Sex: Real People Talk About What They Really Do

by Harry Maurer

In Sex, Maurer and 55 people he interviewed talk simply, non-judgmentally and explicitly about sex. After introductory comments about the state of sex in America, Maurer lets his interviewees speak for themselves--teenagers, septuagenarians, singles, marrieds, straight, gay and lesbian. The result is an original, definitive portrait of Americans--as sexual beings.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sexuality, Sociology

560 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Samir Rawas Sarayji · Rating 1 out of 5]

Excessively boring after 100 pages. How much can you read about the different sexual habits, interests, problems, etc of different people when the 'interview' is not really an interview but just people spewing forth their sex lives. It sounds a lot more interesting than what it is. There is little here that any well-read person would not already know about sex. At least in fiction we learn or imagine much of these types of lives about characters.
The focus of the book is too narrow which is quite ridiculous since the word sex encompasses much more than just outright sex. It is a pity that depth is not a scope of this book so that there could have actually been 'interviews' whereby themes could be further explored and, dare I say, some input from the author. Maurer here feels like someone taking the burdensome task of transcribing all this and that's it. That immediately makes this book outdated. We have the internet to learn about sex and people's confessions about sex.
I missed psychological analysis or just any analysis for that matter. There really was no point in reading this and after 100 pages I stopped.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most comprehensive books on real sexual behavior that I've ever read. Fascinating in its diversity and honesty.

[Karah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An earlier reviewer commented on how differently this book would read if these interviews had occurred in the 21st century. I would love to see it.

I would only encourage broad-minded people to read this book. Anyone who harps about family values and the old days would find this book offensive.

I am delighted that I read it.

[Katie]

I actually read this much closer to when it came out, hardcover, checked out from the library I worked at as a page at the time. There are things I definitely remember from it. I'd be curious to re-read it now.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes I read in themes. A year ago, it was food: The Omnivore's Dilemna; Animal, Vegetable, Mineral; The United States of Arugula; etc. This time around it seems to be sex and relationships. Hence, Sex: An Oral History. Plus I found it while browsing around the library shelves, and it seemed interesting enough.

And it is. 52 (I think) diverse people are interviewed about their sex lives. Pretty detailed, which is enjoyable. Some kink, too. However, it did get to be a little long, and at some point I tired of reading about how much foreplay people have, etc. So I skimmed a bit towards the end (and skipped over some stories). But overall it was pretty good.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book but, 21 years later, curiously dated. Oh, we still do sex the same way, but this is a world with no smartphones, no online dating, and -- indeed -- most people without access to the Internet. When the parents of the subjects are mentioned, most of the women are identified as "housewives." It's amazing how much of a difference it makes as you read these interviews. Still worth reading, but very much of a time capsule of its era.

[Mel Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended.