The Perfumed Garden of Cheikh Nefzaoui: A Manual of Arabian Erotology (Signet Classics) (Paperback)

~ Sheik Netzawi (Author), Sir Richard Francis Burton (Translator), (Introduction) "LEARN, O Vizir (God's blessing be upon you), that there are different sorts of men and women, that amongst these are those who are worthy..." (more)
Key Phrases: autograph edition, virile member, Abou Nouass, Act of Generation, God the Highest (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Written in the 16th Century, this volume is one of the oldest texts on the subject of erotica. It provides a fascinating look into the sexual customs and behavior of Arabia in the Middle Ages, much like the Kama Sutra reflects ancient Hindu culture. Translated into English by the renowned explorer Sir Richard F. Burton, The Perfumed Garden Of The Cheikh Nefzaoui explicitly sings the praises of intimacy. Sections include "Concerning Everything Favorable to Coition," "Of Matters which are Injurious in the act of Generation," and "On the Deceits and Treacheries of Women." With complete candor, this classic celebrates sensual pleasure with beautiful prose.


"I swear before God, certainly! The knowledge of this book is necessary. It will be only the shamefully ignorant, the enemy of all science who does not read it, or who turns it into ridicule." --Cheikh Nefzaoui

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Arabic

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Signet Classics (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451526597
• ISBN-13: 978-0451526595
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #726,838 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Any Person's Wake Up, June 30, 2000

By	rareoopdvds (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

A highly erotic, exotic and curious manuel written in the 16th century is the Perfumed Garden of the Cheikh Nefzaoui. This book was reccomended to me in the readings of Aleister Crowley on one of his many discourses on sexual magic. The purpose of the Perfumed Garden is to inform the individual of "proper" sexual practice, the wheres and whens and know-hows and know-whos. Describing all sorts of positions (and the author comments that the reader is welcome to make up their own), to the different sizes and shapes of the male and female genitals (amazon forbids me to say those dirty nasty words). In almost each instance, the author gives a story in how to seduce a woman and what to do with her once you have. When not to fornicate and what to consider once you have. The book does have a male bias, as it is written from a male point of view, and being that of the Arabian society, men were the seekers or the hunters while women were the focus. It would appear that women have less of an option in many cases, however, there is respect given to the women as they dont neccesarily have to "give it up" when a man wants her, but rather the man has to "win" her over. It is the womans job to look as beautiful as she can (personality not included). Sadly, at least, being a male I like to think it sad, that the author does give the message that any male ample enough in their virility to make a womans eyes pop out of her head and their jaws drop to their knees can win any women. Yet, the Perfumed Garden does not by any means neglect technique, which as modern day sexologists would agree is primary for any sexual compatability from both sides of the court to exist harmoniously. A good companion to the Karma Sutra, the well known Hindu Manuel of Erotology. I enjoyed the book purely for the erotica involved, which I found completely stimulating in all areas of the body. I also found it curious and practical in many ways that it can spice anyones life, as well as make one think about size; length, width and depth...and of course, their compatability.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sort of an Arabic Kama Sutra, August 28, 2004

By	wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

But only 'sort of'. It does cover the physical act of love in some detail. That includes the many poses that couples might try together. It also covers all the lore about what makes a man or woman desirable, and about resizing one's genitals for better performance (larger for him, smaller for her). There's other medical lore, too, including potions for ending an unwanted pregnancy. The most interesting discussion covered techniques suitable when he, she, or both had physical deformities or paraplegia. I guess that the 16th century Arab world lacked modern medicine, so such irregularities were part of everyday life.

This differs from the Indian texts in several important ways. First, this discusses sexuality as an isolated topic. It lacks the Kama Sutra's placement of sex as one among many social graces. Second, it adds a number of brief stories, a la 1001 Nights, to illustrate its teachings, and adds a section on dream interpretation. Third, although the Perfumed Garden attends to women's needs in the bedroom, it displays a generally low regard for women elsewhere.

Still, this book tells us a lot about two times and places. The first is the 16th century Arabic world, as set down by Sheikh al-Nafzawi (the author). This gives a look at the medicine, the culture, and the folklore of that time. It also tells us about Sir Richard Burton's England, in the Victorian era. Like so many other British translations of that time, the English rendering carries the indelible stamp of its translator and of its period. The Burton translation is decidedly aging - modern phrasing and scholarship would make this a much more interesting book. Still, any translation is better than none, and the Victorian flavor is part of this book's character.

There are lots of reasons for reading this book: for its view of mid-Eastern culture, for its view of sexuality, or just for fun. That last is my reason, and it works.

//wiredweird

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfumed Garden of the Cheikh Nefzaoui, May 10, 2000

By	April L. Pitcher CPS (Bermuda) - See all my reviews

Cheikh Nefzaoui wrote this book for men so that they might have sucessful coition with their wife(ves) so that the act of generation as presented in this book is God as ordained...beautiful.

Instructions on sucessful seduction, excitation, and stimulation of every womanly body part is described with prose and poetry, and explicitly sexy stories.

My personal favorites were the numerous and sundry names of the male and female parts; and the instructions and recipies on how to make a male member splendid!

The author also provided the Arabian names and terminology for the act of generation as well as the various names of the male and female parts. He also shares the beauty of the Arabian culture in every opening sentence of each chapter as well as some idealogy from the Mussulmans. The original manuscript was translated by four French officers and later translated by Sir Richard F. Burton and much of the original context has been lost, with that in mind I still found the book to be full of beauty and grace.

This is the most sexy and erotic book I have read in a while. A book that I found incrediably enjoyable reading and shadows this book is a romatic fiction "The Tutor," by Robin Schone.