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Review
She accomplishes this heroic task with humour, skill and passion in a book that is as entertaining as it is erudite (Catherine Hakin THE OBSERVER )
An important book... exactly the kind of level-headed analysis that could help to dispel some of the hysteria surrounding the sex industry (Suzi Godson THE TIMES )
An important book... exactly the kind of level-headed analysis that could help to dispel some of the hysteria surrounding the sex industry (Suzi Godson THE TIMES )
Review
She accomplishes this heroic task with humour, skill and passion in a book that is as entertaining as it is erudite -- Catherine Hakin THE OBSERVER 20120415 An important book... exactly the kind of level-headed analysis that could help to dispel some of the hysteria surrounding the sex industry -- Suzi Godson THE TIMES 20120416 there is a lot to admire in The Sex Myth. should be read by anyone claiming an interest in sex and, especially, sex equality" -- Katie Law EVENING STANDARD 20120419 an enlightening must-read for anyone exposed to the press -- Abby O'Reilly THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY 20120422
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
...but better. When I read that Dr Magnanti would be writing a new nonfiction book I expected it to be about her experiences of coming out from behind the mask of Belle de Jour. This is not that book.
It fuses her background as a sex worker and as a scientist to examine the pernicious myths that abound in the media such as are modern music and culture hypersexualising kids too early? Rather than rant about the topics as so many commentators do she provides solid evidence to challenge assumptions about topics like sex addiction and female desire.
The content will not shock you if you follow these issues on blogs but it is more of a Malcolm Gladwell style of book bringing under represented ideas to the mainstream. If you are familiar with the discussions it is still a good resource for putting all the pieces in one place. Apart from the chapter on lap dancing it relies heavily on previously published research and critique but that is one of its strengths.
I saw Dr Magnanti talk in Nottingham and liked not only the direct way she spoke but also the time she gave the audience to discuss and debate. She also gave a website address with links to the references online so readers can decide for themselves. It is rare to see a writer show where their information comes from and encourage debating their merit.
This is a challenging book and you will probably disagree with some things in it as I did. However there are loads of things to agree with. Such as is the problem of sexualisation less about sex and more about gender roles and commercialisation? It is easy to sit on the sidelines and criticise the people who have unpopular opinions and there is a lot of that in the reviews. Having the courage of one's convictions and the guts to talk about them is more worthwhile. Considering all the bad press she had it is surprisingly lighthearted in tone.
Personally I would have liked to read more about desire and see a debate about the fetishisation of the orgasm, whether the G-spot exists and more. However that is probably enough for another book in itself.
I found this an entertaining book which would be suitable for fans of Ben Goldacre's Bad Science. It is like the Bad Science of sex.
It fuses her background as a sex worker and as a scientist to examine the pernicious myths that abound in the media such as are modern music and culture hypersexualising kids too early? Rather than rant about the topics as so many commentators do she provides solid evidence to challenge assumptions about topics like sex addiction and female desire.
The content will not shock you if you follow these issues on blogs but it is more of a Malcolm Gladwell style of book bringing under represented ideas to the mainstream. If you are familiar with the discussions it is still a good resource for putting all the pieces in one place. Apart from the chapter on lap dancing it relies heavily on previously published research and critique but that is one of its strengths.
I saw Dr Magnanti talk in Nottingham and liked not only the direct way she spoke but also the time she gave the audience to discuss and debate. She also gave a website address with links to the references online so readers can decide for themselves. It is rare to see a writer show where their information comes from and encourage debating their merit.
This is a challenging book and you will probably disagree with some things in it as I did. However there are loads of things to agree with. Such as is the problem of sexualisation less about sex and more about gender roles and commercialisation? It is easy to sit on the sidelines and criticise the people who have unpopular opinions and there is a lot of that in the reviews. Having the courage of one's convictions and the guts to talk about them is more worthwhile. Considering all the bad press she had it is surprisingly lighthearted in tone.
Personally I would have liked to read more about desire and see a debate about the fetishisation of the orgasm, whether the G-spot exists and more. However that is probably enough for another book in itself.
I found this an entertaining book which would be suitable for fans of Ben Goldacre's Bad Science. It is like the Bad Science of sex.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a refreshing and incisive scientific view of a subject of primary interest to humankind,(i.e., sex, in case you hadn't worked it out), lightly written with a dry sense of humour. Sexual issues properly concern politics and society, and Dr M. completely demolishes various myths that permeate popular debate.
You can tell a book by the quality of its references, and as you would expect from a doctor in epidemiology, the argument is grounded in robust evidence.
She convincingly destroys, for example, the myths that rapes rise in districts with strip clubs, and that there is a huge "trafficking sex trade." The myths are not only wrong but the mis-information positively damages effective efforts to reduce rape and trafficking.
So it is good reading and if you are interested in social issues, essential, to consider evidence before arguing for policy.
You can tell a book by the quality of its references, and as you would expect from a doctor in epidemiology, the argument is grounded in robust evidence.
She convincingly destroys, for example, the myths that rapes rise in districts with strip clubs, and that there is a huge "trafficking sex trade." The myths are not only wrong but the mis-information positively damages effective efforts to reduce rape and trafficking.
So it is good reading and if you are interested in social issues, essential, to consider evidence before arguing for policy.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The cover comes with a garish sticker informing us that the author also wrote Belle de Jour. This seems unnecessary. What Dr. Magnati has written is a fascinating examination of how sex is reported in the U.K. that stands on its own merit. By writing an insightful book with hard facts she launches a devastating attack on those who oppose the sex industry. This book will make you take a more critical view of the motivations behind the stories we are fed. This matters because when all the papers start crusading about trafficking, or lap dance, or porn and that's all we see for months, we assume it is a danger without questioning the basic premise. We also fail to ask what stories these might be a cover for with sex being a common scapegoat. David Cameron wading into the ISP porn filter debate was a move to distract the press from the news of Tory councillors losing seats. Why is it on the political agenda? The implementation of these policies is ridiculous. It gives an example of a Daily Mail article that was supporting internet porn blocks but was illustrated with a picture containing naked images and is not blocked by standard net safety software. However sexual health advice with no nudity is blocked.
Densely written but always eye opening. The book has taken the scepticism of these topics out of the academic realm and put it firmly in the hands of the public. Some people won't like you reading this book and that should reason enough to read it.
Densely written but always eye opening. The book has taken the scepticism of these topics out of the academic realm and put it firmly in the hands of the public. Some people won't like you reading this book and that should reason enough to read it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Scientificity of Sex: Dr Magnanti's Discoveries
Dr Magnanti's book claims to be a scientific study of sex using statistics and scientific methods to dispel ten sex myths. Read more
Published 18 days ago by MR CB KEMP
Controversial and educational
Who isn't interested in sex? How people react to this book probably will depend on where they stand politically. This has certainly caused a storm. in some parts of the press. Read more
Published 18 days ago by rebekkaburton
Important
Human sexual behaviour is a riveting discipline to study, yet difficult, because strong beliefs prevail as to why people do what they do. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Georgia L.
A voice of reason a must read
I have finished reading of the latest offering by Dr Brooke Magnanti.
I was excited when the book dropped through my letter box as I had been looking forward to this... Read more
I was excited when the book dropped through my letter box as I had been looking forward to this... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Daz 1975
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