A History of Celibacy (Paperback)

~ Elizabeth Abbott (Author) "In ancient Greece, premarital chastity was such an essential requirement in brides that young women were thrust into marriage just after puberty to eliminate any..." (more)
Key Phrases: coerced celibacy, main sources for this section, postpartum celibacy, Father Divine, Church Fathers, Mother Ann (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

First time in paperback: "An ambitious and wide-ranging history" (The New Yorker) of 3000 years of celibacy, from the vestal virgins of Rome to contemporary athletes.

Celibacy is a worldwide practice that is often adopted, rarely discussed. Now, in Elizabeth Abbott's fascinating and wide-ranging history, it is examined in all its various forms: shaping religious lives, conditioning athletes and shamans, surfacing in classical poetry and camp literature, resonating in the voices of castrati, and perme-ating ancient mythology. Found in every society of the past, practiced by both the anonymous and the legendary (St. Catherine, Joan of Arc, Leonardo da Vinci, Elizabeth I, Gandhi), celibacy has as many stories as adherents, and Abbott weaves them into a provocative, seamless tapestry that brings history alive.

About the Author

Elizabeth Abbott has a Ph.D. in history and is Dean of Women at Trinity College, University of Toronto. She is the author of several books and lives in Toronto.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (May 22, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306810417
• ISBN-13: 978-0306810411
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #295,684 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully "tart romp through history"..., December 30, 2001

By	Kiera (RH, MI USA) - See all my reviews

A fabulously well-written book that offers one a great deal of food for thought. Yes, at times agonizingly explicit, but real and humanly written. More than expose or a simple history, but a personal journey, which the author herself took and took something from. Its breadth is commanding and admirable, its style is at once extremely academic and in the same instant entirely readable and smooth flowing.

In this day and age of non-interest in sex yielding implications of psychological imbalance or worse, it is nice to have something to refer to, something that clarifies the history and purpose of celibacy in all its negative and positive implications. An excellently researched and presented treastise.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, February 27, 2006

By	Snezana Vrangalova (East Europe) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's a highly informative and non-judgemental history of not only celibacy, but also sexuality in general throughout many different times and cultures. I loved the way Abbott managed to relate each form of celibacy to the social, religious, moral and economical circumstances in which it appeared - it gives the reader a broader understanding of societies and individuals who embraced or rejected celibacy.

In addition to this, History of Celibacy is beautifully written, maybe more difficult but extremely pleasurable to read. (It's also good for learning new words, especially if you're a non-native english speaker. I wish I'd read this book before I took my GRE, it would've added at least 50 points to my verbal score)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid recommendation despite some flaws, September 6, 2008

By	V. Brock (Midwest, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The author states in the introduction that she began her research with a strong opinion about celibacy: that it was unnatural. The six years she spent writing the book changed her mind on that (her current view is much more complicated). This initial judgment of celibacy obviously colors the narrative in some parts of the book, especially the early chapters.

I found a handful of instances where historical information contradicted other histories I have read. I tend to trust the other sources more: Abbott was researching the practice of and attitudes toward celibacy, and likely did not spend as much time evaluating her information on other issues.

But overall, this was a wonderfully complete narrative of celibacy's history all over the world, in cultures ancient and modern. The narrative draws one in, the analysis draws together disparate cultural ideas into compelling conclusions, and the book is packed full of fascinating information.