Description

Book Synopsis

Out now: the new book by Dr Fern Riddell, a powerful and entertaining history of sex.
__________

These are the facts: throughout history human beings have had sex. Sexual culture did not begin in the sixties. It has always been celebrated, needed, wanted and desired part of what it means to be human.

So: what can learn by looking at the sexual lives of our ancestors? What does it tell us about our attitudes and worries today, and how can the past teach us a better way of looking forward?

In this wide-ranging and powerful new history of sex, Dr Fern Riddell will uncover the sexual lives of our ancestors and show that, just like us, they were as preoccupied with sexual identities, masturbation, foreplay, sex, deviance; facing it with the same confusion, joy and accidental hilarity that we do today.

Sex: Lessons from History is a revealing and fascinating look at how we''ve always been obsessed with how sex makes us

Trade Review
Sex: Lessons from History is a furious and unflinching manifesto that debunks the many myths and misconceptions surrounding sex and sexuality. It is packed full of fascinating and provocative historical insights on the place sex has in our lives. -- Kate Wiles, History Today
Sex, in all its joyous, terrifying, disgusting, dangerous, criminalised, queer, constrained and kinky forms, is perhaps the constant major theme of human culture. Riddell's wonderful, erudite book simultaneously uses sex as a lens to understand modern English history, and modern English history to understand sex. The story is by turns horrifying, hilarious, enlightening and terrifying. -- Matt Lodder

Sex Lessons From History

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    £18.00

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    RRP £20.00 – you save £2.00 (10%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Tue 30 Jun 2026.

    A Hardback by Fern Riddell

    5 in stock

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

      View other formats and editions of Sex Lessons From History by Fern Riddell

      Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
      Publication Date: 03/06/2021
      ISBN13: 9781473666252, 978-1473666252
      ISBN10: 1473666252

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Out now: the new book by Dr Fern Riddell, a powerful and entertaining history of sex.
      __________

      These are the facts: throughout history human beings have had sex. Sexual culture did not begin in the sixties. It has always been celebrated, needed, wanted and desired part of what it means to be human.

      So: what can learn by looking at the sexual lives of our ancestors? What does it tell us about our attitudes and worries today, and how can the past teach us a better way of looking forward?

      In this wide-ranging and powerful new history of sex, Dr Fern Riddell will uncover the sexual lives of our ancestors and show that, just like us, they were as preoccupied with sexual identities, masturbation, foreplay, sex, deviance; facing it with the same confusion, joy and accidental hilarity that we do today.

      Sex: Lessons from History is a revealing and fascinating look at how we''ve always been obsessed with how sex makes us

      Trade Review
      Sex: Lessons from History is a furious and unflinching manifesto that debunks the many myths and misconceptions surrounding sex and sexuality. It is packed full of fascinating and provocative historical insights on the place sex has in our lives. -- Kate Wiles, History Today
      Sex, in all its joyous, terrifying, disgusting, dangerous, criminalised, queer, constrained and kinky forms, is perhaps the constant major theme of human culture. Riddell's wonderful, erudite book simultaneously uses sex as a lens to understand modern English history, and modern English history to understand sex. The story is by turns horrifying, hilarious, enlightening and terrifying. -- Matt Lodder

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