A review by annettelt
In Bed with the Georgians: Sex, Scandal and Satire in the 18th Century by Mike Rendell

3.0

It's hard not to start drawing parallels between the Georgian courtesans, rakes, adulterous aristocrats, and sex workers described in this book to today's celebrities, content creators, and pornstars. Whether at their country estates, London homes, or on a European 'Grand Tour' the Georgian elite were known to indulge in gambling, excessive drinking, and lustful affairs. At a time when upper-class marriages were arranged for political, economic, and social reasons it's not surprising that both sexes pursued love and passion outside of the marriage. In Bed with the Georgians is richly illustrated with contemporary satirical prints that contextualize the scandalous behaviour of the era's nobility and royals. I am not convinced that the book is structured to present the material to its best advantage. I found myself wanting to create a visual "crime wall" linking courtesans and roués to their various conquests as a great deal of partner swapping occurred. Rendell helpfully includes a glossary, bibliography, and index.