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Joy of Sex
by
Alex Comfort
The original Joy of Sex, published in 1979, became the lovemaking guide to intimate discovery and experimentation for a generation of adults. This updated, 30th-anniversary edition is a gorgeous, sensual book that will delight lovers, whether they're discovering sex or renewing passion. Purple print on pale pink and soft lilac pages lend a sensual air before you even start...more
Paperback, 0 pages
Published
February 15th 1974
by Wallaby Books
(first published 1972)
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Dec 23, 2008
Beth F.
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
teenagers who find the copy their parents were hiding
Shelves:
nonfiction,
love-sex-and-marriage
--When I was 15 and found this book hidden in the basement, I read it and it gave me quite a thrill.
--The 70's version is awesome and disgusting and awesome, awesome, awesome!
--The hairy man beast who was prominently featured in the original version of this book may be entirely to blame for my disgust of facial hair (thank goodness my husband shaves daily!)
--I’ve never seen the new version with the modern couple and don't care to. It would totally ruin the magic.
--The 70's version is awesome and disgusting and awesome, awesome, awesome!
--The hairy man beast who was prominently featured in the original version of this book may be entirely to blame for my disgust of facial hair (thank goodness my husband shaves daily!)
--I’ve never seen the new version with the modern couple and don't care to. It would totally ruin the magic.
While I can see how this book might have caused a stir back in 1972, to my modern eyes it seems hopelessly dated and rather dull. Most of the information in the book is of a very basic, nuts-and-bolts kind that most modern readers will already be aware of. It is written in a quite matter-of-fact and unsexy (and at times inappropriately humorous) style which I did not much care for.
The frequent use of terms like "squares" and "straights" and other 60s/70s slang date the book considerably, as do...more
The frequent use of terms like "squares" and "straights" and other 60s/70s slang date the book considerably, as do...more
Now days many people in America read urban books involving sex, drugs, and violence. However they also read other books out there, but surprisingly several of them are banned because of it’s religious beliefs, violence, and sexual content. Personally I believe every book that’s out there should be available to the public.
One reason I think books should be available is because of its religious beliefs. At times people tend to question god, some are not quite sure who he/she is, and others may n...more
One reason I think books should be available is because of its religious beliefs. At times people tend to question god, some are not quite sure who he/she is, and others may n...more
I find this rather G-rated in a hardcore world. I would probably feel comfortable giving this to my age 18 children if I had any. If you are really looking to reignite the spark, I don't know that this will do it, but you will know if you crack it open and find yourself saying 'been there, done that'. I do not consider myself kinky or used hard and put away wet, I probably fall more into the PRUDE catagory.
Mar 12, 2008
Malbadeen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Joy - seriously, her name is Joy.
Shelves:
confused-or-informed-my-sexuality
I read this too young and I particularly remember a part that talked about not wearing spiked boots during sex, because while it may be a visual turn on it can cause some unintended physical pain in the long run. I felt it was a good point and made a note to my prepubescent self to not have sex while wearing spiky boots.
Jun 04, 2010
Sharon Sildatke
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who want better communication with their partner on a sexual loving basis.
Need to reignite fiery sparks of passion in your life? Master a few old tricks whilst learning new? Wanting to re-establish communication on all levels with your partner? – Then this book is for you!
Need in-depth knowledge on sexual experiences and an easy how-to-guide for that which you haven’t learnt yet? Just want to understand Woohoo a little better than you did before? Or are looking for advice/ideas/comfort and reassurance if you haven’t had any experience yet? – Then this book is certainl...more
Need in-depth knowledge on sexual experiences and an easy how-to-guide for that which you haven’t learnt yet? Just want to understand Woohoo a little better than you did before? Or are looking for advice/ideas/comfort and reassurance if you haven’t had any experience yet? – Then this book is certainl...more
Perhaps some of the drawings may be considered 'out of date' by today's standards, this classic ought to be required reading for any adult who plans on exploring their sexuality with a partner, lover, boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband.
It was a new edition, with revised content to update it, but as a friend mentioned, it wasn't really written for my generation or gender. Also, the writing is confusing. There was a sort of half-assed attempt at a dictionary format, so some sections start with just a noun phrase and some start with a full sentence. The inconsistency is confusing. Then, there are sentence that start with "For her, ..." but it isn't clear if they're talking about advice "for her" when she's doing something for him...more
Mar 18, 2010
FiveBooks
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fivebooks-on-sex-and-marriage
Writer Kate Figes has chosen to discuss Alex Comfort's
The Joy of Sex
on FiveBooks as one of the top five on her subject - Sex and Marriage, saying that:
"It seems so innocent really now, all those daring explanations of S and M and positions, but it was before Aids and people were so optimistic. It was as though we’d discovered sex and free love."
The full interview is available here: http://five-books.com/interviews/kate-figes
"It seems so innocent really now, all those daring explanations of S and M and positions, but it was before Aids and people were so optimistic. It was as though we’d discovered sex and free love."
The full interview is available here: http://five-books.com/interviews/kate-figes
my version of this book is a slim version (dark purple cover). simple but gorgeous pencil illustrations accompany the text in the version i have. i found the writing style witty, and not that "dated" actually (despite this being a book that was originally published in 1972). there are certain "facts" that will always hold true, and the information was presented in an engaging, witty and concise manner [very good combination for an enjoyable reading experience--for me at least :)].
May 07, 2008
Ellee
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction-megalist,
200-300pgs
Ok, ok, I know... Everybody's heard about it. I figured I'd read it to see if this book by Alex Comfort was in reality what I expected it to be. If all you expect upon opening this book is a racy book full of exotic photos, you'll be surprised. The Joy of Sex is actually very down-to-earth and not really at all titillating (pardon the pun). It's almost like a Chilton's guide to heterosexual sex. That being said, this book is most likely to be of help to relatively inexperienced couples, but even...more
This book is very straight, which is fine. Straight people need these books too! But it's overly committed to gender norms, so it's only palatable if you really subscribe to the idea that women are like this and men are like that. I bumped it up a star just for the part where Comfort suggest that no one, not even women, should shave their armpits or wear deodorant. It's for the pheromones, and that's awesome advice. Pick and choose what you like from this one, I think.
My reasons for even rating this book can be limited to just the one: nostalgia. I found this hidden amidst the godawful drugstore paperbacks my mother used to read and to a thirteen-year old it was a treasure for the just raging hormones. I read it cover to cover then and came across it again a few days ago at the second hand bookstore. You'd find more creative sex in my mother's old drugstore paperbacks.
A group of friends got me this as a birthday present when I was 22. They were mocking the fact that I was probably the last Canadian virgin.
While it learned me some fancy words for various sexual positions and had some nice erotic drawings, it did nothing to prepare me for what was a very uncomfortable first experience.
It is a very well written book. It is not pornography, more art.
While it learned me some fancy words for various sexual positions and had some nice erotic drawings, it did nothing to prepare me for what was a very uncomfortable first experience.
It is a very well written book. It is not pornography, more art.
During the 1970s this was our guide. Those of us who are boomers had a good time swinging from the chandelier and more. Suddenly, we shook off the fetters of our Puritan past and discovered just how much fun sex could be. We did it here and there, we did it anywhere. A train, a train,yes we did in on a train and in the rain. This is still not a bad introduction.
i used to sneak this book out of parents room and secretly read it in my backyard in the dog days of summer in my budding youth. i remember very little... just the proliferation of body hair. what makes me laugh is that they really really wanted to make this into a movie in the 70's... starring john belushi no less!
I found this to be alright. I do enjoy how they encourage women to not shave (another score for nature!) but don't enjoy how the advice for overweight people is basically "Loose weight, fatty." I picked this up for $1 at a library book sale, or else probably would not own it.
The Joy of Sex was (and perhaps is still) the classic sex book of its time. It caused a bit of an uproar when originally published in 1979. I do not think this was a particularly shocking book--more a case of common sense.
There's a decent joke based on this book.
(You have some visible injury - cast, eye patch, bandage, etc.)
Person A: "What happened?"
You: "You know the book the Joy of Sex? There is a typo on page 137."
(You have some visible injury - cast, eye patch, bandage, etc.)
Person A: "What happened?"
You: "You know the book the Joy of Sex? There is a typo on page 137."
I have always wanted to read this book! And finally did. I found it a timeless classic and I learned a few things. I was actually doing a little "research" for my latest novel, THE WARRENS. When you are writing about the sex life of a younger couple, you want to make sure you are not missing out on anything! I was happy to find that I am quite knowledgeable and not much has changed! This is an updated version and the photographs are absolutely stunning.I enjoyed it, it was a quick read because o...more
I think "read" is too strong a word. I looked at it from cover to cover at my girlfriend's house - we'd sneak into her mom's bedroom while she was out. It was the '70s - who didn't?
Actually, I read the original ediion. Informative, but oooh did I get tired of seeing all those hairy, hairy people. Razors really can be your friend, ladies and gentlemen.
@Michellehodkin Hells to the NO, if you think I'm going to read this book--
It's just that--- NOAH SHAW Y'ALL. *flails* *dies of laughter*
It's just that--- NOAH SHAW Y'ALL. *flails* *dies of laughter*
Of course - I read this as a teen when trying to figure out what this whole sex thing was. Eye opening, but the real thing is so much better than reading it as a teen.
This classic book taught me how to bang back in the day and I still look back at it when I pick up a stranger in a bar.
Well kind of. . .I have flipped through it. . .some might say I should have read it though!
aw come on!!!!!!! i don't think i have this particular version, but they keep reprinting it, and it just keeps getting better. i can't really recommend a particular chapter, cos then you'd know how kinky i was/am, but hey, everyone should have a copy on hand for various reasons...either for yourself on those cold winter nights, or when you think you've done it all and here comes another position! if you can find the version that has the pics of the hippies of the 60's, it's awesome to see how 'a...more
When you're 18 or 19 or 20 and scared to death, this book simply tells you it's going to be OK.
This gentle guide escorted a novice into what would become a lifetime of guilt-free pleasure.
Best with a partner. Of the opposite sex.
Book a month off and go through the whole book ;->
Book a month off and go through the whole book ;->
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Alexander Comfort, M.D., Ph.D. (10 February 1920 – 26 March 2000) was a medical professional, gerontologist, anarchist, pacifist, conscientious objector and writer, best known for The Joy of Sex, which played a part in what is often called the sexual revolution. He was also the author of many other books on a variety of topics.
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“The things that stop you having sex with age are exactly the same as those that stop you riding a bicycle.”
—
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23 déc. 20:21
08 avr. 07:02