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deanashuman's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this one up on our public library's audiobook app because "Why not?!" I listened to the whole thing in one day, because it was riveting and fascinating, with much guffaw-worthy humor (but, fair warning, NOT for the faint of heart- the horrific history of clitoridectomies is addressed in great detail. Whew. ). Highly recommend!
tieganlucy's review
5.0
The research hours that must’ve gone into this book is astounding. There is so many sources and referencing, it’s so informative and goes right back to the start of sexual activity within human society. Super interesting if you’re into this kind of thing!
a_islandcriptid's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
This is a fun little book and is definatly a good starting point for anyone curious about this area of history/society. As a history nerd who has been interested in social, domestic, fashion, and sex history for a while a lot of the info wasn't new but it was still a very interesting read, and the information is well cited but it is a very approachable and funny book.
*Note on Ch. 13: the framing of corsets is a little misleading in how restrictive they were. Just keep in mind it is dramatic and a bit exaggerated! (I highly recommend her podcast episode on corsets, and YouTube videos on corsets by fashion historians: Abby Cox, Burnadett Banner and others!)
Kate Lister's podcast "Betwixt the Sheets: the History of Sex, Scandal & Society" is a favorite of mine and there are episodes on not just sex topics, but also social history and historical figures!
*Note on Ch. 13: the framing of corsets is a little misleading in how restrictive they were. Just keep in mind it is dramatic and a bit exaggerated! (I highly recommend her podcast episode on corsets, and YouTube videos on corsets by fashion historians: Abby Cox, Burnadett Banner and others!)
Kate Lister's podcast "Betwixt the Sheets: the History of Sex, Scandal & Society" is a favorite of mine and there are episodes on not just sex topics, but also social history and historical figures!
bellebookstitch666's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
mari1532's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
I listened to this book with Audible.
Brief Summary: Lister explores the history of sex and the human species. Each section of the book focuses on popular subtopics associated with sex throughout history including sex and money, sex and food, and sex and machines. Lister uses the historical record and humor to describe and discuss each topic.
Thoughts: I have been following Lister's Instagram account for awhile now and finally started listening to her brilliant podcast, Betwixt the Sheets. When I realized one of her books was on Audible and included in the subscription I jumped at the chance to listen to her research in depth.
This is an incredibly interesting book about sex, sexuality, and the human experience. I wish that this were required reading in many health classes as it tackles some very pertinent topics and misconceptions related to reproduction and sexual health. Lister is also an entertaining writer and presenter. Some of the information that she discuses as practices are both puzzling to learn about about and entertaining.
If you want to have a great time, learn something, and combat patriarchal understanding of human sexuality this is a great book to start with.
Brief Summary: Lister explores the history of sex and the human species. Each section of the book focuses on popular subtopics associated with sex throughout history including sex and money, sex and food, and sex and machines. Lister uses the historical record and humor to describe and discuss each topic.
Thoughts: I have been following Lister's Instagram account for awhile now and finally started listening to her brilliant podcast, Betwixt the Sheets. When I realized one of her books was on Audible and included in the subscription I jumped at the chance to listen to her research in depth.
This is an incredibly interesting book about sex, sexuality, and the human experience. I wish that this were required reading in many health classes as it tackles some very pertinent topics and misconceptions related to reproduction and sexual health. Lister is also an entertaining writer and presenter. Some of the information that she discuses as practices are both puzzling to learn about about and entertaining.
If you want to have a great time, learn something, and combat patriarchal understanding of human sexuality this is a great book to start with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, Infertility, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, and Abortion
feelingpeachygreen's review
funny
informative
fast-paced
5.0
Very funny, very interesting.
Learnt a lot and the author is very witty with it too. I enjoyed the message of the conclusion especially too.
Learnt a lot and the author is very witty with it too. I enjoyed the message of the conclusion especially too.
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Entertainingly witty, full of social history and contemporary detail that will fascinate.
'Tis not complete by any means, but does certainly fill in some holes (pun most definitely intended) in one's knowledge of the act we can all blame our existence on.
This is such a fascinating subject, and the author not only mines it for interesting tidbits, facts and discussion topics, but does so with a wit that made me nod appreciatively and even laugh aloud.
With words a big focus of this book, the author debunks myths, taking us on an alternative history of words we would never use in polite (or otherwise) company and leaves you floundering in a sea of your own exploded misconceptions. Yep, that means me.
I could have listened to this for twice as long, covering far more ground. Hygiene, food, machines, the author (who narrates) covers all sorts of interesting areas (these puns just write themselves, don't they?). Narrator/author Lister is easy to listen to, her voice doesn't detract from her own material, and unless I've missed some diagrams and photos, I think the audio version is an excellent way to read this book.
I'll be listening to it again at some point, and some of the facts here have stayed with me.
Excellent audio choice, for those interested in sex and social history.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
'Tis not complete by any means, but does certainly fill in some holes (pun most definitely intended) in one's knowledge of the act we can all blame our existence on.
This is such a fascinating subject, and the author not only mines it for interesting tidbits, facts and discussion topics, but does so with a wit that made me nod appreciatively and even laugh aloud.
With words a big focus of this book, the author debunks myths, taking us on an alternative history of words we would never use in polite (or otherwise) company and leaves you floundering in a sea of your own exploded misconceptions. Yep, that means me.
I could have listened to this for twice as long, covering far more ground. Hygiene, food, machines, the author (who narrates) covers all sorts of interesting areas (these puns just write themselves, don't they?). Narrator/author Lister is easy to listen to, her voice doesn't detract from her own material, and unless I've missed some diagrams and photos, I think the audio version is an excellent way to read this book.
I'll be listening to it again at some point, and some of the facts here have stayed with me.
Excellent audio choice, for those interested in sex and social history.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
gingernut_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0