Been There, Done That, Rachel Feltman
Been There, Done That, Rachel Feltman
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
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Been There, Done That
A Rousing History of Sex

Author: Rachel Feltman

Narrator: Rachel Feltman

Unabridged: 8 hr 40 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/17/2022


Synopsis

A rollicking, myth-busting history of sex that moves from historical attempts at birth control to Hildegard von Bingen’s treatise on the female orgasm, demystifying plenty of urban legends along the way.

Roman physicians told female patients they should sneeze out as much semen as possible after intercourse to avoid pregnancy. Historical treatments for erectile dysfunction included goat testicle transplants. In this kaleidoscopic compendium of centuries-old erotica, science writer Rachel Feltman shows how much sex has changed—and how much it hasn’t. With unstoppable curiosity, she debunks myths, breaks down stigma, and uses the long, outlandish history of sex to dissect present-day practices and taboos.

Feltman’s mischievous humor dismantles fear and brings scientific literacy to a subject surrounded by misinformation, and indeed, as it gravitates toward the strange, Been There, Done That delivers some sorely needed sex ed. Explorations into age-old questions and bizarre trivia around birth control, aphrodisiacs, STIs, courtship rituals, and more establish that, when it comes to carnal pleasures and procreation, there’s never been a normal, and sex isn’t something to be scared of.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Debra on March 18, 2022

You know you are in for an interesting book when you are on page two and you learn "that only 3 percent of male birds have dicks,” They are not alone, there are many creatures out there who do not genitals that we think of as being traditional instead having a cloaca. I also learned that clownfish a......more

Goodreads review by Rennie on May 18, 2022

Some really interesting stuff and an overall message that whatever you’re like, you’re probably normal. It’s written in that jokey Mary Roach-style of science writing but the humor attempts wear out quickly since they’re near-constant. It also veers off on some wild tangents that have little or noth......more

Goodreads review by aphrodite on July 06, 2022

very interesting & inclusive reading experience!! lots of great messages and facts that I unabashedly shared with my coworkers at 11am against their will!! fun times!!......more

Goodreads review by Peyton on August 04, 2023

Perfect for casual, niche history readers. I did find trouble keeping interest in this book as I kept setting it down and didn't have a great urge to pick it back up, but it was definitely interesting and I was able to learn a few new fascinating tidbits that I will be sure to share around the dinne......more

Goodreads review by Kirsten Paoline on May 25, 2023

This book is brilliant. It's wise and extremely witty at the same time. Hilariously (even making you laugh out loud) funny, but unmistakably on point in your face about gender and sexuality throughout ages. . . Rachel Feltman's book doesn't feel as if she's constantly teaching you facts, it's more like......more