Description

Book Synopsis

Few things are as fundamental to human happiness as sex, and few writers are as entertaining about the subject as Mary Roach.

Can a woman think herself to orgasm?
Is your penis three inches longer than you think?
Why doesn't Viagra help women - or, for that matter, pandas?
Does orgasm boost fertility? Or cure hiccups?

The study of sexual physiology - what happens, and why, and how to make it happen better - has been taking place behind closed doors for hundreds of years. In this fascinating and funny book, Mary Roach steps inside laboratories, brothels, pig farms, sex-toy R&D labs - even Alfred Kinsey's attic - to tell us everything we wanted to know about sex, and more we'd never even thought to ask.



Trade Review
In this terrifically witty, hugely engaging study of the way we love, Mary Roach does meet some real oddballs, and on almost every page she tells you something to make you gasp aloud or snort with laughter -- Toby Clements * * Telegraph * *
Roach certainly gets full marks for unflinching commitment to the job in hand . . . Bonk contains everything you ever wanted to know about the science of sex but were too afraid to ask. -- PD Smith * * Saturday Guardian Review * *
Roach puts her quick wit to good service in this entertaining romp through sex research. Her unshockability is contagious, and ultimately reassuring. -- Gail Vines * * Independent * *
When Mary Roach is seized by a subject, there is no stopping her: she is full-on, hands-on, and her lab coat is unbuttoned. -- Iain Finlayson * * The Times * *
A bold, tenacious and insatiable reporter, Roach . . . could make an earthworm evisceration riveting and a hemispherectomy seem downright jolly. * * Scotsman * *
Eye-opening . . . compelling stuff. -- Tom Boncza Tomaszewski * * Independent On Sunday * *
Bonkers, but brilliant. * * Easy Living * *
The pithiest, wittiest writer on the subject since Woody Allen * * Saga * *

Hair-raising in parts, hilarious in others.

-- Katie Law * * Evening Standard * *
Roach marries enthusiasm and curiosity with unflagging humour while she intrepidly braves the "lurching tango of acadame and popular culture", rising to a passionate and playful, if not wholly penetrating, climax. -- Anita Sethi * * Independent on Sunday * *

Bonk: The Curious Coupling Of Sex And Science

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    RRP £10.99 – you save £0.55 (5%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Tue 16 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Mary Roach

    2 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Bonk: The Curious Coupling Of Sex And Science by Mary Roach

      Publisher: Canongate Books
      Publication Date: 07/05/2009
      ISBN13: 9781847672360, 978-1847672360
      ISBN10: 1847672361

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Few things are as fundamental to human happiness as sex, and few writers are as entertaining about the subject as Mary Roach.

      Can a woman think herself to orgasm?
      Is your penis three inches longer than you think?
      Why doesn't Viagra help women - or, for that matter, pandas?
      Does orgasm boost fertility? Or cure hiccups?

      The study of sexual physiology - what happens, and why, and how to make it happen better - has been taking place behind closed doors for hundreds of years. In this fascinating and funny book, Mary Roach steps inside laboratories, brothels, pig farms, sex-toy R&D labs - even Alfred Kinsey's attic - to tell us everything we wanted to know about sex, and more we'd never even thought to ask.



      Trade Review
      In this terrifically witty, hugely engaging study of the way we love, Mary Roach does meet some real oddballs, and on almost every page she tells you something to make you gasp aloud or snort with laughter -- Toby Clements * * Telegraph * *
      Roach certainly gets full marks for unflinching commitment to the job in hand . . . Bonk contains everything you ever wanted to know about the science of sex but were too afraid to ask. -- PD Smith * * Saturday Guardian Review * *
      Roach puts her quick wit to good service in this entertaining romp through sex research. Her unshockability is contagious, and ultimately reassuring. -- Gail Vines * * Independent * *
      When Mary Roach is seized by a subject, there is no stopping her: she is full-on, hands-on, and her lab coat is unbuttoned. -- Iain Finlayson * * The Times * *
      A bold, tenacious and insatiable reporter, Roach . . . could make an earthworm evisceration riveting and a hemispherectomy seem downright jolly. * * Scotsman * *
      Eye-opening . . . compelling stuff. -- Tom Boncza Tomaszewski * * Independent On Sunday * *
      Bonkers, but brilliant. * * Easy Living * *
      The pithiest, wittiest writer on the subject since Woody Allen * * Saga * *

      Hair-raising in parts, hilarious in others.

      -- Katie Law * * Evening Standard * *
      Roach marries enthusiasm and curiosity with unflagging humour while she intrepidly braves the "lurching tango of acadame and popular culture", rising to a passionate and playful, if not wholly penetrating, climax. -- Anita Sethi * * Independent on Sunday * *

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