"Titillating and provocative essays from one of the freshest voices in science today -- Why do testicles hang the way they do? Is there an adaptive function to the female orgasm? What does it feel like to want to kill yourself? Does "free will" really exist? And why is the penis shaped like that anyway? In Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?, the research psychologist and award-winning columnist Jesse Bering features more than thirty of his most popular essays from Scientific American and Slate, as well as two new pieces, that take readers on a bold and captivating journey through some of the most taboo issues related to evolution and human behavior. Exploring the history of cannibalism, the neurology of people who are sexually attracted to animals, the evolution of human body fluids, the science of homosexuality, and serious questions about life and death, Bering astutely covers a generous expanse of our kaleidoscope of quirks and origins. With his characteristic irreverence and trademark cheekiness, Bering leaves no topic unturned or curiosity unexamined, and he does it all with an audaciously original voice. Whether you are interested in the psychological history behind the many facets of sexual desire or the evolutionary patterns that have dictated our current mystique and phallic physique, Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That? is bound to create lively discussion and debate for years to come"--

The celebrated compendium of sexual oddities, a no-holds-barred treatment of sexual practices throughout the world and throughout time. The work makes excellent reading, though it may be criticized for lacking any substantial synthesis of its components and for being unsympathetic to homosexuals and masturbators. Iwan Bloch (1872-1922) -- the father of sexual science -- took his medical degree from Wuurzburg in 1896 and soon published his Ursprung der Syphilis (1901), which made him the foremost exponent of the so-called Morbus Americanus theory that syphilis originated in America. His Beitrage zur Aetiologie der Psychopathia Sexualis was an important follow-up of Krafft-Ebing, and several other works brought him recognition as a pioneer sexologist. Book jacket.

Psychosexual Functions In Women: Studies In Psychosomatic Medicine Of The Institute For Psychoanalysis is a comprehensive book written by Therese Friedmann Benedek. The book explores the psychosexual functions of women and provides an in-depth analysis of the psychosomatic medicine of the Institute for Psychoanalysis. Benedek delves into the complex nature of female sexuality and how it is affected by various psychological and physical factors. She discusses the role of the unconscious in shaping sexual desires and behaviors, as well as the impact of childhood experiences and cultural influences on sexual development. The book also covers topics such as sexual dysfunction, sexual trauma, and the relationship between sexuality and mental health. Benedek draws on her extensive experience as a psychoanalyst to provide insights into the challenges faced by women in their sexual lives and offers practical advice for overcoming these challenges. Overall, Psychosexual Functions In Women is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the psychology of female sexuality and the role of psychoanalysis in understanding and treating sexual issues. It is written in a clear and accessible style, making it suitable for both professionals and lay readers alike.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

In 1975, at the age of forty, Richard Raskind, a renowned eye surgeon and highly ranked amateur tennis player, "died," and Renée Richards was "born," in what was to become the most public and highly scrutinized sex reassignment to date. It was not until Renée Richards was discovered playing in an amateur tennis tournament that the world took notice. Extensive media coverage and criticism thrust Renée reluctantly into the spotlight, sparking an intense public debate over her private life. Now, at seventy-two, Richards looks back and speaks frankly about all aspects of her complicated and often notorious life in this eye-opening, thought-provoking memoir. Richards' honest and compelling narrative explores the dichotomy between the successful life she lived as Dr. Richard Raskind, who seemed to have everything (devoted friends, a beautiful wife and son, a stellar record of academic and professional achievement, and outstanding athletic ability), and a secret life of struggle with a drive that could not be suppressed, even by years of psychotherapy and the force of a considerable will. Richards takes readers through her difficult decision to undergo surgery and the complex mixture of relief and continued frustration that came with the realization of her new identity. Discussing life after her transformation, Richards candidly relates the details, trials, and pleasures of her romantic life as well as fascinating stories about her tennis career, including her experiences as Martina Navratilova's coach. She also provides an intimate account of her difficult but rewarding relationship with her rebellious son: runaway teenager, high-stakes Vegas gambler, karate champion, and entrepreneur. She describes the deterioration of a once-loving marriage and the challenges of reclaiming her place at the forefront of her demanding medical specialty. Having lived as a woman almost as long as she lived as a man, Richards draws on a personal history that illuminates thirty years of remarkable change in society's attitude toward gender issues. Her absorbing and inspiring story, at once heartbreaking and uplifting, is a testimony to how far we have progressed in our ability to discuss and accept sexuality in all its iterations, as well as a reminder of how far we still must travel.