Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Popular Science editor Feltman debuts with a playful, myth-busting survey of human sexuality and the history of reproductive science. Tackling the subject from a queer, feminist perspective, she explains the mechanics of conception, traces the evolution of birth control methods, and documents the many techniques, such as "poach goat testes in milk and consum them with sesame seeds and porpoise fat," that have been used to treat erectile dysfunction since the eighth century BCE. Elsewhere, Feltman delves into the science of AIDS transmissibility, debunks historical legends (Cleopatra did not have a vibrator made of bees; Catherine the Great did not have sex with a horse), and discusses recent research into the sexual behaviors of transgender and nonbinary people. Turning to fetishism and the "concept of deviance," Feltman discusses how the Bible story of Sodom and Gomorrah came to be interpreted as a prohibition against homosexuality and notes that Richard von Krafft-Ebing added more technical jargon and Latin passages to later editions of Psychopathia Sexualis (first published in 1886) in order to keep people from "devouring his academic treatise like porn." Enlivened by Feltman's keen sense of humor and affirmational tone, this is an entertaining and informative catalog of "sexual expression and queer existence and horny exuberance through history." (May)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Like many taboo subjects, discussions of human sexuality are often clouded by hearsay, urban legends, and secrecy. In this informative and delightful history of sex and sex-adjacent topics, science writer Feltman brings sex out of the bedroom and into clear view. She organizes her book by topic rather than time period, allowing the listener the opportunity to take a historical deep dive into a variety of topics related to sex and sexuality, from masturbation to birth control to pornography. She strikes a careful balance between fact and humor and is careful to not accept popular urban legends as historical truth. Feltman's engaging and spirited narration fits the overall tone of her book--bawdy, funny, and surprisingly informational--and it's obvious that she sees the humor in the subject matter. There are times where it sounds like she's leaning in to share a dirty secret, and times when it sounds like a particularly entertaining lecture. Listeners will emerge with a new understanding of human sexuality--and some surprising anecdotes to share with others. VERDICT This well-researched, uproariously funny audiobook is ideal for listeners who enjoyed Strange Bedfellows by Ina Park or Bonk by Mary Roach, both of which cover similar territory.--Nanette Donohue
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A snarky romp through the "elastic, adaptable, catch-as-catch-can, DIY-friendly, totally open-source method of reproduction and social connection that keeps the world as we know it spinning." Popular Science executive editor Feltman could talk your ear off about koala chlamydia, and while she understands that her topic won't appeal to everyone, this raucous book is sure to have something to fascinate most readers--even those who think they're experts on all things sex-related. Rather than an in-depth examination of one or two specific elements, she offers "a smattering, a taste, a mere assortment of amuse-bouches of sexual expression and queer existence and horny exuberance through history." Beginning with the introduction, "Everything Weird Is Normal--Everything Normal Is Weird," the author demonstrates that she is equally confident discussing bacterial reproduction techniques, the history of heterosexual mating rituals, and contemporary human identities and politics, and there are numerous moments of laugh-out-loud amazement and eyebrow-raising surprise. The chapter on human reproduction is especially well detailed, taking the standard "sperm-meets-egg" story and complicating it almost to the point of absurdity, and Feltman's exploration of animal biology and reproductive habits is similarly eye-opening. Many of the author's choices are affirming and diverse--e.g., referring to "people with uteruses" and consistently including nonbinary people. Some of the humor is grating or overworked, including certain sections that will confuse older, less-internet-savvy readers, or will quickly become outdated, as in passages of meme-ready language. Feltman's jokey tone works well for shorter pieces but becomes exhausting over a full-length book. Consequently, many readers will choose to read a chapter or two at a time. On the whole, though, the book is entertaining and educational. Before presenting a helpful section of further reading, the author notes, "this book is meant to merely be a humorous primer, a lighthearted introduction, a romp through the basics." It's an apt description. A deep dive for sex nerds and informative fun for everyone else. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
