Author(s): Esme Louise James

Self-Help

A fun, educational deep dive into the rich history of human sexuality and how we can harness this kinky history towards a more liberated present and future. 

This book draws on Esme Louise James's phenomenally successful Kinky History series on social media which focuses on the evolution of human sexuality, from scandalous stories from the ancient world to the saucy secrets of famous figures as well as the SexTistics series, created alongside Esme's mother Dr Susan James, a statistician, which provides a snapshot of sexuality, gender and identity in the contemporary world. 

By placing the past in conversation with the present, and by revisiting secret histories and folk tales, this book aims to blow open the conversation about sexuality and gender. In doing so, we debunk key cultural myths about sex; demystify sexual behaviours; and de-stigmatise readers in their own desires and identities. 

Each chapter is structured around one element of human sexuality, including- gender, identity and sexuality; relationships, roles and rules; freaks, fetishes and fairies; pornography, pamphlets and penises; and sex toys, sin and self-pleasure. 

The little-known, fascinating and funny stories included in each chapter will take us to many periods and places across history, creating a tangible snapshot of human sexuality through time. By refusing to let sex remain shrouded in secrecy and mystery, we take our power back.