Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex
Encyclopedia
Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex was written by Mary Roach
in 2008. The book follows the winding history of science and its exploration of human sexuality, going back as far as Aristotle
and finally ending with recent discoveries about the origination and anatomy of the female orgasm
. Throughout, Mary Roach provides a humorous and often very personal view—both as a participant and observer—of humans, scientists, animals, and sex machines. Of the book's numerous accounts, Roach discusses artificial insemination
of sows in Denmark, the notorious history of sex machines, as well as much discussion and commentary on Kinsey
's notorious attic sex experiments. Her footnotes provide additional humor; as in a sentence which includes several DSM
diagnoses listed as acronyms she adds "And from HAFD (hyperactive acronym formation disorder)". In the book, Mary Roach
describes a session in which she and her husband Ed volunteer to have sex in a 20 inches (508 mm) MRI tube in the interests of science. During the experiment, a doctor looks on, making suggestions, and finally telling Ed that he "may ejaculate now."
Mary Roach
Mary Roach is a columnist and popular science writer. Raised in Etna, New Hampshire, she holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Wesleyan University and currently resides in Oakland, California...
in 2008. The book follows the winding history of science and its exploration of human sexuality, going back as far as Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
and finally ending with recent discoveries about the origination and anatomy of the female orgasm
Orgasm
Orgasm is the peak of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, characterized by an intense sensation of pleasure...
. Throughout, Mary Roach provides a humorous and often very personal view—both as a participant and observer—of humans, scientists, animals, and sex machines. Of the book's numerous accounts, Roach discusses artificial insemination
Artificial insemination
Artificial insemination, or AI, is the process by which sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of a female for the purpose of impregnating the female by using means other than sexual intercourse or natural insemination...
of sows in Denmark, the notorious history of sex machines, as well as much discussion and commentary on Kinsey
Alfred Kinsey
Alfred Charles Kinsey was an American biologist and professor of entomology and zoology, who in 1947 founded the Institute for Sex Research at Indiana University, now known as the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, as well as producing the Kinsey Reports and the Kinsey...
's notorious attic sex experiments. Her footnotes provide additional humor; as in a sentence which includes several DSM
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is published by the American Psychiatric Association and provides a common language and standard criteria for the classification of mental disorders...
diagnoses listed as acronyms she adds "And from HAFD (hyperactive acronym formation disorder)". In the book, Mary Roach
Mary Roach
Mary Roach is a columnist and popular science writer. Raised in Etna, New Hampshire, she holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Wesleyan University and currently resides in Oakland, California...
describes a session in which she and her husband Ed volunteer to have sex in a 20 inches (508 mm) MRI tube in the interests of science. During the experiment, a doctor looks on, making suggestions, and finally telling Ed that he "may ejaculate now."
External links
- New York Times review of Bonk by Pamela PaulPamela PaulPamela Paul is an American journalist, an editor of the New York Times Book Review, and the author of three books, The Starter Marriage and the Future of Matrimony , Pornified: How Pornography Is Transforming Our Lives, Our Relationships and our Families , and "Parenting, Inc.: How We Are Sold on...