Book Review - Sex: Lessons From History by Fern Riddell

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?I

I'm not quite sure what to make of this book. It is exploration of how sex and sexual attitudes have changed over the years - but flits between being a bright-and-breezy pop-sci book an academic work.

There's a great quote partway through the book:

Any form of gender or sexual identity that exists today, has existed throughout history. Our sexual landscape has always been a wild and untamed thing

But, as the book continues, it becomes clear that there is a constant drumbeat from those who want to suppress our natural proclivities. Frustratingly, it never really gets into the why. What causes such seemingly abrupt changes in sexual attitudes? Why do certain societies develop taboos which didn't trouble their ancestors?

There are lots of great anecdotes. It's also interesting to spot the "life hacks" which allowed members of the gentry to flout the rules and conventions of their time. There's also this amusing little diversion about Anne Lister:

Although she did not have the vote herself, she could instruct her male tenants how to vote

Outstanding!

It's a good overview of what has changed (and what hasn't) - and is probably a good introduction for the sort of pub-bores who go on about the moral degeneracy of today's youth.