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  • A Curious History of Sex

  • By: Kate Lister
  • Narrated by: Kate Lister
  • Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (402 ratings)

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A Curious History of Sex

By: Kate Lister
Narrated by: Kate Lister
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Summary

The act of sex has not changed since people first worked out what went where, but the ways in which society dictates how sex is culturally understood and performed have varied significantly through the ages. Humans are the only creatures that stigmatize particular sexual practices, and sex remains a deeply divisive issue around the world. Attitudes will change and grow - hopefully for the better - but sex will never be free of stigma or shame unless we acknowledge where it has come from.

Based on the popular research project Whores of Yore, and written with her distinctive humor and wit, A Curious History of Sex draws upon Dr. Kate Lister's extensive knowledge of sex history. From medieval impotence tests to 20th-century testicle thefts, from the erotic frescoes of Pompeii, to modern-day sex-doll brothels, Kate unashamedly roots around in the pants of history, debunking myths, challenging stereotypes, and generally getting her hands dirty.

You will laugh, you will wince, and you will wonder just how much has actually changed.

Contains mature themes.

©2020 Kate Lister (P)2020 Tantor
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What listeners say about A Curious History of Sex

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Educational and hilarious

Educational, hilarious, enraging, shocking, surprising. No man could have ever written a book like this.

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Loved it.

Funny, informative and it is a must for me to listen to it again!!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Well researched, generally interesting

Generally interesting and entertaining, well read by the author. I suppose she highlighted at the end it is so difficult to accurately research which might explain why some areas were a but light and some went into way more detail than needed, hence 4 starts not 5. An easy listen

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  • Overall
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Brilliant

The book was really good. The chapters were each individual topics relating to the history of sex rather than a chronological order, which I found much easier to follow and you can pick and choose what chapters to listen to.

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Fascinating & funny!

Both myself and my husband enjoyed listening to this brilliant book. Fantastically interesting, funny, insightful and very easy to listen to. Kate Lister has done a marvellous job of delving into this often ‘taboo’ subject and I feel it’s something all should listen to. Beanis is something that will make us laugh forever more!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An insightful but humorous look at the history of sex!

Absolutely loved this book! Feel like the conclusion is something that everyone should hear!

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If you're look for something a bit different

A truly fantastic book about the history of snow x, sexual practices and attitudes towards sex. At first glance you would think that this would be a seedy book but it's quite the opposite, very insightful and interesting. Definitely will be recommending to everyone!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fascinating, filthy funny and important

Kate Lister is, alongside Fern Riddell, one of the most compelling, well-versed and fascinating story tellers regarding sexual history writing today. Her book is in equal parts insightful, hilarious (particularly running gag citing the original years for the uses of innuendos throughout the book is particularly good), heartbreaking, illuminating and refreshing. I loved it, learnt a lot and cannot recommend enough.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic

This audiobook is fantastic and everyone should listen to it. Such a well written view of human history that really emphasises that women did in fact exist, thrive and enjoy themselves!

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    5 out of 5 stars

A witty, true story

loved to hear the story of sex , from the male and female side

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