Love in the Western World by Denis de Rougemont

The book is an in-depth exploration of the concept of love as it has evolved in Western society, tracing its development from the myth of Tristan and Iseult to modern times. The author argues that the idea of passionate, romantic love that is prevalent in the West is fundamentally a form of destructive passion, often leading to pain and tragedy. The book also delves into the socio-cultural aspects of love, examining how societal norms and expectations shape our understanding and experience of love.

The 2652nd greatest book of all time


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Total Points: 138

Since this book was first published in 1939, there is a penalty of 0%. The age adjusted score is 138.0.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.