The Big Book of Masturbation: From Angst to Zeal (Paperback)

by Martha Cornog (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Few subjects have been as maligned and mythologized through the ages and across so many disciplines as masturbation, with descriptions ranging from self-abuse to self-love. This unique volume brings together a wealth of fact and opinion from the pages of linguistics, law, history, social science, philosophy, religion, spirituality, medicine, and many more. Carefully researched and attributed, the author's selections alternately entertain and entrance, while educating us about the breadth and depth of this practice common to all, taboo to some, celebrated by others.

The BIG Book of Masturbation addresses the myths and questions that have plagued society for centuries, from whether you get hairy palms and/or go blind from masturbating to whether self-pleasuring is illegal. The author shares with us how porcupines and other animals pleasure themselves, attitudes about solo sex practices from the South Seas to South Africa, and Mark Twain's views on the subject. She also analyzes our culture's seemingly inconsistent responses to the masturbation brouhahas of PeeWee Herman, Dr. Joycelyn Elders, and Ann Landers.

Presenting masturbation from a variety of perspectives, this is a thoughtful and intelligent look at the controversies that surround this intriguing and universally practiced--and until now snubbed--behavior.

About the Author
Martha Cornog edited Libraries, Erotica, & Pornography (1991), which won the American Library Association's Eli M. Oboler Award for intellectual freedom in 1992. She has written articles on sexuality materials in library collections for Library Journal, Collection Building, Journal of Information Ethics, and SIECUS Report--many in collaboration with her husband, Timothy Perper. She is manager of membership services for a medical society, has held positions in several libraries, and received an M.S. in library science from Drexel University and an M.A. in linguistics from Brown University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Down There Press (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940208296
• ISBN-13: 978-0940208292
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #768,380 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exactly as promised, January 26, 2004

By	TammyJo Eckhart "TammyJo Eckhart" (Bloomington, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Martha Cornog promises to give us information on masturbation usually only accessible to experts of sexuality or ethics, philosophy or religion. In six sections she covers a lot of information, all of it well documented and much of it in the words of the scholars, authors, and thinkers she's used in her research. This isn't a how-to book, it isn't erotic or porn, and it isn't for the casually curious. It is a well-written and supported look into the often taboo subject of self or mutual pleasure for pleasure's sake.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very Informative yet Not too Dry Read, October 29, 2006

By	David Colder (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

The Big Book of Masturbation is an enjoyable collection of material that is complete and informative. Not a Dry presentation, but Intresting and Informative. Information in this book came form many sources, and credit is given in all cases to the source author. There is also many additional references given for further research into other Books or Websites. There is something for everyone in this Book. I think you will find yourself Jerking Off after a chapter or two of this book.

10 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reading!, January 6, 2004

By A Customer

Lots of relevant information about the history, sociology, religious aspects, etc. A fabulous resource.