Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?

By Jesse Bering

Book Overview

Why do testicles hang the way they do? Is there an adaptive function to the female orgasm? What does it feel like to want to kill yourself? Does "free will" really exist? And why is the penis shaped like that anyway?

In Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?, the research psychologist and award-winning columnist Jesse Bering features more than thirty of his most popular essays from Scientific American and Slate, as well as two new pieces, that take readers on a bold and captivating journey through some of the most taboo issues related to evolution and human behavior. Exploring the history of cannibalism, the neurology of people who are sexually attracted to animals, the evolution of human body fluids, the science of homosexuality, and serious questions about life and death, Bering astutely covers a generous expanse of our kaleidoscope of quirks and origins.

With his characteristic irreverence and trademark cheekiness, Bering leaves no topic unturned or curiosity unexamined, and he does it all with an audaciously original voice. Whether you're interested in the psychological history behind the many facets of sexual desire or the evolutionary patterns that have dictated our current mystique and phallic physique, Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That? is bound to create lively discussion and debate for years to come.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374532923
• ISBN13: 9780374532925
• Release Date: July 2012
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Fun but

Im just a philosopher, I don't know much when it comes to genetics, biology, or even psychology in serious, academic training ways. But there were some things Bering said that I felt just still weren't zoomed out enough or connected enough. Not many things, mind you, but a fair few that made me go, "eh, I think you might be missing something here". Which, considering this is a compilation of his essays and not a full blown, cohesive book, it makes sense that each segment wouldn't be this exhaustive conversation. While the narrative voice was dated as heck (it was written in 02 and the author really liked letting his humor shine), I did enjoy this book as an audiobook while doing my puzzles. I also have a friend whom I might get this book for as I think they would appreciate the scientific conversations about some of the topics, not limited to genetalia. My favorite essay was on green burials, but I am an ecology nerd who wants to one day work in death care so, of course. Mildly recommended for curious minds, I don't think there's anything else out there quite like it and if you can brave the frequent 90s pun filled humor, it's worth getting.