Sexuality (The New Critical Idiom) [Paperback]

Joseph Bristow (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415084946 | ISBN-13: 978-0415084949 | Publication Date: March 27, 1997 | Edition: 1

Joseph Bristow introduces readers to the most influential contemporary theories of sexual desire and reveals how nineteenth century scientists invented 'sexuality'.
This clear and fascinating introductory guide makes complex theoretical ideas accessible to readers of all levels. It explores:
* the lasting influence of late-Victorian sexology
* conflicting accounts of eroticism
* the place of Freud and Lacan within cultural studies, literary criticism and feminist theory
* the importance of Bataille, Baudrillard, Cixous, Deleuze, Irigaray and Kristeva
* the legacy of Michel Foucault in queer theory today
* postmodern sexual identities, and the contemporary emphasis on erotic diversity.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The book... is a useful volume on the history of sexuality from the sexual typology of the late 19th century through psychoanalytic and antipsychiatric discourses, to recent feminist and queer theory debates.
–Boston Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (March 27, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415084946
• ISBN-13: 978-0415084949
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,928,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine and clearly written introduction to the field, July 14, 2002

By 

Jay Dickson (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Sexuality (The New Critical Idiom) (Paperback)

This is one of the clearest introductions I could imagine to the field of sexuality studies--Bristow does a fine job giving an overview of a very dense and crowded theoretical field. The chapters on sexology and on Foucault and his influence on [homosexual] studies are the best; I think the section on postmodern theory was probably not a good choice. Most of the models Bristow proposes here--Lyotard, Baudrillard, Deleuze & Guattari--really don't fit into the rest of the discussion, which is mostly about the desirtes of individuals rather than of "culture," and thus seem like a sop to critical fashion. The space this section took up (half a chapter) could have been used to speak more in depth about Freud or Lacan, or to give a fuller account of newer psychological insights into sexuality. But otherwise, this is a great introduction for students.