Review by Choice Review
The authors of these essays situate the modern origins of sexology/sexual science/sexuality studies (the terms are used more or less interchangeably) within a global rather than a narrowly Eurocentric or Euro-American context. Psychologists, physicians, sociologists, anthropologists, eugenicists, feminists, and Western-oriented nationalists worked in concert across national/colonial boundaries and often embraced sexology as part of a modernizing political agenda. The collection examines developments in southern Africa, Argentina, Chile, China, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Palestine, Spain, and elsewhere. Individual authors trace international networks of professionals who discuss such topics as homosexuality and heterosexuality, monogamy, vaginal as opposed to clitoral orgasm, the supposed sexual markers of criminal tendencies, the relevance of ancient erotic texts such as the Kama Sutra for modern sex education, and the relationship of sexual science to feminism, communism, Third World nationalism, and eugenics. Most authors stress the importance of in-country as well as global influences. However, this reviewer shares the disquiet alluded to by Howard Chiang in his afterword (pp. 444-50). In their efforts to highlight contributions to sexology by professionals outside Europe and North America, the authors have all too often paid little attention to the context of colonialism, imperialism, neocolonialism, and racism. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students/faculty/professionals. --Ann Hibner Koblitz, emerita, Arizona State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
