Alex Comfort

Alex Comfort (1920-2000) was a British scientist, physician, and author best known for writing The Joy of Sex (1972), a groundbreaking illustrated sex manual that sold over 12 million copies worldwide. His work helped normalize open discussions about sexuality during the sexual revolution of the 1970s. Beyond his famous sex manual, Comfort was a multifaceted intellectual who wrote extensively on gerontology, anarchism, and pacifism. He produced numerous works of fiction and non-fiction, including academic research papers on aging and social behavior. A graduate of Highgate School in London, Comfort later studied medicine and became a respected researcher in the field of aging. Despite losing most of his left hand in a childhood experiment with gunpowder, he went on to have a distinguished medical career. Comfort's interests extended beyond medicine and sexuality into natural history, particularly the study of molluscs. He was an active member of the Conchological Society of Great Britain & Ireland from an early age and made significant contributions to scientific literature in this field.

Readers primarily know Comfort for "The Joy of Sex" (1972), viewing him more as a sex educator than an author of his other works. On Goodreads, "The Joy of Sex" maintains a 3.8/5 rating from 2,500+ readers. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of intimate topics - Hand-drawn illustrations over photographs - Matter-of-fact tone without being clinical - Historical significance in destigmatizing sex discussion Common criticisms: - Dated gender roles and attitudes - Limited LGBTQ+ perspective - Focus on male pleasure over female - Some medical advice now considered inaccurate His fiction and poetry receive less attention, with most titles having under 50 ratings on Goodreads. His anarchist writings and social commentary books average 3.5/5 stars but have limited reviews. Amazon reviews for "The Joy of Sex" average 4.2/5 from 1,200+ reviewers. Many note buying it for historical interest rather than practical guidance. Several readers mention gifting it as a "conversation starter."

The Joy of Sex (1972) A comprehensive illustrated guide to human sexuality that combines medical accuracy with practical advice, featuring distinctive pencil drawings and detailed explanations of sexual practices.

More Joy of Sex (1973) A follow-up volume expanding on the original work with additional topics and techniques not covered in the first book.

Sexual Behavior in Society (1950) A scientific examination of human sexual behavior from sociological and biological perspectives.

Authority and Delinquency in the Modern State (1950) An analysis of state authority and its relationship to social deviancy and criminal behavior.

Darwin and the Naked Lady (1961) A collection of essays exploring the connections between art, science, and human sexuality.

The Biology of Senescence (1956) A scientific examination of the aging process and its biological mechanisms.

Come Out to Play (1961) A novel exploring themes of love, sexuality, and social conventions in post-war Britain.

I and That: Notes on the Biology of Religion (1979) An investigation into the biological and psychological foundations of religious experience.

Reality and Empathy (1966) A philosophical examination of physics and consciousness, exploring the relationship between scientific understanding and human experience.

Mary Calderone wrote extensively about sex education and sexual health in the mid-20th century as a physician and public health advocate. Her work "Questions and Answers about Love and Sex" approached intimate topics with medical accuracy and candor similar to Comfort's style.

Paul Goodman combined anarchist philosophy with writings on sexuality, education, and social criticism during the 1960s and 70s. His book "Growing Up Absurd" addressed similar themes of sexual liberation and social reform that appeared in Comfort's work.

Wilhelm Reich wrote influential works on sexuality and its connection to social and political movements in the early-to-mid 20th century. His research on sexual energy and its role in human behavior paralleled some of Comfort's scientific approaches to human sexuality.

Masters and Johnson produced groundbreaking research on human sexuality and sexual response through direct observation and clinical studies. Their work "Human Sexual Response" provided scientific foundations for understanding sexuality that complemented Comfort's more accessible writing style.

Alfred Kinsey conducted extensive research on human sexual behavior and published comprehensive studies in the 1940s and 50s. His systematic approach to studying human sexuality helped establish the scientific groundwork that later informed Comfort's work.