Sexual Revolution in Early America

by Richard Godbeer

Book Overview

In 1695, John Miller, a clergyman traveling through New York, found it appalling that so many couples lived together without ever being married and that no one viewed "ante-nuptial fornication" as... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0801868009
• ISBN13: 9780801868009
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 3.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.3" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Unique and Surprising Look at Early American Life

The title's reference to a sexual revolution may be somewhat of a misnomer, but Godbeer provides exceptional insight into what Puritans thought, said and did sexually. Godbeer provides ample evidence to debunk the view of Puritans is the dour uptight anti-sexual stereotype, a view largely created in the 19th century by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Puritans explicitly rejected the "Papist" viewpoint that sex was evil and should only be done for procreation. Godbeer also explores Anglo-Indian sexual relations and post-revolutionary mores. Godbeer shows that the sexuality of early Americans was far more complex than the barren stereotypes suggest.