Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain

by Mike Rendell

Peek beneath the bedsheets of eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century Britain in this affectionate, informative and fascinating look at sex and sexuality during the reigns of Georges I-IV. It examines the prevailing attitudes towards male and female sexual behaviour, and the ways in which these attitudes were often determined by those in positions of power and authority. It also explores our ancestors' ingenious, surprising, bizarre and often entertaining solutions to the challenges associated with maintaining a healthy sex life.

Did the people in Georgian Britain live up to their stereotypes when it came to sexual behaviour? This book will answer this question, as well as looking at fashion, food, science, art, medicine, magic, literature, love, politics, faith and superstition through a new lens, leaving the reader enlightened and with a new regard for the ingenuity and character of our ancestors.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

216 pages, Paperback

Published December 11, 2020

About the author

Once upon a time, a long while ago, I was a lawyer, Then I came to my senses and packed it up to become a historian - more specifically, to become a historian specializing in Britain in the Georgian Era. I was helped by the fact that my family have kept boxes and boxes of letters, diaries and general ephemera from the 18th Century and I decided to write them up as a "Journal of a Georgian Gentleman" - a social history of the times seen through the eyes of my great great great great grandfather.
I illustrated the book with amazingly intricate paper cut outs made by my ancestor - and followed up my first book with one specifically on 18th Century paper cutting.
Then followed one on Bristol Blue Glass - a gorgeous full-blue tableware made from adding cobalt oxide to the manufacturing process. Other books will follow as time permits, but all will be on one aspect or another of the Georgian period.

Reviews

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Positioned as a contrast to those oh so uptight Victorians, the English of the Georgian era are more lusty, more permissive (at least for the men and the rich), and (at least in London) much much much more into prostitution. I read this book to get an idea of the love and sexual atmosphere surrounding the culture of Jane Austen's novels and it is clear that the rest of England was very different from London. The author does a good job of exploring the different mores, scandals, habits, and assumptions of English sexual life in this period, and two things became quickly clear: that while some women could get away with more licentiousness than the past, society expected a fall and punishment. The same was not true for men (King George's wife was left locked in a tower in Germany while his mistresses inhabited his English bed!). Second, the amount of prostitution and venereal disease in London was astounding (there were even thick guidebooks with reviews for prostitutes published regularly). And third, there was one set of consequences for the rich and another for everyone else. In sum this was a more sober and depressing read than a titillating one.

**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to Pen & Sword History for granting my wish for a digital review copy via NetGalley of ‘Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain’ by Mike Rendell in exchange for an honest review.

Mike Rendell has written a number of nonfiction works about the history of Britain during the Georgian period covering the reigns of Georges I-IV. Here he examines the prevailing attitudes towards male and female sexual behaviour. As in other eras there was clearly one rule for the rich, those in positions of power and authority, and another for the poor and working class.

He considers the various social factors that had ushered in a more permissive society including significant changes in religion and its observances.

Rendell draws on a wide variety of primary sources including first hand accounts, such as Casanova’s famous memoir, along with examples from the media, contemporary literature, legal records, art, fashion, politics, medicine, food, religion and superstition.

The book includes many illustrations from the period and the main text is followed by an extensive bibliography including online resources, accreditation for the illustrations and plates, and an index. I will note that some of the material and illustrations were quite explicit, which might offend some readers’ sensibilities. Still, the title should provide fair warning.

I have recently read a number of works of historical fiction set in the Georgian period and it was fascinating to read an overview of this intimate aspect of Georgian society.

[Nicki Markus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain is a short but informative text covering all aspects of sex and sexuality in the eighteenth century. It is nicely illustrated and well presented, with easy-to-read prose and a good balance of humour and detail. If, like me, you've read other texts on the Georgian period and sexuality in that era, most, if not all, of these tales and snippets of information will already be known to you. However, if you are new to the topic, this book provides an excellent place to start to get a good introductory overview of the subject.

I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather Moll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly readable and quick paced overview of the mores and values of Georgian England as they relate to sexuality. Focusing on the habits, medical knowledge, and assumptions of the era, the main takeaway is the hypocrisy regarding male behavior versus female, and the wealthy versus the poor. Illegitimacy, prostitution, affairs, and stds were commonplace and accepted occurrences. The sense of privacy was not what it is today and things we would hide were conducted within public view and even circulated in newspapers.

I wish the chapter on contraception and abortion was more in depth. I felt that this women-centric aspect of Georgian sex and sexuality did not get much attention. I also wish homosexuality was investigated beyond its appearance in legal accounts.

This book does not use progressive language in describing trans people or sex workers. I wouldn’t expect contemporary accounts to use the proper language, but the author in 2020 should. Certain outdated terms might take readers by surprise. Some sections almost seems like bi erasure and transphobia, which I don’t think is the author’s intent, but it is a serious miss.

There were interesting anecdotes but it lacked a narrative arc in a historical context to tie everything together. It gives good insight into the values of the Georgian age and how they intersected with sex and sexuality. Be prepared to face some disturbing realities.

[lifelonghistorylover · Rating 5 out of 5]

My interest in 18th century women began by reading about sex workers in Georgian England, so I am already familiar with some of the subject matter. However, I still found Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain to be a fascinating read and I learnt a lot. Any questions you might have regarding the sex lives of those who lived in the long 18th century, will be answered in the pages of this well researched book.

Mike Rendell explores the sex lives of all the social classes, including royalty. As well as other topics, we look at how there was one rule and law for men and another for women. Contraceptive methods and abortion, Georgian ideas surrounding STDs and treatments, Brothels and sex workers, and how the majority of these women had no choice but to go into this line of work, but a few managed to use it to their advantage. Attitudes to those who we would now call LGBT+, and sex in eighteenth-century Literature and Art.

The author relays the facts in an informative and witty way, drawing on lots of primary sources and illustration plates from the period. He manages to find the perfect balance of humorous and serious, depending on what he is telling the reader about. Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain is at times a harrowing read, and I applaud Mike Rendell for not shying away from heart-breaking and difficult subjects, such as sexism, rape, homophobia and those involving children. It is discussed frankly, but with sympathy and dignity that the victims were not afforded in their lifetime.

Whilst reading you can’t help but compare the 18th century and present day side by side and realise that we’ve come a long way in our attitudes towards sex and our advancement in science and medicine. Yet in other ways the comparison shows that we still have a way to go, for example in how members of the LGBT+ community are treated and how women are still at times treated unfairly in the eyes of the law when they report a sexual crime. It is a very thought provoking book.

I really enjoyed reading Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain and the glimpse it gave me into the most intimate and explicit lives of the Georgians. I highly recommend!

*gifted in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Pen and Sword!

[ella 🥀 · Rating 3 out of 5]

"There was a law for the rich, and there was a law for the poor. There was a law for men, and there was another law for women."
This book explores Georgian Britain's attitudes to sex and sexuality, and gives an overview of a wide variety of topics: rape, homosexuality, contraceptives, STDs and prostitution, to name a few.
It is well-researched and structured, and surprisingly accessible. I also appreciated the incorporation of life in Georgian Britain further than sex and sexuality, including politics, medicine and literature. Throughout, there is also commentary on gender and sexism. Each chapter provided many stories, which felt like too much detail at times, but gave a human element to the topics. Overall, it was a fairly interesting read and introduction to Georgian Britain.

Content warnings: rape, paedophilia, sexism, homophobia

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Becky]

I will not be reviewing this one on my blog, it's just not a good fit for my blog audience. But. I wanted to share a few thoughts about the book since I did read it.

First, you should know that I am at heart--for better or worse, right or wrong--a Victorian. I knew requesting this for review that it would likely not be my cup of tea.

So why did I request it? Because I was an English major who took two or three classes--upper undergraduate and graduate level--about this time period in England. I've studied plays, poetry, novels, etc. I was somewhat familiar with some of the key players. I thought this would be interesting for providing some background and context for understanding and appreciating the literature. Plus, I enjoy reading historical fiction set in the Georgian period. Plus, I love reading about the royal family.

There were chapters that were packed with information and provided context to the times. The chapters I appreciated most were the ones that focused on other subjects as well. Science and medicine. (What did doctors actually know--or more likely THINK they knew about the human body, how it works and functions, how life is conceived and developed. For example, there was a camp who thought that everything needed for human life was in the sperm--the woman was just an incubator not contributing anything; there was another that thought the man was unnecessary and that a woman didn't even need a man in order to get pregnant. What they DIDN'T actually know but thought they did could fill volumes.) Politics and government. The Royals. Celebrities and fashion. The court system. Society and culture. Literature. Arts. Theatre.

The chapters I appreciated least--or not at all when it comes down to it--were the chapters on sex and nothing but sex. Of course, other readers may be fascinated with this "tell all" kind of book driven by quotes from primary sources that reveal the secret-and-not-so-secret life of Londoners. But not me. Nope. Not ever gonna be me.

The chapters that were the most outrageous and horrid were those that highlighted CHILDREN. The age of consent was twelve. But it wasn't unusual for younger children to be in the sex trade--either by force or forced circumstances. The book shared examples of court cases where a man was being charged with rape--the child being six, seven, eight, etc. But often nothing would come of such a case because no one under the age of ten was allowed to take an oath and testify. And the court obviously didn't think the child having a sexually transmitted disease was proof enough. Even when the rape cases didn't involve children, it was still frustrating to read about the injustice. If you knew the right people, you could get away with anything and everything.

So much of the book falls into the "overshare" category. I didn't need/want to know most of what was in this one. The book is not deceitful in its title OR description. So it's not like readers are being tricked or deceived into reading this book.

[Caitlyn Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a thorough examination of the morals and mindset of Georgian Britons towards sex and sexuality, and it doesn’t shy away from any of the unpalatable truths - like the age of consent for marriage being 12 for much of the era. Or that venereal disease was both rife and pretty much untreatable by any medical intervention.

There’s some genuinely fascinating information here, like some thumbnail character sketches of some of the era’s most famous courtesans - the It Girls of their day - and some summaries of court cases which can only outrage modern sensibilities, covering as they do some fairly ghastly crimes where the accused was acquitted despite apparently incontrovertible evidence of their guilt. Trigger warnings apply for the entire book for the extremely sensitive topics of rape, paedophilia, spousal abuse, involuntary prostitution, sexually transmitted diseases, homophobia and more. It’s an extremely frank and sometimes pithy look at a society which had quite different views on sex to the fairly sanitized view you might get from reading novels set in the era.

Where the author makes a major, and pretty unforgivable, mis-step is in the chapters regarding what he calls ‘cross-dressing’ and ‘transvestites’. The author’s complete failure to respect Doctor James Barry’s right to self-determination of gender - and indeed, failure to note any of his achievements - felt frankly transphobic, and it wasn’t the only place this happened, just the most egregious. Considering the thoughtful examination of homosexuality and lesbianism, this transphobia - and the bi erasure I also noted - was severely disappointing.

I honestly don’t know how to rate this. Some of it is so, so good; it’s well-written, engaging and educational, and exceedingly useful if you’re writing Georgian romance in particular. And yet there’s the transphobia and the bi erasure.

I think in the end, I can only give it three stars; as a reference book, your library should maybe have it in stock, but I don’t think I’d want it in my personal collection.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this title via NetGalley.

[Michelle Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content warning: This book contains frank discussion about sex and sexuality including discussion about rape, sexually transmitted diseases, prostitution, homophobia, sexism, and other sensitive subjects. I mean it's in the title. But this book does not shy away from these subjects, reader discretion is advised.

This book goes into what it says on the tin. It's a humorous look at sex and sexuality in mostly the 18th century but also the early 19th century. It covers the terminology of the time as well as several of the major players. It goes into what was known and still unknown in the so-called "Age of Reason." The author has a very fun voice and I enjoyed most of the asides and the little bits of humor that slipped into the text -- like one pithy remark about how according to the Bishop of London masturbation is what caused the two earthquakes it experienced.. and not... oh... plate tectonics.

I learned a lot and it's clear that the author knows his stuff and is sympathetic to the women who were often screwed over by society -- especially if they were poor. I really liked how the author treated those who were infected by sexually transmitted diseases, doing his best to destigmatize them as well as be understanding to the circumstances that led women of all walks of life to prostitution. It is a book that doesn't flinch away from the horrors of the time -- including the fact that for much of the era the age of consent for women was twelve.

Unfortunately, the book makes a major misstep when it deals with in its words "cross-dressing" and "transvestism.." That section, unfortunately, uses some very transphobic language and doesn't respect James Barry's insistence in life -- even going so far as to direct how his remains should be handled post-mortem -- that he be referred to as a man. He lived his life as a man and what is included in this book minimizes that... nor does it touch upon James Barry's achievements (which included the first-known successful C-sections where both the mother and child survived (Which should be included in a book on sex and sexuality) -- only the sensationalism of what was discovered when his final wishes were not adhered to and his birth genetalia revealed. Even the brief look at the Chevalier d'Eon -- a diplomat, soldier, and spy -- focused more on their genitalia (and the fact that they were likely intersex) than the fact that the Chevalier chose to live as man for almost fifty years and as a woman for over thirty, nor did it dive into any of their other accomplishments .

It was a major misstep in what was otherwise a well-researched, well-laid out, and engaging read. If that section (literally about 10 pages of the book) were handled better this would be getting five stars from me.

As it is, for this transphobic misstep I can only in good conscience give this:

Three stars

I received an ARC via NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher for letting me read this book.

[madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I’ve read this year that talks about the British lady who shoved dead rabbits and rabbit body parts in her vagina and pretended to give birth to them and actually fooled doctors at the time (what a hero).

This was total book candy! Such a fun, easy read. It's very short - lets you dip your toe into many different aspects of sexuality in Georgian Britain. Some of the chapters cover homosexuality, sex toys, lesbianism, cross dressing, rape, masturbation, contraception, prostitution, pedophilia, flagellation, sex in public spaces, sex in art and literature of the period, etc.... It's all incredibly fascinating and telling about human behavior and sexuality. Such a delight! I loved reading the real accounts of sexual encounters people had in Georgian Britain (from diaries), and the illustrations were HILARIOUS.

I felt prepared for the content of this book because I love the TV show Harlots. I thought Harlots may have been exaggerating things a bit because it's a TV show, but this book seemed to confirm Harlots is surprisingly accurate at telling the reality of prostitution in England.

I highly recommend this for anyone interested in the history of sexuality, or anyone new to the topic. You don't have to be an academic to understand or follow along. It's written for a broad audience and general readers, which I really appreciated. The book left me wanting MUCH MORE (which is a good thing!). I wish it was twice as long and went in even more depth. I'll have to check out the author's other books and explore the other books he references through out. I wish all books were as fun as this one.

Thanks to #NetGalley and Pen & Sword History for sharing a copy with me to review in exchange for an honest review.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an informative and well written book that kept me hooked and helped me to learn a lot.
I liked the style of writing and how the book is organised.
it's recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the book on sex and sexuality in Victorian times, I was keen to read this, especially as it sort of related to the Harlots TV series.. An interesting read, well researched, very informative..

[Heather Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and very informative but done so in a manner that was equally as entertaining, I very much recommend this book!

[Loves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting and well researched book. I'm sure everyone has heard of the Covent garden ladies , whether it be through tv, film or in books . There was such a lot of information without reading like a text book . Lots of famous and infamous figures appear on the pages and it gives the reader a different perspective of the Georgian period. They definitely had some strange ideas when it came to the difference between the sexes .I thoroughly recommend it.

[Graculus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would make a good introductory text for anyone who's got a general interest in these topics, though it doesn't shy away from the darker side of all the issues involved - in general, there's one rule for the rich and one for the poor at this point in time, as well as wildly differing social mores for men and women (so no surprises there!).

Covering such topics as menstruation, rape and abortion, as well as a brief foray into homosexuality and the way it was viewed at the time, this book won't particularly tell you anything new if, like me, you're someone who's pretty widely read in either the history of the period or how sex and sexuality were viewed.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Dieter Moitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This book was provided at not cost by NetGalley, where this review has been posted.

The Georgian era, which extends from King George I to George IV and even includes William IV, means roughly the 18th and very early 19th century. It follows a rather prudish period and precedes a another rather prudish one called the Victorian era. As such, it is extremely interesting to investigate how sex and sexuality were experienced in that short lapse of time, something this book sets out to describe. And I daresay, it turns out to be an extremely interesting read. No unhealthy voyeurism, no unwholesome exhibitionism or sensationalism in here, but facts, statistics, quotes, excerpts from contemporary letters, newspaper articles, travel descriptions, and so on.

The author has a perfect sense of how to “cut” his topic into small, easily digestible chapters, the main subjects of which range from prostitution to sex toys, from homosexuality to contraception, from abortion to VDs. Furthermore, the author knows how to write (agreeably, I might want to add) and how to entertain his writers whilst presenting historical data; there are even countless passages where his wry and subtle humour shone through, making me giggle while reading. In one word, a pleasant and instructive book which puts all things sexual and sex-related into the easily understandable historical perspective of that remarkable period.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publishers - Pen & Sword History - for accepting my request to read this as an EARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This is an easy and a very informative way of approaching the subject of sex and sexuality in 1700s Britain. The book is divided in several different chapters all about a certain aspect of sex/sexuality which gives an easy-to-follow overview. The chapters are not terribly long either with helps holding my interest, at least. Rendell also includes various illustations from the time period which further helps the reader visualise how a 1700-person percieved sex/sexuality.

It's interesting to note how some things has stayed the same over the last 300+ years but also how much has changed in the general view of these topics. Some things - of course - have changed for the better. - for example the view on female sexuality. Sex and sexuality has a big part of humane life, and having a book to exploring how the history of sex, if you will, has progressed is so very interesting to me.

I really enjoyed reading this book - and was appalled at some things (in a good way I think, shows us that some things change for the better) - and would really much enjoy reading the author's other books on the subject!

[Jamice Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be on of my favorite history books ever! Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain, had me from the word sooterkins, yes it is an actual word. Lol I was so throughly entertained by this book and astonished by all the absurd thoughts people had about sex in the past. Even though 2020 has been an interesting year, I would take living in this age then living back in the day. Although I really wish it were true that my menstrual blood had magical powers such as controlling the weather and make knifes dull. It would make shark week even more interesting. Don’t let this book scare you because it’s a “history” book, because you will miss out on so much.

[Kitty Pollock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sex and sexuality in Georgian Britain cant be that scandalous, after all this is an era not as stiff upper lip as the Victorians but still proper! Think again, this book is an excellent read with great insight into this historic time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Beth Younge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this like the others in this series, interesting, funny, accessible and detailed. The writing was great and i liked how this presented. This is well worth a read.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Natalie L · Rating 4 out of 5]

After binge-watching “Bridgerton”, I, as I’m sure, many of its viewers, had questions about the sex bits of the show, since sex and sexuality make for an integral part of it. 👩‍❤️‍👨
Upon finishing the book, my curiosity was well and fully sated: the volume told me much about the relations between the sexes, between the same sexes, as well as the attitudes towards all sorts of variations, or what we would call today ‘spicing it up’.
The book also covers the acts that were and/or are illegal, e.g. bestiality. The narrative is peppered with instances of prostitution: voluntary and involuntary, which makes one sympathetic for the state welfare we have today. ⚙️
The tome also informs the reader about the law in relation to all the above - and the various Acts put through by Parliament. 📜To me, the most memorable one was the Malicious Shooting and Stabbing Act of 1803, which changed the way the law looked at abortions. 🩸
Of course, the Coitus Interruptus, which “Bridgerton” uses to an extent of a plot device, is also mentioned, and surprisingly (spoiler alert!), it would have indeed been popular among married couples. 💍Though unlike their 21-st century counterparts, who have access to sex and reproduction education at their fingertips, the Georgian men and women had little understanding of what actually made a baby. 👨‍👩‍👦
All in all, it’s a great source of knowledge for all things sex-related in Georgian Britain within the bounds of popular history. 💃🏻It makes the reader appreciate how far some issues have progressed, how some matters and viewpoints have not changed much, and how much work there is yet to be done.
.
.
Tweaks: the author keeps mentioning 1827 as the year George IV died, whereas it was actually 1830. He also referred to Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” as the play with the characters Perdita and Florizel, when in fact it’s “The Winter’s Tale”.

[Roxana]

Mike Rendell's examination of Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain is an interesting and, for the most part, relatively expansive book, considering how brief and readable it is.

I appreciate the ways in which it pushes against the all-too-common idea that queer sexualities and gender outside a rigid binary are new or ahistorical, but, given that, the book notably fails when it comes to talking about cross-dressing/transvestitism and people like Dr. James Barry, who lived their lives as a gender other than that which they'd been assigned at birth. I understand to some degree avoiding ahistorical labeling and terminology, but this feels like an invalidation of the historical figures' own self-identification to a disappointing degree. Frankly, it feels less historically authentic and conscientious than respecting and reflecting on people's identities would have been. It's a small part of the book, but unfortunately striking, not in a good way.

In general, I do think the book could have benefitted from greater analysis, connection, and contextualization, rather than a certain amount of just providing the information; it reads more as a reference, or a book of interesting historical anecdotes & details, than as a substantial history on the topic. Not uninteresting by any means, but not as enlightening as I'd hoped for; informative rather than thought-provoking.

I received a copy of this book from Pen & Sword History via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars. I found this book mostly informative, especially to combat the idea that everyone in history was cishet and didn’t experiment with sex when it was permissible, as some pearl clutchers seem to think. Some of parts make for uncomfortable reading (like the bits about pedophilia), but I appreciate the author for shining a light on it. I also liked the compassionate, informed discussion about venereal diseases.
The section on “cross-dressing” is poorly done though, especially given some of the knowledge that has come out in more recent times about figures like James Barry in regards to trans identity. Even if trans as a label did not exist back then, it still invalidates the lived experience of people like Barry to say he was just a cross-dressing woman, when he viewed himself as a man.
Otherwise, this is a fairly informative overview, and one that can serve as starting point for history enthusiasts.

[Bianca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was bought as a gift and I haven’t rushed through it as, technically, I read it for research rather than pleasure. However, it was a very interesting read, even if the subject matter did sometimes leave a foul taste in the mouth. It was hard going at times because I couldn’t help but compare the Georgians and their attitudes with modern standards. The chapters on rape and child prostitution are particularly unsettling.

I think the author did a really good job of balancing a certain amount of wit with the serious, and sometimes disturbing, subject matter. As I write historical fiction, it suited my purpose perfectly, and I’ll no doubt return to reference it on many occasions.

After reading this book it is clear that the Georgians lived through a period of greater sexual freedoms without censure; BUT only if you were male, and rich, and not homosexual.

As the author succinctly states in his conclusion:
“...in the eighteenth century if people were not having sex, they were writing about sex, reading about sex, or using sex as a means to discredit or blackmail their enemies.”

[Emilio · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, I write this review. In reviewing other works of non fiction who explore societies perception on sex and sexuality would be in Victorian Britain. Now in this review shall I focus then on sex and sexuality in Georgian Britain authored by Mike Randell he uses known stereotypes within this era and shows the underbelly to how people in this society wrote, created works of art, had political intrigues and developed a nuanced examination into Georgian sexuality. Randell examines the political shifts that occurred during this time period ( eighteen and early nineteenth-century Britain) giving allowances for tastes,styles, in sexual behavior to become developed or known. Randell gives a voice to the spiritual and to the prevailing opinions in science at the time as well. This book was one that kept my interest and give it a strong four out of five stars on goodreads.

[Rosemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very frank and occasionally explicit discussion of sex and sexuality in Georgian Britain. Some of it will shock, especially the chapters about rape and child sexual abuse, crimes that were rarely prosecuted. It gives a good introduction to not only the title areas but social conventions and beliefs, laws and how they were applied in the period.

[Cosima demaglie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written by Mike Rendell ; great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of his books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

A good overview of the subject, though the author does belabor some points. But while there was a lot of information it never quite managed to really pull itself much beyond a run-of-the-mill pop history of the subject (even though the author obviously did extensive research).

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for those who have an interest in either the Georgian era or sexuality history. Different topics and people talked about.

[Eugenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good read, though the formatting of the e book wasn’t the best. It was well organized, informative and included good and expressive illustrations.