Sex in Middlesex: Popular Mores in a Massachusetts County, 1649-1699 [Paperback]

Roger Thompson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Thompson analyzes the court records of 17th century Middlesex County, searching for such sexually related crimes as fornication, breach of promise, sexual deviancy, and adultery. His findings help shatter the traditional historical caricature of New England Puritans as patriarchal, dour wife-beaters and child-abusers, a myth eloquently created by Perry Miller and most recently reinforced by Lawrence Stone. In the court records Thompson discovers Puritans who exhibited "tolerance, mutual regard, affection, and prudent common sense" within the context of a popular Puritan piety. A well-written social history that places Puritanism in a human rather than an intellectual framework, Sex in Middlesex is recommended for all students of American history and the American family. David Szatmary, Continuing Education, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Univ of Massachusetts Pr (February 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870236563
• ISBN-13: 978-0870236563
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,308,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3.0 out of 5 stars Sex in Middlesex, August 18, 2010

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Nancy Hughes - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sex in Middlesex: Popular Mores in a Massachusetts County, 1649-1699 (Paperback)

I bought this book aware that I had ancestors who lived in Middlesex. What a surprise it was to me that some of them were named in this book as ones who were causing problems when they lived there.

I was flustered, but realizing that those ancestors were human beings and not just names on a chart, I was able to come to terms with what I was reading.

Those who have ancestors in Middlesex might find it very revealing, as I did.