Rape of the A. P. E.

by Allan Sherman

The history of the sex revolution from 1945-1973

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, History, Sociology, Sexuality

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was 14 years old when I borrowed this book from my friend's parents' library. And by borrow I mean I stole with an intent to return it after reading. Ultimately, I just plain swiped it. After reading the book in its entirety I was too embarrassed to try and sneak it back.

I'm not sure if my teenaged, fundamental Christian mind was ready for the salaciously delicious content of this book - or if I even knew what the hell I was reading - but 30 years into the future, I look back happily that I read this. Understand that the most bawdy title on my parents' bookshelf was "Pilgrim's Progress". If they knew I was reading this book they would have prefered I had loosed a viper into the house. Given the opportunity today, I still don't think I would try to explain to my father that as a young teen I read a book that taught me about sexual enlightenment and hypocrisy - by the same guy that wrote the "Camp Granada" song. Let's go ahead and let that dog stay sleeping.

I don't remember all of the details, but I recall my favorite section of the book was a laundry list of "firsts" - the first time the word fuck was said in a Hollywood movie, first nudity in a film, etc. Learning that Barbara Streisand accepted an award in a see-through pant suit still haunts me. Why does my brain choose to remember that but not my mother-in-law's birthday, where I last parked my car, my missing goddamned phone charger?

[Dale Stonehouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in 1977 while in the U.S. Army in Alaska, this is not only one of the funniest books I have ever read, it confirmed my disgust with hypocritical American morality. Younger generations would probably not believe some of these anecdotes, which would be a good indication progress has been made.

[Pewterbreath · Rating 4 out of 5]

A.P.E. stands for American Puritan Ethic--anyway this book is crazily entertaining, wonderfully dirty, and blissfully strange. It's a bit out of date (it's a silent generation member talking to the boomer generation) but still it's really freakishly entertaining.

[Daniel Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I realize that this book is a product of its times, and Allan Sherman is a tough sell in 2011, but it really is a shame that this book is out of print.

[Catherine Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Russell Drost I was about 23 when I first read this book, by accident. My husband & I were both on military leave. Newlyweds, we were on a "meet the family" journey. From CA to TN to Ohio and on to NY; and yes, back again. I am an avid reader and took the night shift so I could read during the day. I was unprepared for the amount of reading I could accomplish during this journey. While in Ohio as I met my husbands family and friends, I told him to go out with his friends. We were in his best friends home and his mom was gone for the weekend. In 1973, Circleville Ohio only had a few TV stations and they signed off after the news. There on the coffee table was a book by Allan Sherman. I knew Sherman as a very funny comic who had released a hilarious song a decade earlier. It could still be heard during the summer months! Intrigued, I thought I'd scan it. I couldn't put it down, I was giggling non stop. When the guys came home I requested paper and pen so I could write down the exact title and spelling of Shermans first name. I had to purchase this book and finish reading it.
30 yrs later I searched for a copy to re-read. It took a few years to find and cost 5 times more than I had ever spent, but so worth it. As the big 70 nears I've now read it 3 times! Great memories, each time more history unveiled mixed with the amazement of changing times.

[Dorrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, I've reread this 2 or more times over the past ten years, and have passed it on to my kids to read. Incredibly humorous, Allan Sherman dishes up a straight up poke in the eye at any and all attempts of prudishness while still managing to slip us a side of profundity. A must read! Wish it was still being published, as my copy is getting a bit weary.

[RG Futrelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly transformational book in my life. Written by the same person who created the song, "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah", Sherman was a brilliant satirist. Even though this book was written in the 70's, I believe it's wisdom is timeless.

[Monty Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was probably far too young to be doing so, and I loved it. I read it many times, but that was decades ago. Revisiting it in 2018, I was a lot less impressed with it. The culture has moved so far that none of the attempts to be shocking worked, and what's left is an arbitrarily organized book with huge digressions that don't go anywhere.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a reread for me. It was revelatory when I first read it at 20; 50 years (and a lifetime later) it remains relevant. This time around I have a greater appreciation for the talent and humor of Allan Sherman.

[Gabriela Sepulveda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book

[Queeny Koziol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book many years ago and loved it! Very funny and insightful too.

[Candi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and a great source of trivia. I read this so long ago I cannot be more specific.

[Darell Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was made aware of this wonderful book at a high school journalism conference at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. The same man that brought you the famous song, "Hello Mudda, Hello Fodder, Here I am at Camp Granda" brings you this book full of belly laughs and sexual insights.

There is one chapter in the book entitled, "Short Chapter, Long Footnote" where he just types the word "F*ck" one time followed by an asterick. The footnote goes one for 20 more pages as he fully examines the damning word, providing with possible orgins for the word and our different way of saying this forbidden word (like saying "screwed" or "I'm seeing him") without actually saying it.
He even admits that the word has held such sway over him that devoted nearly three full pages of this book just typing the word over and over again, until after about the 487th time of typing it he found he wasn't nearly so traumatized by it anymore.

I hope you have a chance to read it. It really isn't for high school students, more of a "college on up" book.

[Stu Chisholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and insightful, it's remain among my all-time favorites since I first read it back in the 1970s. Best known for his stand-up comedy albums and popular song, "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah (The Camp Grenada Song)", Sherman's deep insights into the social fabric of the times might surprise and definitely provoke lots of laughs. Surprisingly relevant even today, a highlight of the book for me was his essay, "Truth Vs. Lies: A Scientific Comparison." In short, if you're at all interested in social psychology, politics and our national moral compass, this book is essential (and fun) reading!

[Alana Kansaku-Sarmiento · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was absolutely fascinated by the history Sherman provided concerning everything from family dynamics in the 40s and 50s to specific kinds of sex-shaming going on centuries prior around the globe. I felt incensed at times, and was practically crying with laughter at others. He also provoked a lot of thought with some of his theories on sex and the history of man. He was very clear that a lot of what he wrote was his opinion, which I respected. I didn't agree with all of it, but it was still very engaging, for which I was grateful. A fantastic read for all.

[Ann Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I also read this during high school. My mother was very liberal in what she allowed me to read.
I was reading it during a class reading period because I had already finished the assigned book . The student teacher asked me, "Is that a dirty book." I just took a line from the book " It all depends on your perception of dirty"
I remember this book, because I found it both humorous and insightful. I am sure that by today's standards this wouldn't be allowed in a high school and my mother would be brought up on child neglect charges for allowing me to read it.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic snapshot of a middle-aged comedian in the last quarter of the 20th century caught in a maelstrom of cultural upheaval. Read with perspective from the vantage point of the current day in first quarter of the 21st century, it is interesting to see the recursive nature of change traveling full-tilt in the opposite direction. Some of the chapters involving the parable of the caveman get cumbersome but the the general excitement he demonstrates for the potential freedoms found in his American culture is muted when juxtaposed against what is actually happening.

[Russell Drost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stands the test of time.

This is the second time I have read this book. The first time in my 20’s. Now I’m 60. This book really stands up to time. Funnier now that I have gone through life. Highly recommended.

[ECaq Qace · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time. The philosophy in Sherman's description of the beginning of man, is brilliant. This book is more than a 'comedy' book. The philosophy is rather deep and well presented

[WT Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable, humorous, and even informative book from the late Allen Sherman (the fellow who made all those musical parodies folks my age remember so well). But that god-awful title! Ugh!

[Chollie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dated.
Juvenile.

[Melissa Conner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haiku Review:

An outrageous book
about our hottest war...the
Sex revolution.


Overall this book was fun! Super long and wordy, but had me laughing out loud a few times!

[Mike Hiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it before much about s knowing much about sex. I found it in the house somewhere.

[Radiolab]

Radiolab asked listeners for their sex ed recommendations. 

Audrey, a Radiolab listener, says, "I found it at a library book sale on NC State campus. It was a fascinating read about sex. My favorite part was the parallel story of the first caveman and cave woman who discover sex. It gets worse when they learn how to think. Haha."