The Book of the Penis [Hardcover]

Maggie Paley (Author), Sergio Ruzzier (Illustrator) (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1999

The almighty penis (a.k.a. dick, schlong, pecker, rod, tool, johnson, etc.) has long been a major object of adoration, revulsion, ridicule, amazement, joy, pride, and even frustration. Novelist, playwright, and journalist Maggie Paley completely submerged herself in the obsessive world of this most forthright of organs for well over a year. She researched scholarly volumes, anthropology texts, and sex-shop glossies; interviewed sex workers, transsexuals, and connoisseurs; attended male strip shows and a Hindu lingam ceremony; visited Web sites where men share masturbation techniques; and even searched out a New York City urologist rumored to be in possession of Napoleon's penis. And, yes, she objectively addresses the big question: "Does size matter?" Along the way, we encounter deliciously entertaining and highly informative chapters - with delightful illustrations - on penis worship, fellatio, and men who are famous for their dicks, as well as the penis in art, fashion, literature, films, and much more. This handsomely designed bedside companion, complete with witty chapter-opening illustrations, virtually erupts with facts, fallacies, fantasies, and amazing adventures, and is the perfect gift for women and men, straight and gay. It's certain to develop classic stature.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Penis. Penis, penis, penis. Say the word penis often enough and not only will you no longer choke on it, but you may even be able to write a report about the male member that gets straight to the point. Novelist Paley (Bad Manners, 1985) is right: Once the subject becomes the male sexual organ, every phrase, every word, is a double entendre. Nevertheless, she plunges ahead (there it is again) with a book that explores physiology (size matters, at least as evidenced by the ruler and the fig leaf on the coverdesigned to lift and reveal Michelangelo's vision of David's penis), history, penis worship, and penises in art, literature, movies, and fashion. There are also stomach-churning reports on what men in various cultures (including our own) do or allow to be done to their genitals, ranging from circumcision and castration to piercings, inserts, and tattoos. A section called ``The Secret Life of Men'' reports on masturbation, entertainment, products (including, of course, Viagra), and an epilogue lists men famous for their size and/or skill, including presidents, movie and sports stars, and Gregor Rasputin. A series of ``Penis Interviews'' offers intimate and sometimes thoughtful observations from transsexuals, a porn star, and a male hustler. There are wonderful bits of esoteric erotica, including a description of the fashionable Japanese penis package, the ``Nippon Slip-on,'' and activist Eldridge Cleaver's failed effort to reintroduce the codpiece to American fashion. The author is often shadowed by a male friend, Enrique, who serves as a valuable truth versus baloney meter in evaluating the information she collects. Creative black-and-white illustrations serve as chapter headings. Spirited, filled with fact and some fancy, emphasizing the penis's power to drive male behavior but designed to make both women and men more comfortable with the dreaded wordand perhaps even the actualitypenis. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Review

"The Book of the Penis should be required reading for anyone who has a penis, wants a penis, or loves someone who has or wants a penis. This is the best kind of writing about sex: titillating and informative." -- Dan Savage, author of Savage Love

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 242 pages
• Publisher: Grove Pr (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802116485
• ISBN-13: 978-0802116482
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 4.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,630,296 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart and fun!, October 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Book of the Penis (Hardcover)

This is one of the most fun books I have ever read. I bought this book on a whim and ended up enjoying it immensely. Ms. Paley has thoroughly covered her subject matter. It is both informative and eye-opening. As a gay man, I was especially impressed by the way that she dealt with the unique experiences of gay men in regard to the penis. There aren't many books written by straight women with gay porn references. I laughed out loud as she recounted her experiences at New York City gay strips clubs and "Big Dick" contests. This book covers everything from foreskins to fetishes in a smart, conversational fashion. I brought this book to work and it provoked hours long debates and discussion. By the end of that day, I knew more than I ever wanted to know about the members of my co-workers, their boyfriends' and husbands'. A passionate argument about the virtues or vices of the foreskin broke out; with gay men and some uncut guys against a group of straight women and men. It was hilarious. Any book that can lead to this much fun is worth having. I highly reccomend it and congratulate Maggie Paley on having written it.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME BOOK, May 15, 2001

By 

[e-mail] - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of the Penis (Paperback)

This is a crash course into the male sex organ which explores everything from the physiology of the erection to the role of the penis in different men and cultures. The author went to great lengths to interview sex workers, single and married men and women, as well as transsexuals.

The book touches on every conceivable aspect, characteristic, practice and custom related to the penis. This author has created a book that educates and entertains. It's filled with fact and fantasy. It was fun to read and gave me a greater understanding of a mans powerful body part.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, serious, detailed, fun yet not salacious., July 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Book of the Penis (Hardcover)

This book surveys the topic of "penis" without pandering to salacious interests of any kind. For example, there are no photographs. Paley is a serious writer, and attempts to treat the topic neutrally. Yet it is fun and many details are provided with a light touch. Centuries of penis events, practices, and topics are surveyed in only 200 small (well, 6 1/2 inches) pages.

I read the book fortuitously, not looking for it. But I'm glad I did. You don't have to be obsessed about penises or sex to enjoy the book (though you may feel shy about displaying it on your desk).