The Joy of Sex: The Ultimate Revised Edition

I received this book for a wedding present in 1979!! There were some illustrations. The "ultimate revised edition" part about this book are the illustrations and photos. I give this book for all my lingerie or bachelorette parties!!

Okay, the images are better than a previous version that I had read. Also, it's been reformatted to be an easier read. For example a title on the page, that is the main point of that page- so you can skip it if you're not interested. The text reads rather dryly. And, touches lightly on some points- then drops them. For a basic 'how to' manual it delivers. But, doesn't have a lot of creative ideas for the reader.

This is something that your library should not be missing. Updated graphics from the previous editions are welcome touches and are a very healthy aid to keep your love life alive; even when things seem like they can't get any better in that department!

If things are stale or non-existent, this must-have reference will be a welcome revitalization in any relationship, new or old.

I find this revised version focused on the woman's point of view. The man's needs are also discussed. The thick paper sdds substance to the book. The drawing and and pictures added senuality not pornography.
As an older person, I found it lacking in suggestions for couples with erectile dysfunction issues.
Overall a very sophisticated book that is easy to read.

The book is more graphic than expected. The artist who drew the diagrams clearly used the models in the photographs at the beginning of the book, which makes it a bit weird. The content is rather decent and informative, containing facts and interesting tid-bits. The revised edition tried to incorporate modern elements, but I think these are unnecessary and taint the book: preferences, fetishes, "relationship-friendly" pornography, fantasies, etc. All in all, a good buy, but I'd recommend the original version instead of this modified/revised version.

Almost trusted the concepts until they introduced toeing. I bought this to help my wife and I get comfortable with various techniques, but one we saw them advocate toeing, we were disgusted and dumped the book.

I bought the first edition and studied. It intensely. Having led a sheltered life, sexually, I soon found women commenting on where I learned such thnigs. Things they had never experienced before. I never had a woman who didn't ask for more, ever and refused to believe I had so little experience.

Touches on just about every sex question one could ask, but generally. If you are looking for a play by play how to manual, there are only a few such sections in this book. This is good because sex should be explored by the couple not dictated by an outside source. If you think something is weird, these authors will argue otherwise if it's consensual. The main point seemed to be that sex should be a form of adult play-time; should be fun, joyful, pleasurable for all; should have boundaries set only by the consenting adults within a relationship.

I was really excited to learn more about a healthy, satisfying sex life, with some ideas for new positions and acts to try. But as I began to read, I was disappointed to find that I already knew everything the book had to say. It discussed the nature of a sexual relationship, the role of intimacy in a sexual connection, becoming comfortable exploring and enjoying your partner's body.

These are all important things to know, but I already knew all of it, mostly from having various partners who treated me in a vast spectrum of ways--from the one who raped me to the ones with whom I made passionate love. I've had plenty of experiences that taught me a lot, but I still always want to know more.

This book did not help me learn more. However, even today, it's considered eye-opening and instructive in cultivating a healthy sex life. If that is the case, then it makes me truly sad to know that the vast majority of people have no idea what sex can really be, how to make it satisfying and a truly sublime or transcendent experience. It is a real shame.

Given that this is the case in our society, while I myself can only give it three stars, I do recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy sex more, but doesn't know where to start, and is too timid to talk about it.

Note: If you're interested in non-hetero sex, there's a separate book for that. Also, the book is aimed at white people in white, American culture. I think anyone would get something out of it, but cultural differences would absolutely make a difference in the helpfulness of this book.

"Recent Texts Show Neanderthal May Have Been Reproducing As Late as 1977, Scientists Say"
"An earlier version of a book was recently rediscovered, which apparently depicts humans no earlier than Australopithecus Afarensis copulating. Apparently primitive humans were still reproducing as late as the third quarter of the twentieth century."

I also read the original when it was still less than a decade old. I have to agree with a "Family Guy" episode in which Stewie reads it and recoils, saying, "Apparently the razor wasn't invented until the early eighties."

I can't be a Verified Purchase, because I didn't buy it on the store, because the store didn't exist then. But I did read it. (I try not to have too many PTSD flashbacks.)

I looked in vain for diversity in the illustrations. But in the original version, there was no diversity to be found. He didn't even show an *alternative* to hairy cavemen getting it on! Those who preferred people who had moved out of the caves into cities with houses and barbers were SOL. Not only was it not conducive to being turned on, it was not even conducive to keeping my lunch.

Fortunately for people with a modest modicum of grooming, this revision has both drawings and color photographs. The people depicted or photographed are attractive, well groomed, and have real houses with bathrooms equipped with stainless steel grooming tools.

For the regressive, unevolved, or atavistic types, the old book is still available. Can they read print now? That cave in France is off limits for grease-chalk drawings.

Better yet, many excellent books have come out since then. Good Vibrations had a good guide to toys. The best I have ever seen so far is Paul Joannides' Guide to Getting It On. It's excellently and compassionately written. And yay! The people in the illustrations look like they live in a time when grooming tools have been invented!

Almost trusted the concepts until they introduced toeing. I bought this to help my wife and I get comfortable with various techniques, but one we saw them advocate toeing, we were disgusted and dumped the book.