The Origins of Sex: A History of the First Sexual Revolution

The Origins of Sex charts the transformation of sexual attitudes and behavior in Western society between 1600-1800. This history explores how religious and social views of sexuality shifted dramatically during the Enlightenment period. Dabhoiwala examines changes in prostitution, marriage, adultery, and sexual freedom through extensive research of court records, newspapers, literature, and personal accounts. The narrative follows both famous figures and ordinary citizens as new ideas about morality and individual liberty emerged in England and spread across Europe. This work demonstrates how modern assumptions about sex, gender roles, and personal relationships took shape during a pivotal historical period. The lessons from this sexual revolution continue to influence contemporary debates about sexual ethics, privacy, and human rights.

Readers note the book provides extensive research and documentation of changing sexual attitudes in England from 1600-1800, particularly around courtship, marriage, and prostitution. Positives: - Clear explanation of how modern sexual morality emerged - Rich historical details and primary sources - Strong focus on both social and legal changes - Makes complex academic content accessible Negatives: - Repetitive in places - Too much focus on London vs rest of England - Some readers found the academic tone dry - Limited coverage of lower social classes A common criticism is that the book promises more breadth than it delivers. As one Amazon reviewer notes: "Expected more about Europe but it's mainly focused on England." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (384 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (62 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (23 ratings) Most readers recommend it for those interested in social history rather than casual readers seeking a light overview of historical sexuality.

A History of Private Life: From Pagan Rome to Byzantium by Philippe Ariès, Georges Duby This volume examines the evolution of intimate behaviors, family structures, and sexual attitudes from ancient Rome through medieval Europe.

Sex in History by Reay Tannahill The text traces human sexuality from prehistoric times through the 20th century, covering customs, beliefs, and practices across cultures and civilizations.

Marriage, a History by Stephanie Coontz This work chronicles the transformation of marriage from a business arrangement to a personal relationship based on love, tracking changes in courtship, romance, and partnership.

The Bourgeois Experience: Victoria to Freud, Volume 1: Education of the Senses by Peter Gay The book explores Victorian sexuality, morality, and social codes through extensive primary source research and psychological analysis.

Making Sex: Body and Gender from the Greeks to Freud by Thomas Laqueur The text analyzes how medical and scientific understanding of sexual difference evolved from ancient Greece through modern times, shaping cultural attitudes toward gender and sexuality.

🔎 Prior to writing this groundbreaking work, author Faramerz Dabhoiwala spent 20 years researching historical documents about sexuality in Britain's libraries and archives 📚 The book focuses on a dramatic shift in sexual attitudes that occurred in 18th century England, when society moved from strictly punishing extramarital sex to a more permissive approach 👥 During the period covered in the book, London's population grew from about 200,000 to nearly one million people, significantly impacting social attitudes and sexual behavior ⚖️ Before 1700, both men and women could be publicly whipped or imprisoned for having sex outside of marriage - the book documents how and why this practice largely disappeared 🎨 The author analyzes diverse historical sources including court records, newspapers, paintings, novels, and personal diaries to piece together changing attitudes toward sex and morality