Christmas cards with all 3 names.