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A review by katykelly
Sex at Dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality by Cacilda Jetha, Christopher Ryan
4.0
Thought-provoking look at times near and far, at the subject from a distance and up close. Some new thoughts and familiar ones brought together to make a very readable volume.
I studied anthropology at university, and new thoughts in the 'sex and relationships' arena continue to interest me.
For those who have no background in the subject, it's eye-opening stuff. I certainly had a few new thoughts as I went along as well.
There was far less of the promised 'dawn' era of human relationships, as of course we have no written evidence from this time, and lots of clues or physical pointers that can give ideas and hypotheses, so really the title is not as accurate as you might wish for.
Saying that, looking at relationships and monogamy through various periods and in various cultures gives a broad scope anyway for how human brains and societies have evolved to become more monogamous (or otherwise).
This covered a wide arena of disciplines, including that of the human body itself, which to me was the most fascinating part (how our bodies may show that we were not ever really built for monogamy). It made me feel even more strongly that current Western ideals really do need a rethink and that discussions from adolescence onward about relationships and expectations need more prominence.
This was harder to listen to than many, as a non-fiction audiobook. This kind of text I find is easier to access on paper, as you sometimes need to re-read sections, which isn't easy when you are listening in the car. There may also have been diagrams and illustrations I missed unknowingly.
It was clear enough to listen to, but the wide areas of subjects covered might have been easier to follow with the eye and regular headings.
Rather fascinating, one for us all to think about.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
I studied anthropology at university, and new thoughts in the 'sex and relationships' arena continue to interest me.
For those who have no background in the subject, it's eye-opening stuff. I certainly had a few new thoughts as I went along as well.
There was far less of the promised 'dawn' era of human relationships, as of course we have no written evidence from this time, and lots of clues or physical pointers that can give ideas and hypotheses, so really the title is not as accurate as you might wish for.
Saying that, looking at relationships and monogamy through various periods and in various cultures gives a broad scope anyway for how human brains and societies have evolved to become more monogamous (or otherwise).
This covered a wide arena of disciplines, including that of the human body itself, which to me was the most fascinating part (how our bodies may show that we were not ever really built for monogamy). It made me feel even more strongly that current Western ideals really do need a rethink and that discussions from adolescence onward about relationships and expectations need more prominence.
This was harder to listen to than many, as a non-fiction audiobook. This kind of text I find is easier to access on paper, as you sometimes need to re-read sections, which isn't easy when you are listening in the car. There may also have been diagrams and illustrations I missed unknowingly.
It was clear enough to listen to, but the wide areas of subjects covered might have been easier to follow with the eye and regular headings.
Rather fascinating, one for us all to think about.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.