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

by Sheik Netzawi (Author), Sir Richard Francis Burton (Translator), Mary S. Lovell (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: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #429,335 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.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining historical oddity, October 30, 2000

By	magellan (Santa Clara, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

I came across this book at random in a book store, never having heard or seen it before, and spent some time perusing it, reading several of the chapters, so although I haven't read the whole thing, I have some idea of what's it's about. This is basically the Arabic Kama Sutra. The Cheikh obviously intended this book to be useful as a practical manual for any man in his sex life, and, considering it was written in the 16th century, it just goes to show you that not much has changed when it comes to sex. Some of the sections are downright funny, such as the chapter that begins with all the Arabic terms and descriptions for the different personalities or "types of vulvas." They are described in words such as (I forget the Arabic terms, but anyway, the definition is the funny part): "The Hungry One: this is the vulva of a woman who has not had intercourse in a long time. It will not allow you to withdraw until you have entered it again and again." Other names translate as "the great one," and "the playful one." There are other even funnier descriptions, which I don't recall right now, but anyway, this will give you some idea of what they're like. Anyway, this book is entertaining if only for some of the choicer sections such as the above.

12 of 13 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.