A Libertine Booklist 2

A couple of years ago, I posted a Libertine Book List. I've read many more pertinent books since that time, so I thought I'd update and add to the list.

Sperm Wars: Infidelity, Sexual Conflict, and Other Bedroom Battles by Robin Baker (2006)

A book that refutes old assumptions about sexuality. For instance, ten percent of women's babies are conceived in infidelity, less than one percent of a man's sperm is capable of impregnating a woman -- the rest is there to fight off other men's sperm, vaginal mucus encourages some sperm but blocks others, and a woman is more likely to conceive through infidelity than with her regular partner. Written in a matter-of-fact, objective, and non-judgmental style.

America's War on Sex: The Attack on Law, Lust, and Liberty by Marty Klein, PhD (2006)

An analysis of our sexually repressed culture by a certified sex therapist, with an focus on how the religious right and other sex-negative forces are attempting to limit the sexual expression of consenting adults. A must for those who believe that civil rights include the right of consenting adults to freely conduct their private sex lives however they wish without government regulation or interference. Read my review of this book (23 October 2006 for more information),

The Principled Libertine: The Ethical Case for Sexual and Erotic Freedom by Desmond Ravenstone (2006)

A short self-published book by a libertine who espouses attitudes very similar to my own about the expression of sexuality. The author proposes a challenging alternative: that sex should be viewed just like any other activity, and that respecting diversity and choice is more ethical than imposing a narrow set of rules. The book is somewhat unpolished and incomplete, but this does not mar the book's value nor detract from the good ideas expressed.

Love the Sin: Sexual Regulation and the Limits of Religious Tolerance by Janet Jakobsen and Ann Pelligrini (2004)

This book tackles the issue of sexual freedom from the interesting perspective of comparing the freedom of sexual expression to that of religious freedom. Read my review of this book (12 June 2006) for more information about this book.

Casanova's Women: The Great Seducer and the Women He Loved by Judith Summers (2006)

A look at the life of this famous libertine from the perspective of his many lovers.

Intimate Matters: A History of Sexuality in America by John D'Emilio and Esther Freedman (1988)

The title is pretty much self-explanatory. An interesting look at how attitudes toward sex have changed during the course of our nation's history.

Marriage: Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel (2006)

The author acknowledges that monogamy is "a ship sinking faster than anyone can bail it out." Instead of demanding that married couples simply try harder to be monogamous, she accept reality and takes the position that a successful marriage doesn't necessarily have to be strictly monogamous.