Customer Reviews

The Naked Man: A study of the male body

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I thought by the title this book would have more pictures of the male physique. Having studied anatomy for over 17 years I was invariably drawn to "the naked man" and although I did find it enlightening, was different than expected. Desmond Morris integrates biology and history with a touch of sexual overtone throughout his chapters, diversifying the reasons why nature created the human male form the way it is, right down to the last detail. Although he does a retouch on anthropology, it's not a primary focus, instead choosing a more basic "head, shoulders, knees and toes" sort of thing for any eighth-grader to understand. The combination of man vs. nature is clearly absent in his theories, pointing a finger directly at sex and shifting the blame from survival of the fittest to sexual selection. An amazing journey that can turn you on to the radical phallic dimensions man has undergone over the years.

From the onset, I must warn people not to rely too much on the "Reed Review." For example, they never state what's "poor science" or for that matter "good science." If they were PROPER scientists, they would understand that science is not dogma and is open to different view points-provided that those view points cohere to a set of standards-Morris has spent his entire career trying to understand the human animal, and we are very lucky that he shares his wisdom with us.

For the charge that his view point is "hetrosexual," I have to say that's foolish. Morris is not a bigot, and throughout this book he presents his view that reproduction is the main purpose of evolution-which it is-but he never once bashes homosexuality. And to make sure the readers of my review understand, I am a homosexual, and I didn't feel offended by Morris' book. What does offend me, is a review that is so "politically correct," that it comes off as compassionate, when it's just ignorance and outdated thinking.

The book doesn't ramble into one area after another, which I suppose shows that who ever supplied the review, hasn't read the book. It's rather structured and focuses on one body part after another, much like his previous book "The Naked Woman."

So in short, read the book for yourself, but never rely upon the "Reed Review."

In a scientific and dryer style than in `The Naked Ape', Desmond Morris analyzes technically, historically, psychologically, theatrically or psychiatrically all parts of the human body as well as their transformation in the evolution of mankind.

In the process we learn a lot of things.
To sharpen one's appetite, one can find here the answers on the following questions: what part of the male body has the most sex appeal and why? What is a Prince Albert? Why have men testicles outside the abdomen (not for reasons of temperature)? What is a `testical chair'? What's the appeal of long legs? Why are gay men so valuable? What is the real meaning of the term `football'? What is the origin of the term `Adam's Apple'? What is Asphyxiophilia? Why place people their hands over their mouth when they yawn (not out of politeness)? Why are our feet the most honest parts of the whole human body? Why is the ring finger called the `digitus medicus'? How functions the nose as an air-conditioner? What is the strength of a human hair?

This book is a must read for all men and women.

I recommend you purchase this book with the companion "The Naked Woman". They are a great analysis of what makes us human, both male and female.