Description
Book SynopsisHistory of the American sexual revolution as depicted through the correspondence between Ira Reiss and Albert Ellis, two leading social scientists and pioneers of the revolution.
Trade Review[Albert Ellis's and Ira L. Reiss's] letters reveal the insight of two leading sexual scientists at the very time that the sexual revolution was dawning in America. They provide a fascinating chronicle of controversial sexual and other issues of the 1950s and 1960s. At the same time they enrich this early correspondence by revealing in depth just how and why their current views of sexuality in America have changed. * Family Therapy, Vol 26.3 (2002) *
Present day sex researchers and sex therapists do not often write or refer to the work of these two pioneers but that does not mean that their contributions were not significant. Indeed, they were, at a crucial time during which studying sex and love andso on became established. Readers of this journal will find these pages educative, informative, and sometimes amusing. A dip into these old letters will also give them a sense of perspective of where we are, and how we got there.... * Sexual and Relationship Therapy *
A fascinating chronicle of the controversial sexual and other issues of the 1950s and 1960sssss * Adolescence Magazine, Vol 38, No. 150, Summer 2003 *
In this book, we have the opportunity to read—and reflect on—the letters Reiss and Ellis wrote to each other on various issues within this field. They are fascinating, and offer more than a brief glimpse of the two scientists' views and of the issues that interested them and American society at the time...Equally interesting, and informative, are the 'new' pieces the two have, separately, written to complete this book, taking stock of their work, and also giving accounts of how they got into this field. -- Padmal De Silva * Sexual and Relationship Therapy *
Although At the Dawn of the Sexual Revolution offers neither new theories on human sexuality nor new arguments on the history of sex in America, this slim volume provides an important glimpse into the minds of two key figures who sought to understand changing trends in human sexual behavior even before the sexual revolution was fully under way. Aditionally, the letters offer insight into the factors that influences Reiss and Ellis—their wives, and of course, their relationship. And the correspondece does so in a most engaging and, yes, seductive fashion. * Journal of the History of Sexuality *
Present day sex researchers and sex therapists do not often write or refer to the work of these two pioneers but that does not mean that their contributions were not significant. Indeed, they were, at a crucial time during which studying sex and love and so on became established. Readers of this journal will find these pages educative, informative, and sometimes amusing. A dip into these old letters will also give them a sense of perspective of where we are, and how we got there. * Sexual and Relationship Therapy *
A fascinating chronicle of the controversial sexual and other issues of the 1950s and 1960s * Adolescence Magazine, Vol 38, No. 150, Summer 2003 *
Table of ContentsPart 1 Preface Part 2 Preface Part 3 Chapter 1: Abstinence is Dethroned But What About Casual Sex? Letters, 1956-1957 Chapter 4 Introduction by Ira L. Reiss Chapter 5 Letter Comments by Albert Ellis Part 6 Chapter 2: Ethics, Religion and Publications: Letters, 1957 Chapter 7 Introduction by Ira L. Reiss Chapter 8 Letter Comments by Albert Ellis Part 9 Chapter 3: Therapeutic Ideas and the Birth of th eSociety for the Scinetific Study of Sex: Letters, 1957-1959 Chapter 10 Introduction by Ira L. Reiss Chapter 11 Letter Comments by Albert Ellis Part 12 Chapter 4: New Books and New Institutes Blossom Forth: Letters, 1960-1967 Chapter 13 Introduction by Ira L. Reiss Chapter 14 Letter Comments by Albert Ellis Part 15 Chapter 5: Overall Changes in my Views Part 16 Chapter 6: Taking Stock of my Past and Present View Part 17 Appendices Chapter 18 A: How I Became Interested in Sexology and Sex Therapy Chapter 19 B. My Path to Sexual Science
