Joy of Sex: Difference between revisions
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{{Header}} | {{Header|Joy of Sex}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Joy of Sex, The}} | ||
'The Joy of Sex' was an illustrated sex manual by [[Alex Comfort]], M.D., Ph.D., first published in 1972. An updated edition is scheduled for release in September 2008. | |||
== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
It was the first illustrated, serious | It was the first illustrated, serious manual of its kind to gain wide distribution-at least in modern America. (One might argue, for instance, that the [[Kama Sutra]] provided somewhat similar information over 1,000 years before.) Earlier works, such as the 1966 ''Human Sexual Response'' by '''[[Masters & Johnson|William H. Masters & Virginia E. Johnson]]''', were more circumspect and clinical. Conversely, The Joy of Sex is rather less circumspect and clinical in comparison to The Guide to Getting it On, published 20 years later. | ||
The Joy of Sex spent eleven weeks at the top of the New York Times bestseller list and more than 70 weeks in the top five (1972-1974). | The Joy of Sex spent eleven weeks at the top of the New York Times bestseller list and more than 70 weeks in the top five (1972-1974). | ||
The original intention was to use the same mainstream approach as | The original intention was to use the same mainstream approach as books like "The Joy of Cooking"; hence, section titles include "starters" and "main courses". The book features sexual practices such as oral sex and various sex positions as well as bringing "farther out" practices as sexual bondage and swinging to the attention of the general public. | ||
The original version contained numerous illustrations by Chris Foss based on original photographs of the book's art director and his wife. The illustrations have become somewhat dated, mainly | The original version contained numerous illustrations by Chris Foss based on original photographs of the book's art director and his wife. The illustrations have become somewhat dated, mainly due to changes in hairstyles. Both the illustrations and text are titillating as well as illustrative, contrasting with the bland, clinical style of earlier books about sex. More recent editions feature new artwork and additional text that emphasizes safer sex. | ||
Although the original | Although the original held a negative view of practices such as anal sex, newer versions reversed their previously supportive positions on topics like swinging, as extensive textual changes were made during the height of the 1980s AIDS panic. | ||
A | A pocketbook version entitled "The Joy of Sex, the Pocket Edition" was also published. The book won the Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year in 1997. | ||
The Joy of Sex did not address homosexual sex beyond the definition level. | The Joy of Sex did not address homosexual sex beyond the definition level. While there was a careful treatment of bondage (for the day), other BDSM activities received definition coverage at best. The book played a role in what is often called the sexual revolution. | ||
== Updated 2008 edition == | == Updated 2008 edition == | ||
Publishers Mitchell Beazley have announced the release of an updated edition of the book | Publishers Mitchell Beazley have announced the release of an updated edition of the book, scheduled for launch in September 2008. The new version has been rewritten and reinvented by relationship psychologist Susan Quilliam and approved by Nicholas Comfort, the son of the original author. | ||
25% | The book has been enriched with 25% additional material, and the existing content has been extensively revised from both factual and psychological perspectives to reflect social changes since 1972. This new edition not only offers a more balanced view of gender but also features 120 entirely new photographs and redrawn illustrations. | ||
The quirky style - and the message of the book, that sex is fun - remain the same. Mitchell Beazley | The quirky style - and the message of the book, that sex is fun - remain the same. Mitchell Beazley is marketing the "New Joy" with the subtitle "a thinking person's guide to sex". | ||
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Latest revision as of 20:10, 26 April 2025
'The Joy of Sex' was an illustrated sex manual by Alex Comfort, M.D., Ph.D., first published in 1972. An updated edition is scheduled for release in September 2008.
Overview
It was the first illustrated, serious manual of its kind to gain wide distribution-at least in modern America. (One might argue, for instance, that the Kama Sutra provided somewhat similar information over 1,000 years before.) Earlier works, such as the 1966 Human Sexual Response by William H. Masters & Virginia E. Johnson, were more circumspect and clinical. Conversely, The Joy of Sex is rather less circumspect and clinical in comparison to The Guide to Getting it On, published 20 years later.
The Joy of Sex spent eleven weeks at the top of the New York Times bestseller list and more than 70 weeks in the top five (1972-1974).
The original intention was to use the same mainstream approach as books like "The Joy of Cooking"; hence, section titles include "starters" and "main courses". The book features sexual practices such as oral sex and various sex positions as well as bringing "farther out" practices as sexual bondage and swinging to the attention of the general public.
The original version contained numerous illustrations by Chris Foss based on original photographs of the book's art director and his wife. The illustrations have become somewhat dated, mainly due to changes in hairstyles. Both the illustrations and text are titillating as well as illustrative, contrasting with the bland, clinical style of earlier books about sex. More recent editions feature new artwork and additional text that emphasizes safer sex.
Although the original held a negative view of practices such as anal sex, newer versions reversed their previously supportive positions on topics like swinging, as extensive textual changes were made during the height of the 1980s AIDS panic.
A pocketbook version entitled "The Joy of Sex, the Pocket Edition" was also published. The book won the Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year in 1997.
The Joy of Sex did not address homosexual sex beyond the definition level. While there was a careful treatment of bondage (for the day), other BDSM activities received definition coverage at best. The book played a role in what is often called the sexual revolution.
Updated 2008 edition
Publishers Mitchell Beazley have announced the release of an updated edition of the book, scheduled for launch in September 2008. The new version has been rewritten and reinvented by relationship psychologist Susan Quilliam and approved by Nicholas Comfort, the son of the original author.
The book has been enriched with 25% additional material, and the existing content has been extensively revised from both factual and psychological perspectives to reflect social changes since 1972. This new edition not only offers a more balanced view of gender but also features 120 entirely new photographs and redrawn illustrations.
The quirky style - and the message of the book, that sex is fun - remain the same. Mitchell Beazley is marketing the "New Joy" with the subtitle "a thinking person's guide to sex".
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Sources
Notes
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