I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain by Mike Rendell is a look at sex, the sex trade, and attitudes about sex in the 1700s in Britain. It starts off with presenting the prevalence of prostitution, particularly in London, and defines the strata of prostitutes from the lowliest “bunters” and “bulk mongers” to the highest and priciest courtesans. Mini-biographies of the best known courtesans are given. There is also a nod to the rampant gonorrhea and syphilis during these times. The book provides anecdotes to show how people had sex (primarily how the rich and titled did), how they dealt with unwanted pregnancy and with infertility, and how women and the poor were exploited. There are chapters on homosexuality, flagellation, and the emergence of art and literature focused on sex.

In short, the book delivers on what the title indicates it will be about. There are interesting facts and anecdotes in the text. But, although it was organized into chapters, it read as a string of material that didn’t hold together particularly well. There was not enough historical context to explain why any of it was particular to Georgian Britain. There was no thoughtful analysis of the information. In the end, I felt as though I had just read a long list.

My thanks to Pen & Sword History for granting my wish for a digital review copy via NetGalley of ‘Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain’ by Mike Rendell in exchange for an honest review.

Mike Rendell has written a number of nonfiction works about the history of Britain during the Georgian period covering the reigns of Georges I-IV. Here he examines the prevailing attitudes towards male and female sexual behaviour. As in other eras there was clearly one rule for the rich, those in positions of power and authority, and another for the poor and working class.

He considers the various social factors that had ushered in a more permissive society including significant changes in religion and its observances.

Rendell draws on a wide variety of primary sources including first hand accounts, such as Casanova’s famous memoir, along with examples from the media, contemporary literature, legal records, art, fashion, politics, medicine, food, religion and superstition.

The book includes many illustrations from the period and the main text is followed by an extensive bibliography including online resources, accreditation for the illustrations and plates, and an index. I will note that some of the material and illustrations were quite explicit, which might offend some readers’ sensibilities. Still, the title should provide fair warning.

I have recently read a number of works of historical fiction set in the Georgian period and it was fascinating to read an overview of this intimate aspect of Georgian society.

This was a well-researched and well-written historical look at sex and sexuality in Georgian Britain. A time where sex and sexuality became part of everyday conversation (or comic illustrations), Rendell uses newspapers, diaries, court records, and more to explore the disparities between how the rich and the poor, men and women, were treated when it came to sex. What could people get away with? What was becoming more common? What was changing? For a good nightmare inducer, be sure to read the section on the medical profession and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases just before going to bed (or eating). It's shocking to think that the British medical profession really hadn't developed past the ancient Greeks. "Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain" is well organized into interesting chapters and is a must read for anyone interested in the time period.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This would make a good introductory text for anyone who's got a general interest in these topics, though it doesn't shy away from the darker side of all the issues involved - in general, there's one rule for the rich and one for the poor at this point in time, as well as wildly differing social mores for men and women (so no surprises there!).

Covering such topics as menstruation, rape and abortion, as well as a brief foray into homosexuality and the way it was viewed at the time, this book won't particularly tell you anything new if, like me, you're someone who's pretty widely read in either the history of the period or how sex and sexuality were viewed.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

"There was a law for the rich, and there was a law for the poor. There was a law for men, and there was another law for women."
This book explores Georgian Britain's attitudes to sex and sexuality, and gives an overview of a wide variety of topics: rape, homosexuality, contraceptives, STDs and prostitution, to name a few.
It is well-researched and structured, and surprisingly accessible. I also appreciated the incorporation of life in Georgian Britain further than sex and sexuality, including politics, medicine and literature. Throughout, there is also commentary on gender and sexism. Each chapter provided many stories, which felt like too much detail at times, but gave a human element to the topics. Overall, it was a fairly interesting read and introduction to Georgian Britain.

Content warnings: rape, paedophilia, sexism, homophobia

I loved reading this book and I hope to read more books from this author and subjects like this in the future. The author did a good job.

Content warning: This book contains frank discussion about sex and sexuality including discussion about rape, sexually transmitted diseases, prostitution, homophobia, sexism, and other sensitive subjects. I mean it's in the title. But this book does not shy away from these subjects, reader discretion is advised.

This book goes into what it says on the tin. It's a humorous look at sex and sexuality in mostly the 18th century but also the early 19th century. It covers the terminology of the time as well as several of the major players. It goes into what was known and still unknown in the so-called "Age of Reason." The author has a very fun voice and I enjoyed most of the asides and the little bits of humor that slipped into the text -- like one pithy remark about how according to the Bishop of London masturbation is what caused the two earthquakes it experienced.. and not... oh... plate tectonics.

I learned a lot and it's clear that the author knows his stuff and is sympathetic to the women who were often screwed over by society -- especially if they were poor. I really liked how the author treated those who were infected by sexually transmitted diseases, doing his best to destigmatize them as well as be understanding to the circumstances that led women of all walks of life to prostitution. It is a book that doesn't flinch away from the horrors of the time -- including the fact that for much of the era the age of consent for women was twelve.

Unfortunately, the book makes a major misstep when it deals with in its words "cross-dressing" and "transvestism.." That section, unfortunately, uses some very transphobic language and doesn't respect James Barry's insistence in life -- even going so far as to direct how his remains should be handled post-mortem -- that he be referred to as a man. He lived his life as a man and what is included in this book minimizes that... nor does it touch upon James Barry's achievements (which included the first-known successful C-sections where both the mother and child survived (Which should be included in a book on sex and sexuality) -- only the sensationalism of what was discovered when his final wishes were not adhered to and his birth genetalia revealed. Even the brief look at the Chevalier d'Eon -- a diplomat, soldier, and spy -- focused more on their genitalia (and the fact that they were likely intersex) than the fact that the Chevalier chose to live as man for almost fifty years and as a woman for over thirty, nor did it dive into any of their other accomplishments .

It was a major misstep in what was otherwise a well-researched, well-laid out, and engaging read. If that section (literally about 10 pages of the book) were handled better this would be getting five stars from me.

As it is, for this transphobic misstep I can only in good conscience give this:

Three stars

I received an ARC via NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher for letting me read this book.

this was a really entertaining read, i enjoyed learning about a point in history that i didn't know much about. I look forward to reading more from the author.

I will not be reviewing this one on my blog, it's just not a good fit for my blog audience. But. I wanted to share a few thoughts about the book since I did read it.

First, you should know that I am at heart--for better or worse, right or wrong--a Victorian. I knew requesting this for review that it would likely not be my cup of tea.

So why did I request it? Because I was an English major who took two or three classes--upper undergraduate and graduate level--about this time period in England. I've studied plays, poetry, novels, etc. I was somewhat familiar with some of the key players. I thought this would be interesting for providing some background and context for understanding and appreciating the literature. Plus, I enjoy reading historical fiction set in the Georgian period. Plus, I love reading about the royal family.

There were chapters that were packed with information and provided context to the times. The chapters I appreciated most were the ones that focused on other subjects as well. Science and medicine. (What did doctors actually know--or more likely THINK they knew about the human body, how it works and functions, how life is conceived and developed. For example, there was a camp who thought that everything needed for human life was in the sperm--the woman was just an incubator not contributing anything; there was another that thought the man was unnecessary and that a woman didn't even need a man in order to get pregnant. What they DIDN'T actually know but thought they did could fill volumes.) Politics and government. The Royals. Celebrities and fashion. The court system. Society and culture. Literature. Arts. Theatre.

The chapters I appreciated least--or not at all when it comes down to it--were the chapters on sex and nothing but sex. Of course, other readers may be fascinated with this "tell all" kind of book driven by quotes from primary sources that reveal the secret-and-not-so-secret life of Londoners. But not me. Nope. Not ever gonna be me.

The chapters that were the most outrageous and horrid were those that highlighted CHILDREN. The age of consent was twelve. But it wasn't unusual for younger children to be in the sex trade--either by force or forced circumstances. The book shared examples of court cases where a man was being charged with rape--the child being six, seven, eight, etc. But often nothing would come of such a case because no one under the age of ten was allowed to take an oath and testify. And the court obviously didn't think the child having a sexually transmitted disease was proof enough. Even when the rape cases didn't involve children, it was still frustrating to read about the injustice. If you knew the right people, you could get away with anything and everything.

So much of the book falls into the "overshare" category. I didn't need/want to know most of what was in this one. The book is not deceitful in its title OR description. So it's not like readers are being tricked or deceived into reading this book.

I loved this. It was fascinating and I learned so much. Well definitely be buying the book to keep it in my collection.

I found this like the others in this series, interesting, funny, accessible and detailed. The writing was great and i liked how this presented. This is well worth a read.

What an interesting read! I very much enjoyed this book as it guides me through the Georgian England and makes me question the historical aspect of today’s hypocrisy when it comes to moral and sexuality. I find the mistresses of that time quite interesting as they became famous and made an impact in the city in terms of fashion, popularity and gossip. The lack of medical information and the presence of misinformation when it comes to the female body is beyond pathetic but again very eye-opening. Georgian era did pave the path to today’s society. After finishing this book, I feel very informed without getting bored. I will definitely check out what the author has to offer next.

This is an easy and a very informative way of approaching the subject of sex and sexuality in 1700s Britain. The book is divided in several different chapters all about a certain aspect of sex/sexuality which gives an easy-to-follow overview. The chapters are not terribly long either with helps holding my interest, at least. Rendell also includes various illustations from the time period which further helps the reader visualise how a 1700-person percieved sex/sexuality.

It's interesting to note how some things has stayed the same over the last 300+ years but also how much has changed in the general view of these topics. Some things - of course - have changed for the better. - for example the view on female sexuality. Sex and sexuality has a big part of humane life, and having a book to exploring how the history of sex, if you will, has progressed is so very interesting to me.

I really enjoyed reading this book - and was appalled at some things (in a good way I think, shows us that some things change for the better) - and would really much enjoy reading the author's other books on the subject!

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

Quite a short read so didn't take me long to read
So well researched - it was fascinating
Great illustrations

If you are interested in social history - this is a great read

I thought this was a great educational but fun read. It was interesting without being immature. It seemed to be well researched. If you were a fan of books like 'Dead Famous', 'Curious History of Sex' or 'City of Sin: London and its Vices', you should really enjoy this book.

Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain is a short but informative text covering all aspects of sex and sexuality in the eighteenth century. It is nicely illustrated and well presented, with easy-to-read prose and a good balance of humour and detail. If, like me, you've read other texts on the Georgian period and sexuality in that era, most, if not all, of these tales and snippets of information will already be known to you. However, if you are new to the topic, this book provides an excellent place to start to get a good introductory overview of the subject.

<i>Note: This book was provided at not cost by NetGalley, where this review has been posted.</I>

The Georgian era, which extends from King George I to George IV and even includes William IV, means roughly the 18th and very early 19th century. It follows a rather prudish period and precedes a another rather prudish one called the Victorian era. As such, it is extremely interesting to investigate how sex and sexuality were experienced in that short lapse of time, something this book sets out to describe. And I daresay, it turns out to be an extremely interesting read. No unhealthy voyeurism, no unwholesome exhibitionism or sensationalism in here, but facts, statistics, quotes, excerpts from contemporary letters, newspaper articles, travel descriptions, and so on.

The author has a perfect sense of how to “cut” his topic into small, easily digestible chapters, the main subjects of which range from prostitution to sex toys, from homosexuality to contraception, from abortion to VDs. Furthermore, the author knows how to write (agreeably, I might want to add) and how to entertain his writers whilst presenting historical data; there are even countless passages where his wry and subtle humour shone through, making me giggle while reading. In one word, a pleasant and instructive book which puts all things sexual and sex-related into the easily understandable historical perspective of that remarkable period.

This book is an absolute treasure, full of little known information about the sexual habits of the Georgian period, and the hypocrisy of the time in regard to women. I shall consult it often as a reference book, but I also enjoyed reading it. Thank you to the publishers and to netgalley for giving me sn advanced reading copy, it did not influence my decision in the slightest to recommend the book wholeheartedly.

This may be on of my favorite history books ever! Sex and Sexuality in Georgian Britain, had me from the word sooterkins, yes it is an actual word. Lol I was so throughly entertained by this book and astonished by all the absurd thoughts people had about sex in the past. Even though 2020 has been an interesting year, I would take living in this age then living back in the day. Although I really wish it were true that my menstrual blood had magical powers such as controlling the weather and make knifes dull. It would make shark week even more interesting. Don’t let this book scare you because it’s a “history” book, because you will miss out on so much.