A Natural History of Sex

by Adrian Forsyth, Linda Bleck (Illustrator)

Described by the author as a book "about the weird diversity of sexual behavior," A Natural History of Sex explores "how to look at life, how to analyze and speculate about why something is as it is and not otherwise." In a series of engaging essays, Forsyth considers a host of more specific questions, which run the gamut from the obscure and the bizarre to the familiar. Why do roosters crow and waggle their wattles? Why does it benefit the female human to remain inscrutable about her sexual cycle? Who instituted monogamy? Why would a male mite copulate with its mother? Why does the male bedbug drive its "outlandish, formidable penis" into the female's abdomen? Forsyth's highly observational mind ranges over the natural world, revealing the seemingly random patterns and consequences of animal sexual behavior. This classic reference is a must for anyone who has ever wondered just what it is that makes the world go round.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Biology, Sexuality, Nature, Animals, History

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 24, 1986

About the author

Adrian Forsyth, Ph.D., is a conservationist, author, and strategic advisor to the Andes Amazon Fund, which he founded. For over 45 years, he has worked in remote tropical regions across the globe. He co-founded the Andes-Amazon Initiative, the Amazon Conservation Association, and Osa Conservation. Forsyth has also served in leadership roles at major conservation organizations and authored nine natural history books. He earned his Ph.D. from Harvard under E.O. Wilson.

Reviews

[Mark]

Probably read in the 1990s.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: https://hiplibrariansbookblog.com/200...

[Fernleaf · Rating 3 out of 5]

A curious and quirky little book looking at the diversity of sexual behaviors and adaptations throughout the breadth of life and delving into the biological and physiological reasons for their existence and/or persistence. Although examples are drawn from animals great and small the majority of cases cited are centered around invertebrates of various dispositions, both because they exhibit the widest variety of mating systems and because (I assume) of the ease of studying an animal with a short generation time. Chapters each explore an encompassing facet of sexual reproduction, from sperm competition to role reversal, including some more morally challenging topics like abortion/infanticide and incest. Each chapter brings one or more examples to the table and explores why/how such a system might benefit the organisms discussed, and then toward the end applies the reasoning to human systems where applicable. Of course virtually all of the human-related discussion is theoretical, but it still makes good brain food. At nearly 10 years old some of the theories are starting to show their age, but it's a good (and fairly quick) peek into the complexities of sexual reproduction.

[Teela Hudak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially, I found the book a bit difficult to get through. The content was very similar to other content on the subject. As I got further into the book I was pleasantly surprised. The author covers some controversial issues from an evolutionary biopsychology perspective. It introduces some new concepts and ideas that really interested me.

Overall I'd say a worthwhile read.

[Rian Nejar · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightening, comprehensive work.

[Wes Abplanalp · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read. Each chapter speaks to a different subject - which makes it easy to skip around. I recommend reading a chapter and then going to a bar to do some people-watching. For additinoal fun, affect a William F. Buckley-style of speech and make observational commentary amongst your friends in your new-found naturalist vernacular. Or maybe that's the MST3K geek coming out in me.

[Kie]

thumbed through this before - remind me to get back to it.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

really really neat. Even to the non-biologist, this is a fascinating read.

[LJB]

(ted weismann recommends)

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world is far weirder than you imagined, and no, we will never evolve to lose our pinky toes.