Whores in History: Prostitution in Western Society

by Nickie Roberts

Roberts' vivid, challenging, and impressively researched defense of the unrepentant whore, whom she regards as the most maligned woman in history, tells the story of the prostitute with hundreds of anecdotes of bawdy-house and brothel life. Her arguments will engage male "experts" and feminist "sisters" alike. Illustrations.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Feminism, Womens, Sex Work, Microhistory, Sexuality

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[G. Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. One of the best books I have read for a long time, challenging long-held assumptions of society in many key areas, and written with passion, wit, wisdom and fire. Excellent. Should be required reading, for everyone.

[Beky-Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I initially really enjoyed the thoughts and expressions within this unique book and enjoy how the author has broken the chapters into centuries to guide the reader. However I feel in parts there was extreame bias and the writting became more about personal opinion rather then historical fact.

[Robert Monk · Rating 2 out of 5]

What to say about this book? It was written in 1992, well in the middle of the -- quite necessary, I'd say -- reassessment of prostitution and sex work in general. The previous stereotype of all sex workers as either nymphomaniacs or drug addicts was clearly a problem, not least because it wasn't accurate. But this book kinda goes the other way: all sex workers are happy little liberated ladies whose lives would be super excellent if everyone just left them alone. Now, I've known some sex workers in my time, and that stereotype doesn't work either. It's a tough racket, emotionally and physically, even if you're not being threatened and scorned. That part is ignored here. Is there some interesting history to be found here? Sure there is. Is its heart in the right place? Yeah, I'd say that's true. But I found myself underwhelmed overall.

[Denele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roberts has written an eye-opener on the world's oldest profession. Women who engage in the sex trade are in trouble, or with children they can't support, or for a multitude of other reasons not least of which, for some, is simply the pleasure of sex. Another aspect of this book that I enjoyed is the chapter discussing the role of the church and the royalty in the Middle Ages as they not only indulged in sexual promiscuity personally but profited off the sex trade. Those interested in this subject should put this book on their reading lists.

[Ryry · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is seriously good! and amazingly researched. probably the best thing/most comprehensive book i have read about sex work I really appreciate the social context this author has given this book, it goes back over thousands of years and I have found it really inspiring reading about centuries of resistance and organizing of sex workers (we seem to be fighting the same issues of stupid government control from ancient greece to 18th century france til now)

The author also positions sex work really well within analysis of class and women's status and as labour. I just think if you're going to read one book on sex work to get a better perspective on the ongoing issues with how society treats women's labour and sex work you should read THIS BOOK! Its fucking awesome!

It easily debunks lots of feminist rhetoric that has been written without sex worker voices by showing the clear failings of attempts of state regulation or criminalization...and just has heaps of amazing quotes and research and little stories in it about people's lives. Its just interesting reading these histories that we don't learn about in the mainstream- that taxes charged by the church in medieval times formed a large part of building funds to build their churches, how the shift happened from holding up sex workers and respecting them to seeing them as criminals as protestant reforms and a growing middle class set down ideals about women and sex- and how poorer class women and sex workers were implicated in this... that women came to cities at the beginning of industrial revolution in europe and sold sex and were able to support themselves and campaign for women's rights and the abolition of slavery! That there are sex workers in the early 1700s who fought back against police crackdowns trying to arrest and kill sex workers- some sex workers resisted arrest and stabbed the cops to death! Hell Yeah Hookers!

[Grant Knuckles · Rating 3 out of 5]

she s still out there on heroin. I could not help her. I still ocasionally see her, not as a lover. Took her to many meetings of Narcotics anonymous. Sad. We were friends and lovers living on the streets.' No direction home'. To all the girls walking the streets in the cold nights. Have a coffee. Great book. Thanks Nicky.

[Suvi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. At times a bit disorganised, but mostly clear and approachable general overview, that speaks out strongly against double standards and feminists' point of views. I won't go into my personal opinions here, so I'm just going to say that I don't entirely understand renting your body to all kinds of creeps in these modern times, if there are other opportunities available. Roberts's convincing arguments and prostitutes' own comments however gave me a lot to think about, like whether it's fair to label prostitutes as criminals or not. So, I may not understand the modern sociological aspect yet, but historically this is an intriguing topic. Especially the case of courtesans, women who were able to be independent and stinking rich without having to marry some idiot who would treat you like a puppet.

The woman of the book cover is a Storyville prostitute, and can be seen in this wonderful set photographed by E. J. Bellocq.

[Francine Apollo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gag gift to me but I was curious so I read it. This is a first-rate history of the world's oldest profession. It reveals just how little progress has been made in equal rights for women everywhere.

If you can read stuff that might make you angry and sad...take it on; I'm glad I did.

[HeavyReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really, really good. It is well written and packed full of information about prostitution. It should be read by anyone learning about labor and/or sex work. Recommended.

[Don · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really hard to read - very dry - but a good look at the history of the oldest profession ...

[Sylvester · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting book, though not without it's majors biases. The ideas were interesting but the writing was terrible.

[George Foord · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was to general, for instance there was only 30 pages on Roman history...