The Mastery of Submission: Inventions of Masochism (Cornell Studies in the History of Psychiatry) (Hardcover)

by John K. Noyes (Author) "In January 1994, as South Africa was preparing for its first democratic elections after almost fifty years of racist, white minority rule, a graduate student..." (more)
Key Phrases: Fanny Hill, United States, Leopold von Sacher-Masoch (more...)

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From Library Journal
That individuals sometimes derive sexual pleasure from submission to cruel discipline is no longer a dark secret hidden in society's closet. As witnessed in many popular movies, sadomasochism has entered the mainstream. How it achieved this status and, more important, its origins are the focus of this scholarly work. Noyes (German and literary theory, Univ. of Cape Town, South Africa) claims that although literary references to the practice date back to the 16th century, it was largely an invention of the late 19th century?an attempt to understand individuals for whom the economy of reward and punishment, on which society was thought to be based, broke down and failed. Noyes explores the work of Viennese physician Richard von Krafft-Ebing, who coined the term masochism, and he documents the evolution of the concept with scenes in literature from John Cleland's Fanny Hill to Pauline Reage's Story of O. This well-researched and penetrating study, geared to academics and the most informed lay readers, is recommended for academic libraries.?David R. Johnson, Fayetteville P.L., Ark.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
A very erudite, comprehensive, and searching study, which investigates masochism from a variety of perspectives. -- Elaine Showalter, Princeton University

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 265 pages
• Publisher: Cornell University Press (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801433452
• ISBN-13: 978-0801433450
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,445,847 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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22 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The Mastery of Submission : Inventions of Masochism, November 14, 2000

By	"livany" (Tumwater, Wa United States) - See all my reviews

If you are looking for an upper division college text style book on BDSM you just found one. The book is most certainly not designed for the causal reader. Its dry reading, and has a habit of taking making any point. In general it is much more fun to read the quotes they used rather then the whole book. For the college student researching BDSM this book might be more helpful. To the people in the scene just avoid this book, there really isn't much in it that you can't find elsewhere and in a better format.