Description
Plays Well in Groups provides a historical and cultural history of group sex throughout the ages. From depictions in Paleolithic cave art to the Playboy mansion, Katherine Frank delves into the fields of sociology, biology, anthropology, and psychology to provide explanations for both, participation in group sex and the complex reactions to it-from fascination to fear. This book draws on survey research, ethnographic observation around the world, and interviews with participants to offer a cross-cultural look at the manifestations and meanings of group sex; who has it, and why. Group sex is by definition non-monogamous, although not all kinds of non-monogamy involve group sex. Having sex willingly in the presence of observers, or with multiple participants, crosses a line of social propriety in many societies. Links between ritual sex and spirituality have been found throughout history, and words like "bliss," "passion," and "ecstasy" can describe both spiritual and sexual highs. Although anthropologists have identified very few, if any, truly universal taboos, taboos, such as public displays of sexual behavior and multiple, consecutive partners, are still widespread. Frank aims to bring forth some general explanations for these taboos that are present in local and specific explorations of human activity.
About the Author
Katherine Frank is scholar-in-residence in the Department of Sociology at American University. She is the author of G-Strings and Sympathy and has been interviewed in publications ranging from The Washington Post to Cosmopolitan.
Reviews
Piled high with historical and anthropological detail on the orgy in human history, this book is a must read for scholars and laypersons alike who seek an understanding of group sex and its various manifestations. Artfully written and meticulously researched and documented, it is a fascinating journey into the historically and culturally layered meanings of group sex articulated by those who engage in it. -- Curt Bergstrand, Bellarmine University, co-author of Swinging in America
Fascinating and explores an important and overlooked aspect of human sexuality. -- Charles Moser, Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality
This is a well researched, delightful to read book. Dip into it anywhere and learn something new about the human capacity for the erotic as a zone for pleasure and a site for moral outrage. -- William Jankowiak, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Group sex has been many things in many cultures, and author Katherine Frank treats us to a fantastic journey through the history of the orgy, and its accompanying mythology about what it all means. This is not a how-to book, but I think readers both for, against, and undecided will find food for thought and lubrication for the imagination in these pages, and perhaps a little permission to set forth on their own explorations of how to Play Well in Groups. -- Dossie Easton, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; co-author of The Ethical Slut
It's fair to say that anyone reading her extensive examination of stories from classical times, tribal rites, wartime rapes, bachelor parties, the Playboy Mansion, virtual worlds, group sex clubs, and more, is going to learn a thing or two. The big lesson from all the facets of Frank's study . . . is that group sex is always transgressive. . . . That she has found so many aspects of her subject surely indicates that group sex is a big deal and worthy of serious academic attention; that many of the aspects are liable to exaggeration and sensationalism only further indicates the pull of the topic. . . . Frank's wide-ranging book takes in a lot of territory. . . . There's a great deal of research here with case studies and interviews, but there is also good humor and a healthy sense of wonder at how diverse and funny our species is. * The Dispatch (Lexington, NC) *
The author has tackled a multitude of taboos to help readers understand group sex, who has it, why they have it, and how it has solved over the years. Her use of sociology, biology, anthropology and psychology explain many fears, wonders, and worries behind group sex. Surveys, research, and interviews all add to Frank's truly interesting read. Regardless of whether you've had even the slightest interest in anything involving group sex, Plays Well in Groups will surely provoke thought and understanding of a world many of us will never step foot in. * Curve *
Plays Well in Groups: A Journey through the World of Group Sex by Katherine Frank is an excellently researched collection of narratives-histories, current events, media studies, ethnographic works, and participant interviews-analyzed through a sex-positive and unifying anthropological lens. Frank's task is drawing parallels between different forms and practices of group sex in general, while exploring deeper social, political, economic, and historical contexts in order to contrast them. Much of the book is about who has group sex and why, as well as who fears group sex and why. An overarching theme of the book is thus one that appealed to my interests: an emphasis on sexual taboo and transgression. . . . If you're interested in an anthropological survey of group sex across geographies, times, and fields of study, be sure to pick up Plays Well in Groups. The wide variety of topics and perspectives that are discussed in this book make it a perfect reading material for any undergraduate social science course on sexual behavior and politics or even gender studies. * Savage Minds *
Book Information
ISBN 9781442218697
Author Katherine Frank
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 617g
Dimensions(mm) 219mm * 149mm * 26mm
About the Author
Katherine Frank is scholar-in-residence in the Department of Sociology at American University. She is the author of G-Strings and Sympathy and has been interviewed in publications ranging from The Washington Post to Cosmopolitan.
Reviews
Piled high with historical and anthropological detail on the orgy in human history, this book is a must read for scholars and laypersons alike who seek an understanding of group sex and its various manifestations. Artfully written and meticulously researched and documented, it is a fascinating journey into the historically and culturally layered meanings of group sex articulated by those who engage in it. -- Curt Bergstrand, Bellarmine University, co-author of Swinging in America
Fascinating and explores an important and overlooked aspect of human sexuality. -- Charles Moser, Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality
This is a well researched, delightful to read book. Dip into it anywhere and learn something new about the human capacity for the erotic as a zone for pleasure and a site for moral outrage. -- William Jankowiak, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Group sex has been many things in many cultures, and author Katherine Frank treats us to a fantastic journey through the history of the orgy, and its accompanying mythology about what it all means. This is not a how-to book, but I think readers both for, against, and undecided will find food for thought and lubrication for the imagination in these pages, and perhaps a little permission to set forth on their own explorations of how to Play Well in Groups. -- Dossie Easton, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; co-author of The Ethical Slut
It's fair to say that anyone reading her extensive examination of stories from classical times, tribal rites, wartime rapes, bachelor parties, the Playboy Mansion, virtual worlds, group sex clubs, and more, is going to learn a thing or two. The big lesson from all the facets of Frank's study . . . is that group sex is always transgressive. . . . That she has found so many aspects of her subject surely indicates that group sex is a big deal and worthy of serious academic attention; that many of the aspects are liable to exaggeration and sensationalism only further indicates the pull of the topic. . . . Frank's wide-ranging book takes in a lot of territory. . . . There's a great deal of research here with case studies and interviews, but there is also good humor and a healthy sense of wonder at how diverse and funny our species is. * The Dispatch (Lexington, NC) *
The author has tackled a multitude of taboos to help readers understand group sex, who has it, why they have it, and how it has solved over the years. Her use of sociology, biology, anthropology and psychology explain many fears, wonders, and worries behind group sex. Surveys, research, and interviews all add to Frank's truly interesting read. Regardless of whether you've had even the slightest interest in anything involving group sex, Plays Well in Groups will surely provoke thought and understanding of a world many of us will never step foot in. * Curve *
Plays Well in Groups: A Journey through the World of Group Sex by Katherine Frank is an excellently researched collection of narratives-histories, current events, media studies, ethnographic works, and participant interviews-analyzed through a sex-positive and unifying anthropological lens. Frank's task is drawing parallels between different forms and practices of group sex in general, while exploring deeper social, political, economic, and historical contexts in order to contrast them. Much of the book is about who has group sex and why, as well as who fears group sex and why. An overarching theme of the book is thus one that appealed to my interests: an emphasis on sexual taboo and transgression. . . . If you're interested in an anthropological survey of group sex across geographies, times, and fields of study, be sure to pick up Plays Well in Groups. The wide variety of topics and perspectives that are discussed in this book make it a perfect reading material for any undergraduate social science course on sexual behavior and politics or even gender studies. * Savage Minds *
Book Information
ISBN 9781442218697
Author Katherine Frank
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Weight(grams) 617g
Dimensions(mm) 219mm * 149mm * 26mm
