Customer Reviews

Between XX and XY: Intersexuality and the Myth of Two Sexes

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If you've never thought beyond the concept of "opposite sexes" this is a really great primer. If you're a gender and sexuality nerd like me, you won't learn a whole lot of brand new stuff from this book.

Callahan spends a lot of time debunking the myth of the two sexes - there's slightly more in the book about that than there is about disorders of sexual development or intersex. If you're looking for a really in-depth read that focuses on intersex, this isn't that book. But if you're looking for some more general stuff about the science of the differences between men and women and genetic variations that will tweak your concepts of "men" and "women", this book is very much worth your time.

Callahan was able to write a very readable book that didn't bore me or confuse me at all, even when he writes about chromosomes and karyotypes and stuff. In addition to good content about human sexuality, he devotes a good amount of time to writing about hermaphroditic animals, which is fascinating stuff and will further erode your notions of a two-sex model. The case studies of intersex people included in the book are also engaging, though also pretty heartbreaking.

If you are up for something heavier, more theory-laden and more advanced about the differences among the sexes (see what I did there? implying that there are more than two sexes with grammar?), check out Anne Fausto-Sterling's Myths of Gender: Biological Theories About Women and Men. That book was originally published in 1987, updated in 1992 - so some of the science is a little our of date, but it's a really great and challenging read.

I chose this book because of its synopsis and the reviews of others, and am glad that I did. The author's style is very readable and he makes a very complex subject understandable. While its obvious that he has definite opinions on this subject, he does a good job of keeping them in check while he writes. Presenting the history of our understanding of sex along with the current state of knowledge brings an historical continuity to the book, which was helpful. Excellent footnoting and bibliography for those who wish to read further. All the different intersex variations become a bit difficult to keep separate after awhile, but I suspect that's more my unfamiliarity with the subject than his writing.

This is a good book if you want a primer on the subject of intersexuality, either for yourself or as a gift.

I suggest you have read some evo-devo before delving into this book. The premise is that gender is at least as malleable as eye color, body height and weight, and many other characteristics. Beyond that, there are many variations past XX and XY, and the current thinking is to place every child squarely into the XX/XY dichotomy. Additionally, recent medical practice has been to do so with or without consent of parents??? (no verification or sources of this) - a plea for acceptance of those that fall somewhere between these two endpoints - and an attempt at scientific explanation of how much diversity there is in between.

I recommend this book, even though I thought it could have been better written. The information is substantial and crucial to our understanding of gender.

I am a hermaphrodite with Klinefelter syndrome and androgen insensitvity syndrome and I need to read every page of this book over and over, but I got to page one hundred and it went to page sixty-nine. Then the book goes to sixty-nine to one hundred and starts again on page 133. My medical records made by the U.S. Army found me to be a female hermaphrodite and I am trying to understand why I am now a female army officer. I will do what I can to help fix the problem and enrich the study of hermaphroditism which has three cases in my family. Jo XXY

Between XX and XY should be an interesting read. Sadly, it is not. Dr. Callahan writes from a political point of view: namely, that the world should accept anybody on their own terms. This slant has the unfortunate effect of making what he has to say untrustworthy. So, if you wish to confirm your own beliefs you could find satisfaction in his highly readable book. Seekers of facts and unbiased opinions should stay away.

I'm penning this review as a warning to anyone considering purchasing this book--there are far better books out there regarding intersexuality and gender economics than this one.

The writing style managed to be simplistic and meandering. I read approximately 90 pages, intent on finishing the book, only to discover that my copy was MISSING thirty-five pages out of it. Granted, I had started skimming after about the twentieth page, but to have spent good money on a book that is defective?

Hopefully this review has disuaded you from this purchase. Invest your time and money elsewhere.