Product Description
Why are women biologically driven to find Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome?
Can more sex help ensure a safe pregnancy?
What effect does pornography have on a man’s fertility?
In this compelling follow-up to th… More >>
How Sex Works: Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Needless to say, this book’s title, makes you want to read it, and read it now!! However, it turns out to have a tone of a graduate school student’s dissertation. It’s a very interesting account of the inner workings of sex, but Mr. Sharon Moalem also addresses a whole lot of sideline items much toooo much in depth; at the end of it all, you wonder was there a pertinent point he was trying to make…? Case in point, the long, drawn out delineation of what sex is like in the world of bees (the breaking off of the penis (ouch), and the like).
At least, the start of the book is very interesting and educational, as we learn the names for the head of the penis and the circular area surrounding the woman’s nipples (an area by which some women are easily brought to orgasm [your bonus for reading my review
]. However, as you read on, there are many parts of the book that just seem to drag on, or the particular subject matter and the terminology are way too medically technical to hold the typical reader’s interest; if you read this book just “skim” these sections.
But, this is sex we’re talkin’ about here, so when Moalem does make the book interesting again, it ALMOST… kinda…. feels like it was worth it to hang in there and see what he’s trying to educate you on; if you’ve ever wondered, “Why would the woman’s genitalia ejaculate”? “Her ejaculate is clearly not for reproductive purposes”… Well, there’s a major sexion (sorry) section that addresses that issue. There’s also a major section that address ambiguous genitalia, a weirdly interesting subject. There’s a section that addresses a women’s ovulation and her level of arousal at that time (which you can tell by the way she dresses; it’s not always skimpily, either). Then at the end Moalem address all the sexually transmitted diseases and their symptoms (some people may find this part very important); the section on A.I.D.S. is actually a bit of a tear-jerker, as he address the epidemic in Africa. By the way, all the names of the chapters come from pop songs, that are semi-related to sex (what song isn’t, right?).
So, in the end… Ooops? Let me try that again… When all is said and done, this is a good read, but it would help the reader to know that there are major sections that may bore him or her to tears.
This is not outright a sex improvement techniques book; this is one thing you must know; but, the section on the location of the woman’s g-spot just might help one to improve…!
Rating: 3 / 5
An entertaining enough book. Not so hard to do when you write about sex. All you have to do is keep it simple, which this author does; and short — this book was a quick read. Not entirely satisfying though. There wasn’t a lot I didn’t know about from paying attention to the occasional news article and high school sex ed.
One thing that kind of annoyed me is that the author addresses the old trope about penis size and ethnicity. Personally, I don’t believe it, and from all the studies I’ve read, a correlation has not been definitively established. Yet Moalem appears to believe it’s true.
Worse, he singles out Indian men as being of below average size, and Israeli men as above average. (I’m not Indian, by the way).
He accounts for the difference in penis sizes by claiming that it has to do with surface area: in colder climates, the penis is smaller so that it doesn’t have as much surface area from which to lose heat. In warmer climates, he says the penis is larger to keep the genitals cool.
But if this is true, shouldn’t sub-tropical India be above average? And why are Israelis above average? Many Israelis are from Central Europe, a colder climate than India.
But when I looked at the author’s bio information, I thought, “oh yeah, that makes sense.” The author is Israeli.
Rating: 3 / 5
This book has a great title. It has tons of great information, which I love. However, the book worries me because it is full of personal opinions and I spotted a few pieces of information that are wrong or misstated in order to favor the authors point of view. Also, the author uses Ms. Hellen Fisher as a reference and Ms. Fisher is a highly opinionated author that tends to twist scientific data to her ideas. So, be careful and cross-reference anything that you might find that you do not know. It is sad to see such a possible great book be tainted with wrong information and using personal opinions as facts. Anyway buy it read it and reseach it!
Rating: 4 / 5
This book is very interesting and provides a breezy and entertaining look at human sexuality for beginners.
The writing, however, is noticeably lacking in some proper editing. I noticed several fumbling sentences and awkward stylistic choices. There have been a few typos (mostly punctuation-related ones) that I have noticed.
Very interesting, though! I recommend it to anyone who wants something quick and easy to digest that pertains to sexuality. It’s very easy to understand and sometimes humorous.
Rating: 3 / 5
Moalem has written a delightful and educational book about every aspect of sexuality. In addition, his book clearly defines sex and its function in society, and elucidates the connection between human senses and sexuality.Moalem takes us on a panoramic trip into the evolution of prehistoric sexuality to today’s cutting edge in medical research.
The book also gracefully and eloquently introduces us to the development of human sexuality over time. However, in his effort to be inclusive, Moalem subtly endorses dubious topics, like his advocacy for “Gardasil,” the controversial new vaccine by Merck pharmaceuticals. He forgets to address the controversy and the unethical marketing practices by this company.
How Sex Works elucidates the anatomy and function of human sex organs as well as the biochemical processes behind sexual attraction. It also presents intriguing ideas and interesting answers to questions ranging from contraception to fertility, and from circumcision to STDs and homosexuality.
How Sex Works is an entertaining and amusing comprehensive review of culture, biology, and history and their intricate connection to today’s understanding of sexuality. The book examines recent research concepts, debunks old myths, and defies the common boundaries and understanding of sexuality.
How Sex Works would’ve been a potential blockbuster, if Moalem were able to maintain an objective view throughout the book that would educate, entertain, and guide the readers through the cultural and historical as well as the latest scientific concepts in sexuality, instead of the occasional interjections of his personal views.
Finally, How Sex Works will not likely become a universal classic like Morris’s Naked Ape. However, it will make a great reading for anyone who is interested in learning about human sexuality and its impact on their daily lives.
Rating: 3 / 5