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The Sensuous Dirty Old Man
Book by Isaac Asimov, Dr. "A"
148 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
1 person is currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Asimov
4,353 books28k followersWorks of prolific Russian-American writer Isaac Asimov include popular explanations of scientific principles,
The Foundation Trilogy
(1951-1953), and other volumes of fiction.
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
Isaac Asimov, a professor of biochemistry, wrote as a highly successful author, best known for his books.
Asimov, professor, generally considered of all time, edited more than five hundred books and ninety thousand letters and postcards. He published in nine of the ten major categories of the Dewey decimal classification but lacked only an entry in the category of philosophy (100).
People widely considered Asimov, a master of the genre alongside Robert Anson Heinlein and Arthur Charles Clarke as the "big three" during his lifetime. He later tied Galactic Empire and the Robot into the same universe as his most famous series to create a unified "future history" for his stories much like those that Heinlein pioneered and Cordwainer Smith and Poul Anderson previously produced. He penned "Nightfall," voted in 1964 as the best short story of all time; many persons still honor this title. He also produced well mysteries, fantasy, and a great quantity of nonfiction. Asimov used Paul French, the pen name, for the Lucky Starr, series of juvenile novels.
Most books of Asimov in a historical way go as far back to a time with possible question or concept at its simplest stage. He often provides and mentions well nationalities, birth, and death dates for persons and etymologies and pronunciation guides for technical terms. Guide to Science, the tripartite set Understanding Physics, and Chronology of Science and Discovery exemplify these books.
Asimov, a long-time member, reluctantly served as vice president of Mensa international and described some members of that organization as "brain-proud and aggressive about their IQs." He took more pleasure as president of the humanist association. The asteroid 5020 Asimov, the magazine Asimov's Science Fiction, an elementary school in Brooklyn in New York, and two different awards honor his name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_As...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 20, 2013
Many people miss the context of this masterpiece.
Shortly before this book came out there were two books titled "The Sensuous Man" and "The Sensuous Woman." They were published with authors shown only by a single initial. These came out to address an increasing interest in healthy, not-strictly-traditional models of sexual behavior and were intended to be serious. As a teen at the time this third book came out, I found it amusing, but could not properly relate to it for my lack of personal experiences and perspective.
I recently read this again and found it to be brilliant as a parody of the books it emulated.
I also recall that this book came out when Dick Cavett was in his own television heyday, and Mr Cavett scored "Dr. A" as not just a guest, but his guest agreed to reveal his true identity. Dr. Asimov came out onto the talk set (or he may have been already seated there and was not shown on camera until he was introduced) ... wearing a lacy black item of women's underwear wrapped around his head across his eyes as a "mask." When he took the mask off, Dick Cavett exclaimed, "It's our old friend, Isaac Asimov!" or words to that effect.
Without the context of the previous books, readers in the 21st century sem to be judging it unrealistically. For what it was intended to be ... a contemporary parody of the times and previous works in a similar vein ... the book is magnificent and deeply funny.
Shortly before this book came out there were two books titled "The Sensuous Man" and "The Sensuous Woman." They were published with authors shown only by a single initial. These came out to address an increasing interest in healthy, not-strictly-traditional models of sexual behavior and were intended to be serious. As a teen at the time this third book came out, I found it amusing, but could not properly relate to it for my lack of personal experiences and perspective.
I recently read this again and found it to be brilliant as a parody of the books it emulated.
I also recall that this book came out when Dick Cavett was in his own television heyday, and Mr Cavett scored "Dr. A" as not just a guest, but his guest agreed to reveal his true identity. Dr. Asimov came out onto the talk set (or he may have been already seated there and was not shown on camera until he was introduced) ... wearing a lacy black item of women's underwear wrapped around his head across his eyes as a "mask." When he took the mask off, Dick Cavett exclaimed, "It's our old friend, Isaac Asimov!" or words to that effect.
Without the context of the previous books, readers in the 21st century sem to be judging it unrealistically. For what it was intended to be ... a contemporary parody of the times and previous works in a similar vein ... the book is magnificent and deeply funny.
January 20, 2020
If you haven't read the The Sensuous Woman and The Sensuous Man you really haven't read this book.
Disturbingly, this was the first Asimov book I ever read. I followed shortly with the Foundation trilogy. It was a tough mental switch. But both made me an Asimov fan for life.
Disturbingly, this was the first Asimov book I ever read. I followed shortly with the Foundation trilogy. It was a tough mental switch. But both made me an Asimov fan for life.
December 6, 2017
A quick, yet long-winded manifesto of a writer known for being a serial groper. Asimov uses a series of male literary quotes and historical figures not to lightly discuss the world of older male sexuality, but to support leering at and touching women. Nothing more or less. Reads like someone dared him to stretch a few jokes into a full book, and Asimov succeeded.
Want to read
November 4, 2020Good Friends, readers and pretenders, dorks and nerds, bookworms and bibliophiles, greetings!
With all the sadness I can bear, I admit that I have only read a review, a collection of excerpts on this book- and it is the funniest thing I have ever read. It is even funnier that I try the read the excerpts in some strange Russian-American accent on assumption that that's how Dr. Asimov spoke. It's rib breaking- almost like been zapped by a high voltage shock- funny.
I have tried to have the book shipped to Kenya, but the costs are prohibitive- $869 is a lot by every standard. I have tried to get an ebook version...pdf, epub, mobi... any version, but the internet is not helpful either. The only link I got is on a filesharing site that is brocken- probably for years.
Mine is hence, embarrasingly, I plea for help. If you can ship the book to me, at a cost or free, or share a link or an ebook, I will gladly appreciate. We may even exchange some copies and titles. If you are that kind of a person, please inbox me.
With all the sadness I can bear, I admit that I have only read a review, a collection of excerpts on this book- and it is the funniest thing I have ever read. It is even funnier that I try the read the excerpts in some strange Russian-American accent on assumption that that's how Dr. Asimov spoke. It's rib breaking- almost like been zapped by a high voltage shock- funny.
I have tried to have the book shipped to Kenya, but the costs are prohibitive- $869 is a lot by every standard. I have tried to get an ebook version...pdf, epub, mobi... any version, but the internet is not helpful either. The only link I got is on a filesharing site that is brocken- probably for years.
Mine is hence, embarrasingly, I plea for help. If you can ship the book to me, at a cost or free, or share a link or an ebook, I will gladly appreciate. We may even exchange some copies and titles. If you are that kind of a person, please inbox me.
February 11, 2019
I thought this book was a bit silly, and reading the reviews I know understand why: it is silly. Asimov just wrote a tongue-a-cheek satire of two similar popular 70s sex books. I can see how my grandfather could smirk about a few of his observations, but anyone else will probably just read on, eyes-rolling. It’s like a overly long 80s Penthouse column.
The only good thing I can say about it is this, in the not-too-distant past people talked about sex in a non-raunchy way while not being puritans either. It’s perfectly natural to admire female beauty (or male, if that’s your forte), and you should be free to say so. In this MeToo-age, I hope we won’t go overboard and start questioning everyone with a pulse.
In all, I do not recommend this book. Don’t bother.
The only good thing I can say about it is this, in the not-too-distant past people talked about sex in a non-raunchy way while not being puritans either. It’s perfectly natural to admire female beauty (or male, if that’s your forte), and you should be free to say so. In this MeToo-age, I hope we won’t go overboard and start questioning everyone with a pulse.
In all, I do not recommend this book. Don’t bother.
September 23, 2012
I did not figure Dr. Asimov for a humorist, but this book definitely changed that thinking!
Ostensibly a handbook for correctly conducting one'as self as a dirty old man, it actually, IMO, turns into an open celebration/declaration of womenly beauty.
The general premise being that women dress up to look good not to be ignored, but to be appreciated, & a real man isn't afraid to do so openly.
Isaac goes into it detail by detail for a myriad of common male-female interaction situations.
Ostensibly a handbook for correctly conducting one'as self as a dirty old man, it actually, IMO, turns into an open celebration/declaration of womenly beauty.
The general premise being that women dress up to look good not to be ignored, but to be appreciated, & a real man isn't afraid to do so openly.
Isaac goes into it detail by detail for a myriad of common male-female interaction situations.
December 29, 2012
Isaac Asimov at his non-scientific.
Might have been published in the 70s but definitely 50s attitude.
The links to historical figures are too forced, and sometimes miss the mark. Still, there are some funny descriptions.
Might have been published in the 70s but definitely 50s attitude.
The links to historical figures are too forced, and sometimes miss the mark. Still, there are some funny descriptions.
May 7, 2010
Brilliant. Humour from a different time and place but still some great lessons.....
November 1, 2014
One of my favorite short reads. I found it hilarious. I read it every few years and laugh all over again.
April 27, 2025
on my shelf for 10 plus years and finally now I've read it. this book cannot be evaluated without context of the time in which it was written! I read the sensuous man and the sensuous woman a long time ago and don't remember any of the specifics but it was just a bunch of horny nonsense I am sure, same as this book which satirizes it. I immediately laughed opening the book because it's written in large print! you know; for old men. back in the day when people would read paperbacks on the bus or in public parks this book served as a prop as well as a funny read I'm sure. full page photos of historic figures such as Winston Churchill and President James Buchanan adding to the humor. Definitely the kind of book you want people to peek over your shoulder into. All in all, a relic of a bygone era.
was it really very funny to me? not especially! but the '70s were fucking stupid, everyone was dumb as hell, and I'm glad that I don't live in that time. I mean this time is also stupid as hell but at least men aren't grabbing at me. Asimov and his groaners were as smart as it got at the bookstand. well, Gore Vidal is a darling, but that's another review.
oh on that note I thought it funny how often he refers to Italian men because they are notoriously lecherous!
was it really very funny to me? not especially! but the '70s were fucking stupid, everyone was dumb as hell, and I'm glad that I don't live in that time. I mean this time is also stupid as hell but at least men aren't grabbing at me. Asimov and his groaners were as smart as it got at the bookstand. well, Gore Vidal is a darling, but that's another review.
oh on that note I thought it funny how often he refers to Italian men because they are notoriously lecherous!
April 30, 2024
I heard about this book from a college Sci-fi Lit class. They said that this book was controversial, it made me want to read it. I haven't read "The Sensuous Dirty Old Woman" and I haven't read any Asimov. Along with being the best Sci-Fi writer, he has a reputation as being sexist or something along the lines of that.
And so does this book, but I didn't view it as completely sexist. With narrow vision of today's times, one could view it that way. One could also view this book as a sexual manifesto for men, or one could look at is a just good humor from a different time.
I really don't know how to rate this book, but I am not a writer so what the hell do I know.
And so does this book, but I didn't view it as completely sexist. With narrow vision of today's times, one could view it that way. One could also view this book as a sexual manifesto for men, or one could look at is a just good humor from a different time.
I really don't know how to rate this book, but I am not a writer so what the hell do I know.
June 2, 2025
"YOU CAN BE A DIRTY OLD MAN ONLY AS LONG AS YOU LIVE. ONCE YOU DIE, IT'S OVER!
"With utter frankness, Dr. A. touches on every angle of the art of being not only a dirty old man, but a sensuous dirty old man: the stare, the leer, the snicker, the snort, the fatherly squeeze, the uncle-ish tweak, and the 'problems.': What do you say when the husband arrives? What do you do when you meet that dread adversary, the dirty old woman?
"NOTHING IS LEFT TO THE IMAGINATION!"
~~back cover
Since the author generally is uproariously funny, I was looking forward to another . I'll stick to his science fiction books from now on.
"With utter frankness, Dr. A. touches on every angle of the art of being not only a dirty old man, but a sensuous dirty old man: the stare, the leer, the snicker, the snort, the fatherly squeeze, the uncle-ish tweak, and the 'problems.': What do you say when the husband arrives? What do you do when you meet that dread adversary, the dirty old woman?
"NOTHING IS LEFT TO THE IMAGINATION!"
~~back cover
Since the author generally is uproariously funny, I was looking forward to another . I'll stick to his science fiction books from now on.
December 12, 2019
Good advice in the light of today's society. Hilarious.
January 25, 2025
I took the whole book as satire and thought it was hilarious. Is it not supposed to be satire am I missing something?
August 9, 2025
Deeply funny, not just in a slapstick way — there are tons of clever literary nods and puns throughout.
October 4, 2021
Color me shocked that I actually enjoyed this some. I chuckled out loud a time or two. I even read a couple snippets to my husband.
Isaac Asimov was a dick. A total ass. Disrespectful to women and full of himself. I wanted to hate this book.
I really did.
But it is so over the top, tongue in cheek that I could let myself enjoy it. I by no means sympathize with a misogynist. But there is something to be said for a misogynist owning what he is and not trying to deceive people about who he is. It allows me to almost trust him because I know to stay away from him.
5 surprised stars
Isaac Asimov was a dick. A total ass. Disrespectful to women and full of himself. I wanted to hate this book.
I really did.
But it is so over the top, tongue in cheek that I could let myself enjoy it. I by no means sympathize with a misogynist. But there is something to be said for a misogynist owning what he is and not trying to deceive people about who he is. It allows me to almost trust him because I know to stay away from him.
5 surprised stars
January 9, 2025
I found this book on a hunt to find something interesting for my husband as a Christmas gift. The title is what drew me in since "dirty ol'man" is something I like to call him. I went ahead and read it in one evening. Hilarious! I laughed many times. Quite entertaining and I wouldn't doubt that this advice works in the most practical way. We ladies have met such men and they are their own breed of man.
And this is the last thing I will be giving my husband. He's mine and I don't want him getting any ideas.
And this is the last thing I will be giving my husband. He's mine and I don't want him getting any ideas.
January 13, 2010
Why I Read This Book: I was on an Asimov kick, and decided to get around to this one.
This was better than I expected; it's extremely light, almost like a souffle. I find the back cover photo and caption hilarious. The book is smirky without being smarmy, and not even remotely off-color. The full-page goofy photos add to the charm; I'm not sure how they'd fare in the paperback.
In I. Asimov , Asimov said he completed it in a weekend as a response to the The Sensuous Woman and The Sensuous Man, which "were selling in runaway lots, though, in my opinion, they were rotten books even on their own terms (judging by what little I could read of them without gagging)." He also said he was ashamed of the back-cover photo, and of appearing in similar garb on Dick Cavett's TV show, but I still think it's hilarious.
(Finished 2010-01-11 23:25 EST)
This was better than I expected; it's extremely light, almost like a souffle. I find the back cover photo and caption hilarious. The book is smirky without being smarmy, and not even remotely off-color. The full-page goofy photos add to the charm; I'm not sure how they'd fare in the paperback.
In I. Asimov , Asimov said he completed it in a weekend as a response to the The Sensuous Woman and The Sensuous Man, which "were selling in runaway lots, though, in my opinion, they were rotten books even on their own terms (judging by what little I could read of them without gagging)." He also said he was ashamed of the back-cover photo, and of appearing in similar garb on Dick Cavett's TV show, but I still think it's hilarious.
(Finished 2010-01-11 23:25 EST)
May 13, 2024
The humor is a little dated. I think I like the concept of a how-to book on being a dirty old man better than the actual book. Asimov is certainly perceptive in what men say and do to women they don't know, but I kept wanting some sort of explanation for that behavior. Perhaps the book itself is the explananation.
September 20, 2015
Clever and fun. I haven't read the two books he is satirizing, but any encounter with Asimov is a pleasant one. Awesome and astute references to great literary and historical figures, parodying the greats. Happy Hunting!
March 9, 2012
Apparently written in 5 days on a bet. He proved his point, but it is purely light entertainment.
March 19, 2012
If you ever find a copy of this book, do -not- let it go. It is very hard to find and well worth the effort.
December 27, 2014
Best thing ever :D
September 27, 2015
Maybe this is not the book for our generation, but knowing who wrote it and keeping in mind the context makes this worthy of several chuckles.
February 10, 2008
One of my favourite books of all time
November 3, 2008
Indispensable. Though it is exactly what the title states, and so much more.
April 9, 2017
One of the things that interests me in Asimov is his breadth of writing. He's written about so many topics and in so many genres. That's what lead me to want to read Sensuous Dirty Old Man. I hadn't yet read a humor book from him. Asimovreviews.net gives this book it's highest rating for both Asimov fans and target audience. I guess I just don't see it. There were a few moments where I chuckled out loud. I love a good pun and there were certainly a few sprinkled here and there. Of course if it wasn't good I wouldn't have read it in an hour and a half or thereabouts. Not my favorite but for his 112 book I'll give it 4 stars.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews