This volume investigates whether human marriage is a cultural evolution of animal mating behaviors or a distinct phenomenon entirely separate from biological instinct. The editors, Vernon Reynolds and John Kellett, compile research from experts in zoology, biological anthropology, and sociology to bridge the gap between animal behavior and human social structures. By analyzing the intersection of these disciplines, the text seeks to establish a framework for understanding the biological foundations and cultural complexities of pair-bonding.

Experts recognize this volume as a significant interdisciplinary contribution to the study of human social evolution. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational text for those examining the biological roots of human institutions.