The curious history of sex

The sexual act itself hasn't changed since people figured out what goes where. What has changed, however, are the socio-cultural attitudes towards the subject. Humans are the only creatures on Earth who associate sex with shame and guilt, and who stigmatise certain sexual practices. Sex culturally divides people, even though it is one of our most shared experiences. With her characteristic humour, Kate Lister explores the history of the penis and vulva, virginity tests throughout history, the topic of aphrodisiacs and anaphrodisiacs, the history of prostitution, contraception, and the changing social perceptions of everything from masturbation to riding a bicycle. The journey from the erotic frescoes of Pompeii to modern brothels with sex robots, or from medieval impotence trials to present-day testicle theft, debunks stereotypes and provides a valuable framework for current issues, including gender and sexual violence. The text is complemented by historical illustrations that are often surprising, witty, and sometimes terrifying.

Kate Lister
lectures at Leeds Trinity University and popularises the history of sex in her articles. Under the motto 'Be curious. Don't be judgemental', she launched the Whores of Yore project (thewhoresofyore.com) in 2015, which gives a voice to the outcast and provides a space for an open-minded discussion about sexual topics. Her book also draws on the material she has collected there.