How Sex Works

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How Sex Works
Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do
How Sex Works.jpg
AuthorSharon Moalem
LanguageEnglish
SubjectScience
GenreNon-fiction
Publisher Harper
Publication date
April 28, 2009
Publication placeUnited States
Media typeHardback & paperback
Pages288 pp (hardback edition)
ISBN 9780061479656 (hardback)
Preceded by Survival of the Sickest: The Surprising Connections Between Disease and Longevity  

How Sex Works: Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do is a 2009 book by evolutionary biologist and New York Times bestselling author Sharon Moalem, published by HarperCollins. [1] [2] The book examines the scientific reasons people are attracted to one another, including the evolutionary underpinnings of sexual attraction, monogamy, and sexual orientation. [3] [4]

Contents

Overview

How Sex Works uses evolutionary biology to explore human sexuality, and how sexuality can influence society in terms of human relations and belief systems. The author examines the physiological purpose behind how sensory data is interpreted by the human body and its effect on human sexuality. [5] Moalem argues that menstruation, fertility, penis size, orgasm, ejaculation and contraception all have traces back to the "survival of the fittest" and the human desire to find a healthy partner for reproduction. [6] The book covers other evolutionary factors influencing sexual attraction including pheremones, genetic makeup, immune system compatibility and ovulation. [7]

The book uses various examples to illustrate the author's central point, including: [1] [2]

Criticism

Kirkus Reviews called the book "provocative and entertaining", describing it as "a volume stuffed with information that avoids getting bogged down in difficult medical terms or complex biological concepts." [5]

References

  1. 1 2 Cruz, Gilbert (4 May 2009). "How Sex Works". Time.
  2. 1 2 Winter, Jessica. "Between the Covers". Oprah.
  3. "EXCERPT: 'How Sex Works'". ABC News.
  4. Harris, Lynn. "Lynn Harris Reviews 'Behind the Bedroom Door,' 'How Sex Works,'". Washington Post.
  5. 1 2 "HOW SEX WORKS Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do". Kirkus Reviews.
  6. "The Daily Beast Recommends". The Daily Beast. The Daily Beast. 28 April 2009.
  7. A. Miller, Jen. "Review: 'How Sex Works: Why We Look, Smell, Taste, Feel, and Act the Way We Do,' by Dr. Sharon Moalem". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-02-12.