The Clitoral Truth: The Secret World at Your Fingertips

by Rebecca Chalker, Fish (Illustrator)

The clitoris has been dismissed, undervalued, unexplored, and misunderstood for hundreds of years, but the truth is out there, and internationally celebrated sex educator Rebecca Chalker has found it. In The Clitoral Truth, Chalker offers the only mainstream, in-depth exploration devoted solely to women's genital anatomy and sexual response. Women readers everywhere--be they straight, gay, or bisexual--will learn about the countless sexual sensations and discover how to enhance their sexual responses in a more concrete way than ever before. Enhanced with personal accounts, comprehensive illustrations, and a thorough appendix of female sexuality resources, this book helps women and their partners understand and expand their sexual potential and work toward becoming independent sexual beings.

Genres: Sexuality, Nonfiction, Feminism, Health, Self Help, Relationships, Womens

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful insight into the world of the clitoris. I stumbled across this interesting little gem, entirely by accident, and it has made a solid addition to my already packed bookshelves. This book shows us how, from conception, the female anatomy actually develops, and it shows that there is so much more involved with the clitoris, than some believe, or unfortunately, are even aware of. It also showcases how female and male sexual organs are related, which I found rather interesting, to say the least.

There are some parts in this book that feel incredibly outdated, but considering this was published eighteen years ago, I kind of expected it. This book was designed to enable women to break out of the stereotypical male view of sex, and in my opinion, it helps to do just that. It shows some great diagrams of the clitoris in exquisite detail, and literally shows, what is what. I thought the discussion on female ejaculation was highly interesting, as some people, both males and females, believe that it doesn't exist.
I love that this book encourages you to love oneself sexually, and dispels the taboo that masturbation is some kind of dirty sin. We like what we like, and we should never be ashamed of that.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is interesting in that it tells you how the female anatomy develops from conception and shows that much more than what is thought of conventionally as "the clit" makes up the clitoral system: hello 'taint! It also shows the ways in which male and female sexual organs are related anatomically, which, to me is very interesting. Anyway, if you're into sexuality and understanding the human anatomy and how to give or have better orgasms, then this book has value.

Unfortunately that is only half of the book. The other half is devoted to describing in excruciating detail the author's own new age journey to get in touch with her "inner goddess" including mutual masturbation camp and playing dress-up with sex activist Annie Sprinkle.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rebecca Chalker's establishes an avowedly feminist viewpoint in her manifesto on women's sexuality, a combination of history, anatomy, and self-help, intended to empower women to realize their own sexual potential.

Had I read it when it was published in the summer of 2000, I would have thought her militant anti-patriarchal viewpoint quaint. I would have thought it a product of my mother's generation (which she is) and having just been through eight years of a Democratic presidency and increasing acceptance of LGBT culture, I would have thought this book too old-fashioned, too hostile to modern society which had evolved since Chalker's period of strident activism.

Of course, I read this in 2012. Now the importance of women's reproductive health is apparently up for debate again. While LGBT culture has arguably continued to advance positively, it appears women in particular are being sent backwards. I'm not sure we're back at the point yet where this book will be handed back and forth with hushed tones among confidants, but it's a reminder of the path we appear to be headed down, and that it needs to be resisted.

I won't recommend this book for everyone (shock!). The attempted terminology change, Chalker seeks to expand the term "clitoris" to apply to much of the female sexual anatomy, feels propagandic and offputting. The medical history, while informative, fails to follow-up on the causes of the limitation of information concerning female anatomy, attributing it to sinister forces, and focuses more on the information's rediscovery. The final portion, in which Chalker discusses various sexual health seminars people, primarily women, can attend, gets new-agey beyond the point of reasoned exploration.

That said, for women curious about their own sexuality, this is probably a good place to start. It's not going to tell a reader how to do things, but it does encourage them to start exploring.

[Kerry]

While this book has its drawbacks, much of it is educational and thought-provoking. It is definitely written from a feminist perspective, but the anatomical and biological explanations build upon basic knowledge of the female body.

[Tim Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and highly informative on the true anatomy of the female sex system. Every person should read this book.

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. A friend recommended this to me and I was excited to find it at my library. It was very informative with its scientific facts, myth busting and walks you through women's anatomy with no need of medical knowledge necessary.

The best part about this book was that it encouraged a healthy image of one's sexual self. I felt some much needed liberation after finishing this book. It erradicates shame of masturbation, kinks, or whatever floats your fancies. Sex is a wonderful and essential part of life, after all!

[HeavyReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book absolutely ROCKS! If you want to learn more about the clitoris (and who doesn't?), read this book.

[Baroness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and informative on the anatomy aspect, not much on the how to do it yourself or with you partner.
However she does list numerous books for what tickles your fancy…

[kates · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read! Really, truly. There are parts that feel outdated (it's nearly 10 years after it's original publishing), but these are easily overlooked (and that may just be my reader bias peeking out).

There were some gems that are good for debate and reflection, like: "Sex- how we think about it and how we do it- has changed more in the last three decades than it has in the last four or five thousand years."

I mean, yes. We "know" that. But it's incredible to really sit with that, and take in the enormity of that statement. I'm in awe of humanity.

Clitoratti forever!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, having just read "The Vagina Owners Manual" I will say it was less scientific, but more sensual and erotic. The authors of the aforementioned book would surely disagree with Ms. Chalker about female ejaculation and the G spot, but there's really no point in arguing that!

[Kelly Hurlbut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative book on feminist theory and the lost history of the clitoris. Diagrams the clitoris better then any book I have read to date. This book is designed to help women break out of the stereotypical male view of sex.

[Lisa]

I own this

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

:) Educational, inspiring, unflinchingly feminist. I learned a lot, agreed with just about all of it I think.

[Olivia]

Yes! Yes! Bathroom reading-thanks Badger.

[Lynn Vannucci]

"An orgasm is like an anchovy,she says, little, long, and very salty." Or, if you prefer, "an exploding watermelon." Chalker is all about sensation - an important book.

[Lynn Vannucci]

"An orgasm is like an anchovy,she says, little, long, and very salty." Or, if you prefer, "an exploding watermelon." Chalker is all about sensation - an important book.

[Mayookha Menon]

uiuii

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

A shallow and very ignorant text.

> Masturbation is as old as life itself. And, it appears to be innate. Gynecologists and ultrasound technicians are familiar with the sight of male fetuses with erect penises.

or even better:

> We recently observed a female fetus at 32 weeks’ gestation touching the vulva with fingers of [her] right hand. The caressing movement was centered primarily on the region of the clitoris. Movements stopped after 30 to 40 seconds, and started again after a few moments. Further, these light touches were repeated and were associated with short, rigid movements of the pelvis and legs. After another break, in addition to this behavior, the fetus contracted the muscles of the trunk and limbs, and the climax, clonicotonic movements [rapid muscle contractions] of the body, followed. Finally she relaxed and rested. We [several doctors and the mother] observed this behavior for about 20 minutes

Which closely resembles one of the pioneers of the microscope who has seen a small crouched person in every sperm.

> When a heterosexual person says that they have had sex, it’s just assumed that they mean sex in which the penis was in the vagina, but survey after survey confirms that the majority of women do not have orgasmic sex reliably from intercourse alone [...]

Not intercourse, but penetration. And so on.

[Karina Vazquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think is a good book, it is always good to dedicate time to know yourself and what you like. The book explores ways to enhance sexual pleasure . It is a big taboo in my country, we can not even see what is there because it will be considered a sin, asking for more in bed will make them think that you are promiscuous . imagination, freedom and pleasure are simply not present in the bed of my country.
I enjoyed how the book keep it simple to explain about anatomy , takes you to a tour in history and keep it interesting about the open doors to transform your sex life.

[Logan Streondj · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent in depth description of the female erogenous anatomy, including historical and social context.

From my understanding the joy of orgasm is God's gift to us so that for at least a moment we can approach the sheer ecstasy that is being One Infinite Creator.

Helps to reinvigorate ourselves in our journey to becoming more Christ like.
And certainly knowing female genital anatomy can help one help their partner experience that joy.

Certainly worth archiving for future generations. Copies of the diagrams are necessary to make sense of the text.

[Cpt Hawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably if not definitely my favorite book so far about AFAB anatomy in all its many wonderful complexities. This book also likes to get historical in its discussions of female pleasure and sexuality, and I enjoyed very much the various excerpts from Greek and Taoist works describing female ejaculation ... truly, the fun does not stop with this little number.

Listen it's got 8 pages of citations, an index at the back, a recommended reading list, and it goes off on the societal and patriarchal lack of concern about women's orgasms, what more could you POSSIBLY want?

[miss ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

realistically a 3.5 but i’m rounding down bc i don’t think it’s special enough to round up idk. but this was interesting ! always cool to learn stuff about your body that no one bothered to teach you. more science than advice and theory which wasn’t what i was expecting but still interesting for sure. the squirting chapter was easily the most interesting one i loved reading about all those studies.

[Loc'd Booktician · Rating 4 out of 5]

History of the female organ was something I already knew but the diagrams, learning about the different parts of the female organ, and the different orgasms were new and greatly appreciate. I appreciate the research and antidotal stories. This is a must read people. Final proof that the G-spot is not real!

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feminist, scientific, fascinating. It was especially interesting to learn about the parts of the female sexual organ and how they contribute to sexual pleasure and also how they're somewhat similar to male sexual organs (the main difference being that the female sexual organ is capable of multiple orgasms).

[Sharon Le Guin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for male and female alike. The book probably a lot of us would have wished to have read instead of standard biology books in school. You are going to look at all human bodies with a new perspective.

[William Yip · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book had a dry tone. The author repeated herself quoting someone twice. That said, she gave an in-depth discussion of female anatomy including the non-visible parts. I even learned new things about the behaviors of babies and even fetuses in the womb.

[Favouriteplaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

- great anatomy illustrations
- nice tone of writing
- A bit too much "Check out this seminar on X or this book on Y"

[Evgeniy Sokoloff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new under the sun: clitoris, sex fantasies and games, BDSM, masturbation and so on...

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where was this 20 years ago? I might start giving it as a gift to women in my life.

[Felicia Romano · Rating 2 out of 5]

This might have been groundbreaking in its time, but there are better resources out there for modern students of sexual health.