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The Book of the Penis (Paperback)

by Maggie Paley (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

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The Book of the Penis + A Mind of Its Own: A Cultural History of the Penis + Dick: A User's Guide
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  • This item: The Book of the Penis by Maggie Paley

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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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Grove Press (May 3, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0802136931
  • ISBN-13: 978-0802136930
  • Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.8 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #306,722 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews
5 star:
 (5)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
41 of 44 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.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME BOOK, May 16, 2001
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.

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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).

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Not much here
I thought this would be an interesting & harmlessly naughty little book my wife would get a kick out of. Unfortunately, the tone was 3rd grade silliness. Read more
Published 19 months ago by T. Keller

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!!
I personally just got done reading this book and I am still shocked by some of the things I learned about my "member. Read more
Published on March 31, 2007 by Brandon Depew

4.0 out of 5 stars Packaged to please.
A toe curler, an early anniversary gift from my husband...but (sadly) not a pop-up book. --Laurel825
Published on May 29, 2004 by Laurel825

1.0 out of 5 stars how did this ever get published?
i don't mean to be rude, but this is not a good book. oh, there are one or two decent facts, but overall there is no CONTENT.

i'm sure ms. Read more

Published on February 12, 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Too Much Information
Maggie Paley's The Book of the Penis is exactly that and nothing more. It is all penis all the time. She covers every aspect of the penis in all its wondrous forms. Read more
Published on November 19, 2000 by Ricky Hunter

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Awesome!
Very informative, fascinating and very funny! This book contains all you need to know about the male genitalia plus specifics you are dying to know but hesitant to ever ask.
Published on June 25, 1999

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