For Yourself: The Fulfillment of Female Sexuality [Paperback]

Lonnie Garfield Barbach (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Should be read not only by women but by their partners." -- Mary Calderone, M.D. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

An excellent, reassuring book for women and their partners. It carries the woman along step-by-step in the rediscovery of her own sexuality and the pleasure it will bring her. Liberated or not, single or married, young or old, all women will find this book accessible and supportive.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; 1 edition (December 30, 1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385112459
• ISBN-13: 978-0385112451
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,015,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An ever-helpful classic for the sexually inhibited woman, July 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: For Yourself: The Fulfillment of Female Sexuality (Signet) (Paperback)

There's a reason this book continues to be reprinted and available 27 years after its first publication! For women who have never connected with their own sexuality, who see sex as something they do for their partners and not for themselves--and, yes, there are still many women with these attitudes in 1999, despite the sexual revolution--this is just the best book available. In my 20 years as a sex therapist, I have never recommended this book to a sexually inhibited woman who has not found it thought-provoking.

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm grateful for this book!, June 4, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: For Yourself : The Fulfillment of Female Sexuality (Paperback)

I just finished reading this book last night. When I first picked it up and read the first few chapters, I was so engrossed that I couldn't put it down. Within the first few pages I felt like the author was addressing me personally. Before this book I really thought I was the only woman on planet Earth that couldn't have an orgasm and I felt very uncomfortable sharing this problem with anyone for fear that I'd be told that I was a freak of nature and would need to be shot to be put out of my misery. I was so relieved to find that there was actually a whole book written about this problem and that I was not alone.

Some readers here have commented that certain sections of the book are outdated, especially the parts that deal with the distorted ways that women are brought up to view sex, but believe me, there are still a lot of us out there that were brought this way and I'm only 28. Cultural and religious background may have a big impact on this. I had a Hispanic, Catholic upbringing. But this book never speaks to a specific type of woman, it speaks to ALL women, in a warm, straighforward manner. The concept is that physiologically, we are all the same.

Indeed the one and only thing that I found quite disturbing about this book is in the Chapter on how to bring your children up to be sexually healthy. It straight up says it's okay to have sexual feelings and fantasies about your children, just don't act upon those feelings. I'm not a psychologist but that doesn't sound right to me. I think someone who has those thoughts and feelings towards a child, no matter whose they are, probably has some other sexual issues and should seek some professional help!

Other than that, I can honestly say this book changed me. I gradually felt a difference in my attitude towards sex, which has made me a happier person in general. I don't feel angry and resentful towards sex as I used to. I would recommend this book to any woman who feels anxiety or stress towards sex. At the very least you should give it a shot, it's an easy read. I'm not done going through the exercises in this book but I am grateful just for the fact that it has changed my views on sex and has made me so comfortable with my sexuality and femininity.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Opening, August 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: For Yourself: The Fulfillment of Female Sexuality (Signet) (Paperback)

I thought this book was wonderful. It made me realize I was not alone. Reading womens' magazines and talking to friends had me convinced I was the only woman in her twenties not having orgasms. This book helped me understand my body better, cleared up many of my misconceptions, and allowed me to achieve orgasm. I would recommend this book to anyone and have shared it with all my friends (who said they now have even better orgasms). My sex life can be divided into before this book and after, and the after is great!