For thousands of years, love songs have pervaded our musical lives. But no one has told their full story until now. Ted Gioia surveys the conflicts and controversies, and traces the surprising path by which the love song has triumphed over all obstacles, emerging as a dominant commercial and cultural force. Taking a somewhat chronological approach to the subject, Gioia has used his extensive knowledge of love songs throughout time and human history to write an unorthodox examination of this topic. The reader is transported from bird song to ancient Rome, from the troubadours to folk songs, from crooners to contemporary rappers. This is a fascinating approach. Essential.