A Mind of its Own: A Cultural History of the Penis by David M. Friedman

 

Hello my lovely readers!

You ever read a book that is absolutely fascinating at the start and then begins to lose its way the longer you read it? That's what happened to me with A Mind of Its Own: A Cultural History of the Penisby David M. Friedman. Let's get into it.

SUMMARY
Whether enemy or ally, demon or god, the penis is much more than a body part. Here, in an enlightening and entertaining cultural study, is a book that puts into context the central role of the penis within Western civilization. Deified by ancient pagan cultures and demonized by the early Roman church, the penis was later secularized by pioneering anatomists such as Leonardo da Vinci. 

After being measured 'scientifically' in an effort to subjugate some races while elevating others, the organ was psycho-analyzed by Sigmund Freud. Now, after being politicized by feminism and exploited in countless ways by pop culture, Friedman shows how the arrival of erection industry products such as Viagra is more than a health or business story. It is the latest chapter in one of the longest sagas in human history: the story of man's relationship with his penis.

MY THOUGHTS
Yes, I found the first three chapters of this book absolutely fascinating. The history of the penis and how it relates to racism, religion, success and everything else in this book was beautiful. The first three chapters were entertaining and extremely informative.

However, the second half of the book dragged, in my opinion. It got real "science-y" real quickly and I'm NOT a science girl at all. Freud, Viagara, medical tests....those were all a big snooze to me in this book. 

Also, I think this book was in desperate need of an editor. Right off the bat, we jump right into Chapter 1 talking about demon rods and the Salem Witch Trials. There was on introduction, no epilogue, no conclusion, no nothing. The content in each chapter ran into each other as well. One moment we're talking about Freud and the next we're talking about pornography. It was confusing at times!

So I'm unsure as to whether or not I'm going to keep this on my shelf. It was again, a fascinating book in the first half, the second half....not so much.