Sex: A Natural History

by Joann Ellison Rodgers

How much do you really know about sex? In A Natural History , Joann Ellison Rodgers unearths both the roots of our sexual nature and the expression of our primal urges, explaining what it is that makes us male and female, and providing fascinating insights into the biology and physiology of flirtation, love, courtship, intercourse, fidelity, parenting, and nurturing. She describes scientists' discoveries about how the hormone that triggers labor contractions keeps prairie voles faithful to one mate, how the brain waves of female mice change when a male comes within smell range, and how Harlequin paperback romances and fantasies can be arousing-and what these findings tell us about our own sexuality.

A Natural History illuminates one of the most powerful, and often misunderstood, aspects of human and animal existence.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sexuality, Science, History, Unfinished, Biology

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2002

Reviews

[dejah_thoris · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading this large tome, I can see why nobody has been able to post a review. It's VERY dry. In fact, this is a book I would NOT recommend for anyone but the VERY serious sexology or biology student. (If you want a good introduction, Tannahil's Sex In History would be my suggestion.) It also repeats itself moderately frequently, which can get annoying, as can the typos if you're the sort that gets stuck on such issues.

Now, if you are an experienced sexology reader and/or moderately well-versed in biology, there's a great deal of meat within this work. Rodgers approaches sex completely biologically, so there's no discussion of culture except towards the very end where she acknowledges that memes can be transmitted genetically as well as socially. So, you do get to learn a great deal about pheromones, genetics, behavior, etc. but the downside is that much of it is still only available via animal studies. Fortunately, she doesn't rest on simple evolutionary explanations of human behavior (like other evo-bio enthusiasts). Instead, she thoroughly delves into whether such behavior is being conserved because it is genetically advantageous or if it's a remnant or a mutation that generally isn't conserved based on the population as a whole.

Despite the dryness, repetition, and length, I learned many new things from this book both about my personal biology and sexuality as a whole. So, if you can push through the technical details, you'll learn something fascinating too.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

This work severely needed footnotes or other citations. A bibliography was not enough. When the author is attempting a scholarly text but uses such an obnoxious tone in their writing, they have to link to the works they're citing to preserve their veneer of neutrality.

Stopped after reading midway through chapters 1 and 11 each.

Do not recommend for anyone looking for information on sexuality studies, regardless of whether they're seeking a scientific or social work.

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now what a stellar way to begin 2025. With some fun facts about sex.
Pumpkin pie and lavendar
Beetles humping everything
Size, doesnt matter. Well at least it doesnt in this book.
And our brains, really are responsible for everything.
Also, weaker echolike hearing in the ear is more common amongst homosexuals. What a fact.

[Jazzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m working on a PhD in biology but even for me this book was far too dry and long-winded. I gave up about 1/4 of the way through. Instead of reading this book, I would recommended “Nature’s nether regions”.

[Summer Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astonishingly interesting. To anyone who thought this book was dry or boring: feel free to go back to your cheesy teen novels.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

trade paper, good condition

not impressed

a big collection of mediocre ideas


from the library computer:
Table of Contents

Introduction xi
Sex Through the Eons
1 (41)
Genes and Gender
42 (40)
Where ``It'' Happens
82 (34)
Where ``It'' Really Happens
116 (45)
Some Enchanted Evening
161 (38)
The Dating Game
199 (54)
Kiss and Touch
253 (36)
Aphrodite's Drugstore
289 (15)
Orgasm: His, Hers, and Theirs
304 (29)
Now and Forever
333 (60)
Bad Sex
393 (48)
Alternative Sex
441 (28)
Epilogue: The Compromise Between the Sexes 469 (24)
Bibliography 493 (4)
Acknowledgments 497 (2)
Index 499

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sounds juicy (shit, look at the cover), but packed with therapist babble. Not a good introduction to the subject.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting, educational and sometimes surprising read!