Customer Reviews

Women Who Love Sex: An Inquiry into the Expanding Spirit of Women's Erotic Experience

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Gina Ogden is opening this dialogue for women in a new way. It has long been OK for men to love sex. Locker room talk does not stay in the locker room. Men like sex and like to brag about liking it. A woman who admits to liking sex is likely to be labeled a loose woman or a hoar.

As a survivor of incent I was put off by the title thinking this was one more book about an area of my life that was uncomfortable, unsafe, unfulfilling. At a friends recommendation I read it, and I felt it was written for me.

These are women ranging in age from maiden to crone who love sex as an expanded term that takes in comfort and ease in talking about it, and the many hungers women feel for touch and emotional connectedness that are not included in the male performance model the word sex usually conjures.

The book is also told in womens way - as story. These are real women and the stories and experiences shared are wide ranging. It is a book that adds many new questions to the emerging dialog about a sexuality of women defined by women.

This book was very, very liberating and affirming for me. I have read many books on sexuality in an attempt to better understand my own experience. I found that most, no matter how broad-minded and inclusive they purport to be, tend to pathologize behavior that the authors don't define as sexually "correct" in some way. Also, if they include spirituality at all, it is corralled into a limited definition, such as "tantric" sex. Such books encouraged me to define my own sexuality as largely dysfunctional. By reading this book, which describes the experiences of women who define themselves as loving sex , I was able to recognize kernels of my own experiences in their's. For instance, I may not be able to "think myself off," as some of the women Dr. Ogden interviewed are able to do (have a no-hands orgasm) , but , by reading about them, I was able to better appreciate that I can "think myself on!" Dr. Ogden appreciates a wide variety of experiences as completely valid ways of loving sex. (For instance, there are women who take an hour to have an orgasm, who define themselves as being "highly orgasmic." A more conventional "expert" might deem that time frame as being sexually dysfunctional, and try to fix something that Dr. Ogden assures us ain't broke!) I'm sure that many men would recognize their experiences in this book as well as women. In fact, I've read many passages aloud to my husband. Thanks, Dr. Ogden, and all blessings to you.

I bought this book to "prove" to my wife that there are Women Who Love Sex. I was also hoping to get some ideas for improving our sex life. I was pleasantly surprised at what I found.
I am a male, 52, who's been married for 29 yrs. I started out liking this book and ended up loving it. The information and ideas presented deepened my understanding of, and respect for, all women. At my age I thought that I had learned quite a bit about female sexuality. However, Dr. Ogden took me on a tour into the depths of women's sexuality and showed me things beyond what I could have imagined. You come away from the book realizing that women are more "advanced" sexually and emotionally than the vast majority of men. A careful reading of the book will also show men that women are equal to men intellectually and "deeper" than us spiritually. Yes, guys, these things must be said. It's time that we gave women their due.
I highly recommend this book for women and men everywhere. I honestly believe that no man can consider himself to be sexually mature in his interactions with women until he understands and puts to use the revelations in Dr. Ogden's book.

I gave it four stars not so much for the writing or content but for it subject matter. The author presents some excellent points on how the world deals with sex and the sexes. Her knowledge on the subject matter is very clear and aware. Most of the ideas she states as for the healing of the many wounds and mis-beliefs that exist in our world are excellent. If we all followed what she says we wouldn't have a perfect world but it would be a happier and less hostile one. There would be a lot less divorces and the life expectancy of the human race would dramatically increase. I found some of the writing to be somewhat simple. She states some of the facts repetitively in an effort I think to drive the points home for the reader. There are dialogs that seem to be a little unbelievable to come from the enlightened and intelligent people she worked with in her research(like those with Suzanne, I do believe the Chakra orgasms). Although it's position is not a staunch feminist perspective, I still found myself being defensive, in my mind, of being male. While there are many men out there who are the sexist, uncaring, tradition bound fools she talks about in parts of her book, there are many men out there who are quite the opposite(not too unlike Roberto). Overall I very much enjoyed the book. And like the title of this review says, I was pleased to have read it. It would make a very good addition for required reading in high schools. But somehow I don't think that will happen.

Gina's book has been a great tool for me in coming from a place of much woundedness around my sexuality. It has helped me to move beyond the pain and shame that has been a part of my entire half century of life. Women Who Love Sex has given me hope . . hope that it is okay, it is healthy to embrace my sexuality in a positive way. Reading Women Who Love Sex has helped me to see that I am not alone in my journey to recapture the beauty and pleasure that is my birthright. This book has given me more faith. It is high time for women to bring our sexuality out of the "closet." Thank you, Gina, for your courage and insight to contribute so richly to a population starving for connection with our sexual wholeness!

I'm glad I read this book and I think it has the potential to help many readers feel "normal" or to seek help if they are extremely inhibited or repressed about sex. I have to admit that there were dozens of instances when I feel the author's ego got in the way of the book. She congratulates herself quite a lot and even devotes the first chapter to her own love for sex. From reading the afterwords and extra material, it seems like she has the right to be defensive since many reviewers make fun of or attack her view, particularly male ones. So, I forgive her at the end, but I found parts of the book a bit dull, despite the topic.

Still, I don't mean to discourage anyone from reading it. There were some very useful parts -- it's just that it is not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination. I personally didn't read much that I didn't already know, but as I said, it would be very liberating for anyone who think sex is bad or that sex has to be painful and boring.

I was quite refreshed after reading this book.I think it was very enlightening.And, it spoke to me like no other. I have read many self help & awarness books.But, never felt the way I did after reading this one.I felt empowered with strength and at peace with the need to be spiritual and sexual. I have recommended this book to many of my friends and am waiting on my fiance to finish it. I don't think it would hurt for everyone in this world to be enlightened.And from words in the book - we just need to be open to communication, and have a steadfast willingness to give up dysfunctional behavior.The world would be a much better place, if this was possible!!

these are real women reporting their lives. and the journeys of some to get from pain to pleasure, which is their right. The focus is on positive sexual experiences - something rarely if ever done. Hearing all positive things sounds strange - which tells us how negative our culture is about women's sexuality. Finally a book that doesn't call women "happy sluts" or something, just bcs they love sex or report positive experiences. no such word exists for men who love sex - that's just considered "normal". its about time some science backs up women's positive sexual feelings.

Gina Ogden's book Women Who Love Sex is a gentle guide to help women discover the deeper sources of their sexual energy and enjoyment. You don't have to start out loving sex to read it. Hearing other women's stories gives permission to create your own positive sexual experiences.

I am a 62 year old man who believes that sexuality can be a force for love and good in the world, even though it often isn't. This book offers a wonderful path for women (and the men who love them) to move in the most positive direction towards uniting their spiritual and physical selves. I highly recommend it.