Histories of Sexuality: Antiquity to Sexual Revolution

Critical Histories of Subjectivity and Culture

by Stephen Garton

This book presents the first assessment of one of the most rapidly expanding fields of research: the history of sexuality. From the early efforts of historians to work out a model for sexual history, to the extraordinary impact of French philosopher Michel Foucault, to the vigorous debates about essentialism and social constructionism, to the emergence of contemporary debates about historicism, queer theory, embodiment, gender and cultural history - we now have vast and diverse historical scholarship on sex and sexuality. 'Histories of Sexuality' highlights the key historical moments and issues: pederasty and cultures of male passivity in ancient Greece and Rome; the impact of early Christianity and ideals of renunciation on the sexual cultures of late antiquity; the sustained existence of homosexual cultures in medieval and renaissance Europe; the "invention" of homosexuality and heterosexuality in eighteenth century Europe and America; the truth behind Victorian sexual repression; the work of reformers and scientists such as Havelock Ellis, Marie Stopes, Stella Browne, Margaret Sanger, Alfred Kinsey, William Masters and Virginia Johnson.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Sexuality, LGBT, Sociology

Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Stephen Garton is an Australian historian and Professor of History at the University of Sydney.

Reviews

[Ana Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um livro que nos permite refletir sobre a forma como a cultura influencia as nossas crenças sobre a sexualidade. Além disso, concluímos que ainda há imenso para descobrir em relação ao corpo humano, dado que a cada século são feitas novas descobertas que ridicularizam as crenças anteriores. Deixo a nota que o autor tentou ao máximo recolher informação credível e comparável para que o leitor tirasse as suas próprias conclusões.

Alguns tópicos sobre o livro:

Na Grécia antiga, os homens tinham de afirmar a autoridade sobre outros para reivindicarem a cidadania. O sexo, como a guerra, era um domínio de representação do estatuto social" -62

Para Galeno - médico grego do século II - homens e mulheres partilhavam um tipo de corpo, sendo as mulheres de facto homens que não se tinham desenvolvido (o útero era considerado um pénis que não viera fora do corpo). - P. 71


"Para os vitorianos a modalidade sexual da mulher era baseada na transcendência do sexo, a do homem estava enraizada na natureza."

[Robert Narojek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book which, in an incredibly reliable way, devoid of all "ahs and ohs", presents the development of human sexuality from the perspective of history, at least within the ancient Greek culture, up to the modern understanding of this in the so-called “western" countries.

In my opinion, reading this book is highly recommended for those who do not want to be "ignorant" in discussions with people - mostly pseudo-religious moralists - attacking everyone's inalienable rights to experience their sexuality and gender identity.

[Canton Winer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful overview of the construction of sexuality from a historical (Western) lens. Particular focus on Victorianism and Foucault.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically this is an outline of various historiographical traditions (and all the major historians in the field) with regards to sexuality... I had to read it for class. It was really useful. Also, like the unit in general, made me think about lots of aspects of sexuality that had never really crossed my mind before.

I didn't actually read ALL of it but I'm putting it on the "read" shelf anyway because I read enough and I don't think I'm going to read the rest (seeing as that'd involve re-borrowing it from the library). Also sorry about the inarticulacy of this "review"; I'm sick...

[Aika Artemisia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent continuity and an easy to folly read for the laymen.

[Cobramor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too academic and too centered on the west