Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask) was published in 1969 and became an immediate bestseller, selling millions of copies worldwide. Dr. David Reuben presents medical and scientific information about human sexuality in a question-and-answer format. The book covers topics from basic anatomy to relationships, addressing common queries about sexual health, behavior, and reproduction. Each chapter focuses on specific aspects of sexuality, with Reuben responding to questions using medical knowledge available at the time of publication. The text includes discussions of marriage, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, and psychological aspects of intimacy. Reuben incorporates case studies and examples to illustrate medical concepts for general readers. The book represents a significant moment in publishing history when frank discussions of sexuality began entering mainstream discourse. While some of its information and social views reflect its era, the work helped establish a template for subsequent sex education literature.

Readers found this 1969 sex manual both revolutionary and problematic. Many appreciate its frank, humorous approach to sex education during a time when such topics were taboo. The Q&A format made complex medical information accessible to average readers. Liked: - Clear explanations of anatomy and sexual health - Conversational writing style - Coverage of previously unmentioned topics - Helpful for teens and young adults learning about sex Disliked: - Outdated medical information and social views - Biases against LGBTQ+ people - Perpetuation of gender stereotypes - Some inaccurate or misleading claims On Goodreads: 3.6/5 from 2,300+ ratings "Revolutionary for its time but hasn't aged well" - common sentiment "The humor helps make uncomfortable topics approachable" - multiple reviewers On Amazon: 4/5 from 200+ ratings "Changed how Americans talk about sex" - reader review "Important historical document but not medically reliable today" - reviewer comment

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Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan The book examines human sexuality through anthropological, historical, and biological perspectives to explain modern relationship patterns.

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The Joy of Sex by Alex Comfort The illustrated manual covers human sexual behavior and techniques with medical accuracy and anatomical detail.

🔸 Published in 1969, the book spent 51 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list and has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide in over 54 languages. 🔸 Woody Allen's 1972 film of the same name was very loosely based on the book, using only chapter titles as inspiration for a series of comedy sketches about sex. 🔸 Dr. David Reuben wrote the book after noticing that many of his patients were too embarrassed to ask basic questions about sex, despite being well-educated professionals. 🔸 The book's frank discussion of previously taboo topics like homosexuality, masturbation, and sexual dysfunction helped spark the sexual revolution of the 1970s. 🔸 Though groundbreaking for its time, the book has been criticized for its outdated views, particularly regarding homosexuality and women's sexuality, leading Reuben to revise some content in later editions.