Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts: A History of Sex for Sale

by Kate Lister

Authored by one of the most original contemporary thinkers on the subject, this book is an enlightening illustrated cultural history of the sex trade that puts sex workers center stage, revealing how they have lived and worked all around the globe. The history of selling sex is a hidden one―and too often its practitioners are pushed to the margins of history. This book redresses the balance, revealing the history of the sex trade through the eyes of sex workers, from medieval streets to Wild West saloons, and from brothels to state bedrooms. These enthralling tales are brought to life by Whores of Yore creator Kate Lister’s witty and authoritative text, and illuminated by a rich archive of photographs, artworks, and objects offering insight into sex workers’ lives, challenging assumptions about this age-old trade. Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts ’ chapters are structured thematically in a broadly chronological order, each one introducing a lively cast of complex and entertaining characters operating in an array of different periods, locations, and settings. In ancient Mesopotamia, the harlot Shamhat was powerful and respected, able to civilize the wild man Enkidu through her charms. In medieval London, Elizabeth Moryng serviced religious clergy under the guise of an embroidery business, though she was eventually jailed for being a prolific panderer and bawd. In the hedonistic floating world of Edo, Japan, Kabuki actresses and geishas entertained and pleasured their patrons. Lister’s engaging and illuminating tales invite readers to look, listen, and reconsider everything they thought they knew about the world’s oldest profession. Together, these captivating tales of sex workers from around the world and throughout history provide a powerful context to contemporary debates about sexuality and the empowerment of women. 500 illustrations

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Feminism, Historical, Audiobook, Sexuality, Sex Work

256 pages, Hardcover

Published October 26, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Kate Lister is a lecturer at Leeds Trinity University, where she researches the history of sexuality and curates the online research project Whores of Yore. Kate is also a columnist for iNews, Vice, and the Wellcome Trust where she writes about the history of sex. Kate won a Sexual Freedom Award for Publicist of the Year in 2017.

Reviews

[Helga · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-researched and engaging history of sex for sale, portraying numerous sex-workers throughout history and the authorities’ and public’s response to the world's oldest profession from the Middle Ages to the WWII.

[Johann (jobis89) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-researched and entertaining history of sex work. I love everything Lister puts out into the world!

[Liva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jau no seniem laikiem līdz pat mūsdienām prostitūcijas apkarotāji vispirms vēršas pret pašiem naktstauriņiem nevis pret tiem, kuri pērkamās mīlas pakalpojumu gatavi apmaksāt. Taču izrādās, ka bieži vien ir bijis brīdis, kad lielie cīnītāji nav iebilduši gūt kādu daļu peļņas no prostitūcijas. Ja gribas tādu izsmeļošu enciklopēdiska satura grāmatu - šī ir īstā. Īpaša vērtība - dažādu vēsturisku mākslas darbu attēlojums. Skaista grāmata!

Plašāk blogā: https://lalksne.blogspot.com/2021/11/...

[Agris Fakingsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

..šajā grāmatā iemīlējos vēl nesācis to lasīt. tēma vien ir iemesls iemīlēt šo darbu. un tad ir ievads, kam dots nosaukums "Pežgrābstu šķērsielu stāsti", uz ko esmu greizsirdīgs, jo tādu nosaukumu noteikti būtu gribējis pats izdomāt un kādreiz izmantot. un tad visa tā vēsture un bildes šajās 250+ lapaspusēs. esmu sajūsmu pilns.

[Inese Okonova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sen neviena grāmata nebija mani tā nokaitinājusi. Nē, ne jau ar tēmu. Ja jau papūlējos pasūtīt no bibliotēkas, interese bija un ar tēmu viss ir kārtībā. Grāmata ir krāšņa, bagātīgi ilustrēta un lasījās aizraujoši. Ar to arī viss ir kārtībā. Ir samērā daudz atsauču un arī ievērojams literatūras saraksts beigās. Protams, žēl, ka katram vēsturiskajam periodam veltītas vien dažas lapas un tādēļ tāds virspusīgs iespaids vien rodas par katru apskatīto periodu, bet tāds ir izvēlētais formāts, un arī šeit man nebūtu, kam piesieties.

Vēl piebildīšu, ka man nav nekādu iebildumu, ka vēsturnieks pētījumā ietilpina arī savu viedokli. Apzinos, ka objektīva un bezkaislīga patiesība ir tikai mērķis, uz ko sniegties, un viedoklis, ja tas ir labi un asprātīgi pasniegts, tikai palīdz iedziļināties tēmā un, neslēpsim, padara akadēmisku darbu lasīšanu interesantāku.

Tad kur ir problēma?

Problēma slēpjas tajā, ka pirmajā nodaļā, kas veltīta pirmajām civilizācijām un apskata mazzināmo sakrālo prostitūciju, viss ir ļoti skaisti: Autore norāda, ka, pirmkārt, mēs par to zinām ļoti maz, un, otrkārt, mēs nedrīkstam uztiept tam kriksītim, ko zinām, savus priekšstatus, jo senie cilvēki, visticamāk, uz tempļu priesterienēm un viņu darbu skatījās citādi nekā mēs. Ne ko pielikt, ne ko atņemt. BET, kad mēs stāstā nonākam līdz 19. gadsimtam, tad izrādās, ka šie cilvēki ir pelnījuši tikai un vienīgi mūsu nosodījumu, ka nav bijuši gana progresīvi un nav spējuši izprast problēmu pēc 200 gadu vēlākas nākotnes standartiem. Turklāt pa biksēm dabū gan tie, kas prostitūtās saskatīja izlaidīgas netikles, gan tie a priori divkosīgie humānisti (piemēram, Dikenss), kas skatījās uz viņām kā uz nabadzības upuriem un centās "kritušās sievietes" atgriezt tikumīgai dzīvei.
Citiem vārdiem, cenšoties lasītājam norādīt uz stereotipiem un stigmu, kas daudzējādā ziņā nepelnīti saistīta ar pērkamo mīlu, autore, manuprāt, apzināti un ar prieku dziļi ielec otrā grāvī, nedodot balstiesības senāku laiku mazākprogresīvajiem un pat savam laikam ļoti progresīvajiem ļaudīm, kas, nelieši tādi, nespēja izrauties no sava gadsimta domas.

[Kiku · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well put together primer on the history of
sex work across time and in various cultures, supplemented by beautifully presented art and photographs. Each chapter is about a different point in history and/or a different culture. Perhaps the first time a non-memoir book on sex work is sex worker positive (Dr. Lister's support of the decriminalization of sex work, as opposed to use of the so-called Nordic model, is argued in the book's final chapter, in case there is doubt as to where she stands on the issue) which is a decidedly pleasant change. Some chapters are noticeably shorter than others, mainly the chapters on China and Japan; but though I can only speak for Japan in particular, I can say with certainty that this is only due to lack of available material as opposed to bias-- and as far as I can tell from my own research which may even have access to more than Dr. Lister's as I do not have to rely on only English-language materials, what she does present is just as accurate in that chapter as any of the others. (I admit that I probably focused in a little too much on this for review purposes, as had I gone down a slightly different path I may have been a contributor to that chapter, so it reminded me personally of just how little information is actually available about the aspects of some cultures that were victims of moralizing across time. ANYWAY.)

Highly recommended for a pleasant read that won't leave you bored, especially in the hardcover edition for the visual aspects, which contain both black and white and color pieces.

[Eva Pormeistere IG lapaspusempapedam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grāmatas autore ir arī lektore, kura ikdienā pēta seksa darba vēsturi, vada digitālu arhīvu seksualitātes vēstures pētījumiem.Šī profesionālā pieredze ir jūtama katrā grāmatas lapaspusē.Caur vēstures faktiem,foto liecībām,arheoloģiskajiem atradumiem,saistošā un interesantā valodā lasītājs tiek iepazīstināts ar tā dēvēto "(itkā) vecāko profesiju pasaulē" jeb pērkamo mīlas vēsturi sākot no Divupes laikmeta līdz pat mūsdienām, parādot ar ko tik nav nācies cīnīties šīm dāmām un arī kungiem - naktstauriņiem.

Grāmata man ļoti patika. Pirmkārt vēlējos paslavēt grāmatas noformējumu - lapaspušu biezums,satura rādītāja un nodaļu dizainiskais noformējums kā durvis uz ko slepenu un aizliegtu,cietie vāki - tas viss kopā veidoja burvīgu baudījumu pat nesākot vēl lasīt pašu grāmatu, un sniedza apziņu,ka šī grāmata noteikti izturēs laika zobu un vēl citas paaudzes to varēs lasīt.

Bet pats saturs mani pārsteidza vēl vairāk - neskaitāmi fakti un notikumi, kas man bija jaunatklājums, daži fakti pat mani šokēja. Ne vienmēr izvēle "Būt par priekameitu" bija trūkuma un nabadzības solis, reizēm tā bija brīva izvēle, tādēļ es apbrīnoju šo drosmi izvēlēties šādu ceļu, apzinoties, ka Tevi nicinās, kritizēs, pazemos. Cik meistarīgi apraksta tos maģiskos svaru kausus, kur vienā pusē parāda cīņu pret prieka meitu arodu, nosodījumu, likumu izveidošanu ar atbilstošiem sodiem, un otrā svaru kausā tie paši likuma izveidotāji, kas pēc kaislīgas nakts kādā bordelī, izlemj, ka šī štellīte valsts kasē nesīs nodokļus, tiek veidoti speciāli kvartāli, kur šos priekus baudīt, un pat baznīca iesaistas ar šī aroda atbalstīšanu ne tikai licenžu izdošanā, bet arī savu bordeļu atvēršanā. Lasot grāmatu, manī ik pa laikam radās dusmas. Ja ir pieprasījums, tad ir piedāvājums - cik negodīgi par vainīgām izcelt prieka meitas šajā darījumā, bet šo pakalpojumu izmantotājiem šajā ēnā mazgāt sevi nevainībā...

Manuprāt,šī grāmata ir virspusīgs ieskats dažādu laika posmu pērkamās mīlas vēsturē, kas noteikti ir pelnījusi turpinājumu -katru laikmetu "paņemot priekšā" vēl skrupulozāk, sīkāk un dziļāk!

[Lauma Gurgone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesanti lasīt, kā prostitūcija vienmēr tikusi nosodīta, bet vīrieši, kuri izmanto prostitūtu pakalpojumus, nosodīti netiek un viņiem pārmetumu lavīna iet garām. Tā bijis prostitūcijas pirmsākumos un tā notiek arī tagad.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not a comprehensive history because it's a short book, but I listened to the audiobook and will also listen to her other book A Curious History of Sex.

The book takes a reader around the world and back through and up to current history about sex for sale. Highlighting concubines and samurai who thought nothing of gay sex as well as specific women who enraptured certain men, brothels, and war. Topics that fascinated me included a country's stance on sex during war particularly when men were getting sick and/or dying of sexually transmitted diseases. Lister mentioned how men would be hosed down and embarrassed in order to prevent them from (hopefully) doing it again. She highlights the floating boat in Japan and kabuki and geishas. And perhaps the most memorable was how the Italian dessert tiramisu (a favorite of mine!) was born- albeit a little different than the current iteration- in a pleasure house in Italy as a "pull me up" / pick me up for the women who also served it to their clients to keep their energy stores.

A delightful short piece about sex for sale.

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it if you like (I think it was relatively short) but there are better books out there

[Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shares the history of paid companionship with images, including a Bible story. Shares efforts to restrain the behavior but bad law making made it worse. Looks at locations around the globe. Insightful.

[Sandra Koka (pielasit_sirdi) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grāmata, kas pārsteigs ne tikai ar nezināmiem faktiem, šokēs ar vēstures liecībām, bet arī iepriecinās visizlepušāko lasītāju ar brīnišķīgi nostrādātu sējumu. Detaļas, kvalitatīvie dokumentālie foto, teksta struktūra, izvietojums, lappušu biezums- tas viss liecina, ka pie šī darba kvalitātes latiņas ir ļoti piestrādāts un veikts brīnumains darbs, lai lasītājam sniegtu visvērtīgāko. Piedevām, kas vēl detalizētāk varēs izvilkt esenci no vēstures lappusēm, ja ne lektore, kas pēta seksa darba vēsturi. Bet zināšanas ir nekam nederīgas, ja vien tās nespētu pasniegt aizraujoši arī vienkāršam lasītājam no malas. Jāteic gan, ka Keitas Listeres darbs nav no vieglākajiem- prast izstāstīt par konfrontējošo tematu tā, lai lauztu stigmas, steriotipus un aizspriedumus par vienu no senākajām profesijām. Un te ir primais mīts, ko apgāž autore, ka tā nemaz nevarētu būt senākā profesija.

💄Grāmata aizraujošā veidā izklāsta pērkamā seksa vēsturi no senās Divupes līdz mūsdienām. Eiropa, Āzija, Amerika- katrai no tām laika griežos ir veidojusies sava pērkamā seksa kultūra, atkarībā no valstu ģeogrāfiskā novietojuma, vēsturiskās un tradicionālās ietekmes. Tik daudz nezināmā, biedējošā un pārsteidzošā. 💄Bet neskatoties ne uz ko- pērkamā seksa industrijā sieviete jebkurā gadījumā kā sabiedrības locekle tiek pilnībā pazemināta, kritizēta, izstumta un stigmatizēta. Gadsimti nav spējuši mainīt šo naktstauriņu neaizsargātību un nosodīšanu, arvien pieverot acis uz pelēko masu, kas ir to klienti. Arī kari un likumdošana, kas mēģinājusi ierobežot un izskaust bordeļus, līdz galam nekad nav strādājusi. Vietās, kur aizveras vienas durvis, atveras citur nākamās.

💄”Vai, kā atklāti atzinis amerikāņu ģenerālis Džordžs Patons:"Ja viņi nedrāžas, tad viņi nekaro." Taču valdībām visā pasaulē drīz vien nācās secināt, ka kareivji, kas drāžās bieži, nekaro vispār."

💄 Iesaku! Tu b��si pārsteigts/a!

[Nashwa S · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I love about Kate Lister is how much work and research she puts in to her books. This was an insightful and compassionate look into sex work - how it originated in different countries, what were the driving factors, and how women are often treated so much worse than men in the same line of work.


Would recommend, if you can read with an open mind 🙃

[Raimonda Grabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grāmata par vienu no stigmatizētākajām sabiedrības grupām pasaules vēsturē.
Darbs palīdzēja gan vairāk izprast šo sieviešu ikdienu, panākumus un izaicinājumus, gan arī apjaust milzīgos robus tieslietu sistēmā, kas diskriminē “kurtizānes” arī mūsdienās.

[Alisa Kiļjane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ļoti izzinoši!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second by Kate Lister and a great expansion on sex work specifically for those who've read The Curious History of Sex. This is a very broad introduction to the topic, covering thousands of years and several continents, giving us glimpses into cultural shifts and defining moments in each era. A great starting point for anyone who wants to better understand the long history of sex work and the cyclical attempts to criminalize, zone, regulate and otherwise repress sex work and workers throughout millennia. 

[Dainis Deigelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grāmata tiem ,kas grib kliedēt savus stereotipus, par prostitūcijas vēsturi un par šī darba veicējām. un lieliski apliecina to, ka ne vienmēr rūpes par kādu grupu nozīmē palīdzību, bet vēl dziļāku stigmatizāciju.

[Emily Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great audiobook - Kate Lister is such a good storyteller and historian. I love betwixt the sheets and loved this book just as much - important stories about the exploitation and power of women in an ignored part of history

[Halli Starling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating overview of sex and the sale of it (and not just "the act) from the owner of the Whores of Yore site.

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book invites you to move beyond the headlines, the sensation and the stereotypes of sex work and meet the people who made their money selling sexual services. — Kate Lister

Warnings: NSFW imagery, Sucidal references and imagery, References to Germany in WWII.

I'm so pleased I followed my instincts and read this. I borrowed it from the library and it is a little outside my usual wheelhouse. Although I guess it is looking at history through a specific lens so it's not that far out. Kate Lister has done a wonderful job humanising an often marginalised or Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts shows vilified group of people. Importantly to me, she doesn't forget male sex workers, though there is less focus on them. Lister has included a generous amount of images breaking up the words and increasing that humanisation process, especially as it becomes known who that image is of or they are photos.

There are some details on the warnings that need to be given, there is a discussion of suicide and an image of a girl attempting suicide. I feel it needs to go without saying that this is NSFW it doesn't just discuss sex it shows some sexual images and nudity (including photography). On one page there are Buddhist symbols, called manji in Japanese, that were corrupted by the Nazis. On the map 1905 map, I believe they are indicative of the locations of the Buddist temples. Finally, Germany in WWII is discussed heavily in chapter 11. It is possible to skip this section and avoid the references but not the symbols on the map which is in chapter 5.

The first thing I noticed about this is just how prettily designed it is, with thanks to Anil Aykan and Sara Ozvaldic at Branbrook. Just look at the contents page.

Source: Images from Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts (my photos)

Those artistic designs in the arches are perfectly suited for the time they are dedicated to. The designs are beautifully carried throughout the book on the cover pages for each chapter. Each one features the title, subtitle and a quote from a relevant text on the right-hand page. And a black page with only a keyhole peep of an illustration on the left-hand page.

Source: Images from Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts (my photos)

It is just a stunning basic design perfectly suited to the content. It makes Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts so appealing from the outset.

As with most of my non-fiction books this review will now just become a collection of thoughts in dot points.
• This has a perfect opening story. Kate Lister chooses to use the 5 best-known sex workers to introduce her humanising of all the women in their position. Better, she introduces the idea that the canonical 5 weren't all prostitutes. Two were (Stride and Kelly), and three were not (Nichols, Chapman and Eddowes). The introduction shows the vilification that the researcher who initially posed this theory received from Ripperoligists. The cost of completely upending an established narrative and humanising victims.
You've gotta love how shocked male researchers became at the idea of sex not being a "civilised" thing ie a mark of modern civilisation.
• Shamhat the Harlot is the oldest/ earliest surviving example of a sexual transaction (Epic of Gilgamesh). That is so much older than I would have thought. But it does make me awe at the power of the priestesses of Ishtar/Inanna.
• On the devidasi of India, part of Hindu tradition. FFS Britain, this is why we can't have nice things. You reframed talented, skilled and worthy women as prostitutes, you made them that? Great job destroying a several hundred-year-old tradition with your morals.
• The academic discussion about Pompeii and Herculaneum's frescos is amusing to me. We have options as to what these gorgeous pieces of art could be. Erotic art intended to arose, humorous art, or a menu of the services offered by the bathhouse. One and three are also an option and the one that appeals to me. The craftsmanship of them though.
• Oh good lord a historian wrote a checklist of how to tell if a building was used primarily to sell sex. All very logical points.
• Of course, the Bishop of Winchester was one of the greatest (indirect) whoremongers in the 15th century. But damn he protected his girls from clients and those directly in charge of them. These women were called The Geese (the chapter is named after them).
• Chopins (sometimes spelt chopines) look nasty. Though there is a platform element to them they would likely be hidden under dresses anyway. Walking on slippery copplestones in them Just another impressive of an Italian disonesta (dishonest woman).

Source: Chopines at the MET

• The stress of the peer pressure to name a mistress in the 1500s. One of the kings of Prussia, Fredrick I appointed a woman, Catherine von Wartenberg as Royal mistress but never slept with her
• In the chapter The Honest Courtesans there are a lot of very recogniable names late on. But that is because these women were in some places the power behind the throne. If only for a time.
• The Pleasures of the Moon is such a pleasing section title. It was the section of that chapter that appealed to me the most.
• Living only for the moment giving all our time to the pleasures of the moon, the snow, cherry blossoms and maple leaves singing songs, drinking sake, caressing each other, just drifting, drifting, never giving a care if we have no money, never sad in our hearts, only like a plant moving on the rivers current, that is what is called ukiyo - The Floating World. — This quote from 1661 is one of my favourites in the whole book. It just pulls you into the time. It helped me understand. (Asai Ryōi, p91.)
• Confucian philosophy is bought into this; oddly, it makes sense. Double standard included.
• Just be aware of the erotic art which has way more di**s than I was expecting for Japan. But you know it is effective.
• There are two maps of prostitution precincts included. Both were a complete surprise. The lesser of the two is Storyville a precinct in New Orleans in the early 1900s. The map is simple but well-labelled, the focus is on practicality. It has nothing on the stunning map of The Nightless City from Edo (now Tokyo) in the mid-1800s. It has a practical aspect but it is a work of art. There is so much detail and beauty in it. You can see where everything fits in, notably the Buddist Temples are also marked by the manji symbol.
• The orijin of the Geisha are great. They essentially came from a ban on female performers in Kabuki theatre. Kabuki itself has a pretty good origin story.
• I never knew the Japanese word for a male sex worker, I mean it's not something that comes up in everyday conversation is it? Kagema. At this point in history (before European morals spread) there was no stigma against homosexuality between men. Among the samurai class, it was considered honourable. Can we have this back?
• The images chosen to end this chapter are great. Tombs at Jōkan-ji Temple. Women too poor to afford a burial any other way.
• Yes... we get a chapter dedicated to boys. Molly Houses and Mary-Anns. The keyhole image for this chapter is great. It's eye-catching in a way the others aren't always.

Source: Images from Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts (my photos)

• Random note on Molly Houses, a book recommendation for Molly Boys by Vawn Cassidy events in this chapter are focal in that book.
• I appreciate the effort made to differentiate the Molly Houses from other chapters in this book. Molly Houses aren't brothels, the sale of sex isn't the point. They are more like social clubs geared towards a gay clientele providing a social space and rooms for sex. That is the point. Inclusion in a time of deadly homophobia.
• There is a stunning illustration of the famed Chevalier/Chevalière d'Eon from 1777. They are one of my favourite queer people.

Source: Chevalier d'Éon on Wikipedia (public domain image)

• The death of Catherine Hayes in 1824 for murdering her husband (and hence petty treason) was just messed up. That executioner did not do his job properly.
• Master of the Plum Blossoms introduces the world's best pirate on the first page, herself a former flower girl. Though the name used is Cheng I Sao (trans. wife of Cheng).
• Historians have long questioned how Cheng I Sao was able to amass her pirate empire. Why did men follow a woman in the first place? Cheng I Sao was everything a good woman was not. But as a flower girl from the brothels, she was not expected to be servile and she knew the world of men. Her training in business, politics, and of course how to control men and manipulate men all served her well when it came to running the Red Flag Fleet. — Possibly one of the best quotes about Cheng I Sao. But it is also something I had never really thought of. (p.138)
• I is more than just Cheng I Sao who started life as a courtesan. The chapter looks at some of the women who used the skills acquired on the flower boats to elevate their position in life. Geishas and courtesans in that manner are famed for their artistry and skill.
• Oh man the porclin fruit. They are such a beautiful gift for a woman on her wedding night from a mother. Trunk bottoms are the perfect name for them. At that time a woman would not be expected to know how to please her husband. It is a stunning, intricate art and a wonderful piece of social history for me.
• Erotic art on the soles of ceramic shoes? That is an expensive surprise. They are stunning and I wonder who they were intended for.
• Elizabeth Burley's story is scary and probably not all that rare. I always hated the fallen women thing.
• The paired images of the 19th century were a pretty good idea given the social stigmas of the day. The way they show the highs and lows, ups and downs kinda works as a way to prove their point. But it does kinda feel like it is the inverse that is likely to be more true. Start low, and move up a little, though not to the extreme. They are well drawn though.
• Josephine Butler was a feisty and badass woman in the 1860s working for the betterment of conditions for sex workers, her husband George must have been a helluva man. Not many men of the time would have permitted their wives to be so outspoken. Yes, she was playing saviour but I'll accept it due to the time and her religious upbringing. Also the term "surgical rape" feels so astoundingly modern and forward-thinking.
• There are some lovely portraits of the 'pretty little horsebreakers' a group of horseriding courtesans from the 1860-70s. This period has some lovely photos of sex workers.
• I remarked how curious a fact it was that all American women look so genteel and refined even the lowest [born] — small head, thin silky hair, delicate eyebrows yet thick set ones. [The Doctor answered]. "Oh, that is easy to be accounted for, the superabundance of public women, who were always rather good-looking, were sent over in former times." — Someone finally said the thing. The mothers of the country cannot be understated and these women are a long-ignored part of America's story. A public woman is exactly what you think 'a female prostitute'. But it also applies to Australia our pioneering women (at least on the East Coast) were largely convicts, public women. (Dr Francis Lieber, p.163)
• I'm going to be honest some of the fear-mongering works in the early 1900s were fantastic. I love The Tenement a Menace to All by Udo Klepper. As a piece of art is wonderful.
• Storyville was so well designed and the idea of creating the 'blue books' directories/guides to the local.... attractions was a masterstroke. Though it wasn't just about sex it was about jazz as well. As many people went there for the music as the sex.
• The catalogue provided for New Mahogany Hall was in fantastic condition. With a magnifying glass/ phone, I could still read the details and stories of these women.
• The sheer number of sex workers in Paris during the Belle Epoque was insane.
• The Lanterne Verte was a brothel; it was declared as such, and in its large hall furnished as a cafe, baked girls served the offer of the house. A schoppen of white wine cost a franc and [anyone] who wanted to fu*k or wank one... paid [the waitress] forty souls. Everything happened on the bench or the chair of the establishment. There were no rooms customers entering were usually surprised at two or three pairs who were just in full swing. This Lanterne Verte was a prosperous business, each waitress served thirty customers on average between twelve o'clock and five o'clock in the morning, which bought her sixty francs. — Reading the description of The Lanterne Verte (The Green Lantern) is confronting. It feels like a voyeur or exhibitionist's dream. But it's also good business those frescos from Pompeii have now been replaced by real couples... well coupleing. Acting as a menu of the offerings, the skills of some of the women and as erotica to entice any reticent men. But the women that worked here must have experienced some things. (Sylvain Bon Mariage, p.101)
• Just yes to the entrepreneurship that is mobile brothels in WWI and WWII. If the men can't come to you go to them. But that was also extremely dangerous. In those days money was money and gotta put food on the table somehow (still the case now).
• Never thought I'd say this about the German military. But I appreciate their pragmatism. When it comes to the choice between education or head in the sand when it was clear the abstinence directive wasn't working. They chose to educate their soldiers and provide places for them to go to be with women. America? Well, America and Britain went into full-on ostrich mode.
• Holy Sh*t America you did what to your own soldiers? (It involves a commanding officer, scrubbing and antiseptic somewhere it shouldn't be) At least Britain only humiliated theirs. Ugh.
• Omg the suffering that some of the women in France suffered. First at the hand of the Nazis with sexual slavery then at the hands of their own people. Labelled as an outcast and becoming an outcast at best or murdered at worst.

As most males want to deem themselves potent and virile, your primary concern is to not hurt their ego...let them imagine they have the initiative, even though it is in your hands. With someone who does not have the stamina, you must feign satisfaction even though he may discharge the moment he enters you. You can still let his shrunken organ remain inside, embracing and caressing him as if he were the most wonderful man you have had... For your own good, you have to make him discharge as quickly as you can. You must take the initiative without his knowledge. You can move your hips like a millstone in action, holding his waist tightly and stocking his spine near the waist gently but persistently... But be sure to let him have some fun, or his ego will be pricked and you will lose a customer. — 'Master of the Cherry Blossoms' (this feels like it is a trick all these women would have picked up even if we only have evidence of the Chinse courtesans openly being taught it)

Read for POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2024. Filling prompt Advanced Prompt #2 "A Book With 24 Letters in the Title" 2️⃣4️⃣
I'm cheating a little on this prompt. I'm counting characters not letters, so the ampersand is one letter, not three. The ampersand is part of the title and to me treating it as a letter in this title feels right. Also, I want to promote it.
As for not including the punctuation sue me, this prompt is a b****h.

A representative gif:

[Mads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Lister's Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts is a beautiful book.

You can tell this (the plight and history of sex workers) is something that Kate is passionate about. Kate writes history with plain and honest insight, all backed by verbal histories, paper records and historical artefacts. While it's impossible to truly know the minds of prostitutes from hundreds (and even thousands) of years past, H, W & H acknowledges this, and offers the ghost of a voice to this underrepresented cohort. The chapters move through history and across the world, and cover a vast amount of ground.

Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts: A History of Sex for Sale is fascinating, humorous, moving, and all bound up in a stunning hardback. Filled with full-colour illustrations and photos, we're given a glittering and honest insight into an ever-overlooked slice of human history.

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Lister's second book paints a kind, sypathetic picture of "Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts" throughout the history. It is a fascinating read, enriched with so many beautiful illustrations and pictures.

I also recommend Kate Lister's research project "Whores of Yore" and the hilarious hashtag #historicalhottie Lister established on Twitter.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Lister has again written a compelling and compassionate book. There is a dearth of information from a wide range of time periods and locales. I love her sense of humor and heart.

[Evita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Izlasīju praktiski vienā elpas vilcienā. Ļoti aizraujoša un interesanta, protams, arī bagātīgi ilustrēta un lieliski noformēta. Bet uzreiz jābrīdina, ka tā nav diez cik informatīva - detalizētu prostitūcijas vēsturi nebūtu iespējams ietvert vien 250 lapaspusēs. Dažādie laikmeti, ģeolokācijas un prostitūcijas veidi nav kārtīgi izķidāti, bet gan tiek sniegts neliels ieskats tajos. Teksts nav sauss, patiesībā ļoti atgādināja "Ilustrēto vēsturi".

Taču ir arī problēmas, kuru dēļ es nespēju ielikt 5 zvaigznītes. Grāmatā ir daudz kļūdu... Piemēram, prievārds "dēļ" bieži vien ir iebāzts, kur vien pagadās, kādas personas uzvārds tiek atveidots dažādās variācijās (turklāt - vienā un tajā pašā lapaspusē), nepareizi attēlu apraksti un noteikti arī citas kļūdas, kuras nepamanīju, lasot vēlu vakarā. Tas automātiski lika šaubīties arī par vēsturisko faktu pareizību.

Ja jau sāku piesieties, tad gribu pasūdzēties arī par informācijas atkārtošanos pamattekstā un ilustrāciju aprakstos. Vēlreiz arī uzsvēršu, ka grāmata ir vairāk izklaidējoša, nevis informatīva.

Neskatoties uz to, esmu ļoti priecīga, ka šī grāmata ir manā īpašumā. Tās turēšana rokās un šķirstīšana vien jau sagādā prieku.

[Karolína Hubáčková · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proměna dějin a společenské povahy. Žádná nudná učebnice, ale drzá a zábavná procházka od starověku po dnešek, zaměřená na ženy poskytující fyzické potěšení – ví se o nich víc, než by se dalo čekat.

Autorka bere čtenáře od populárních hetér v antickém Řecku přes démonizované „hříšnice” středověku až po pracovnice v koncentračních táborech. Například kapitola o starověkých hetérách přináší nejen fakta, ale i úsměvné pasáže o tom, jak jejich „důvtip a půvab” často přecházeli v boj o moc nad muži, kteří je podceňovali. Každá kapitola je nabitá trefnými poznámkami, ironickými poznatky a historkami, které ukazují, že dvojí morálka je stará jak sám svět. Svérázně propojuje historii s uměním – od starověkých reliéfů, přes renesanční obrazy kurtizán, až po dokumentární fotografie – a přitom nikdy nezapomíná zdůraznit, jak moc tyto „padlé ženy” vlastně ovlivňovaly dění kolem sebe.

Je to ostré, zábavné, občas šokující, ale vždycky k věci. Plus se u toho solidně pobavíte (a někoho třeba i pohoršíte)!

[Cassy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good, it really was a brief overview of a ton of history. The author started in antiquity and moved through time to about the 70s/80s with the modern sex worker movement. Each chapter could have been its own book. My favorite chapters were on the history of Japanese and Chinese sex workers. I need to find some books about the woman who created Kabuki and the Chinese pirate lady(her name is escaping me) atm. It was fascinating to me that honestly being a sex worker in these cultures was significantly preferable to being a wife and access to the public sphere, education, and the arts was a given. The upward mobility was incredible.

The section about Storyville in LA was also fascinating and I am going to look up the photographer.

I listened to this book while driving and I really wish I would have taken some notes on the artists, names of historical figures etc. maybe I’ll go back and listen again when I can sit and take notes 🤔

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid sex history book by Kate. Each chapter provides insight on sex work in different parts of the world across different times. Christianity and morality getting in the way of woman just trying to make ends meet. Of course the clients aren’t to be regulated or blamed. I enjoyed that Kate ends the book with how sex workers fought back and ultimately what they want for their profession.

This is such a short and easy read. It was nice to have a 4 hour audiobook after the 12-18 hour ones I had listened to previously. 😅

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting overview of sex work over human history. It offers a basic introduction to types of sex workers worldwide, though doesn't go into as much detail as I might have liked, as much of the history I knew from reading historical fiction and romances set in a variety of eras. But anything to destigmatize sex work is important, and this book has a genuinely positive tone towards decriminalization, pointing to history as a way of showing that no laws or restrictions have ever truly worked.

[Jamie Dacyczyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fascinating book about the history of prostitution. I found myself constantly going to the internet to look up particular historical people who were mentioned throughout this book, and I've requested a couple of biographies on specific persons. Definitely fascinating, and I appreciate the author's allyship in regards to sex workers' right and LQBTQ+ right as well.

[Lemon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Viegli lasās. Ir daudz labas, pamatotas informācijas ar atsaucēm beigās un ir daudz vizuālo materiālu.