An “enticing . . . elegant and stylish” biography of the ancient Hindu manuscript that became the world’s most famous sex manual (The New York Review of Books)

The Kamasutra is one of the world’s best-known yet least understood texts, its title instantly familiar but its contents widely misconstrued as a how-to guide of acrobatic sexual techniques. Yet the book began its life in third-century India as something quite different: a vision of a life of urbane sophistication, with advice on matters from friendship to household decoration. Celebrated, then neglected, the Kamasutra was very nearly lost—until an outrageous adventurer brought it to the West, earning literary immortality.

In lively, lucid prose, James McConnachie provides a rare look at the exquisite civilization that produced this cultural cornerstone. He details the quest of explorer Richard Burton, who—with his coterie of libertines—unleashed the Kamasutra on Victorian society as a slap at its prudishness. And he describes the Kamasutra’s exile to the pornographic underground, until the end of the Lady Chatterley obscenity ban thrust it once more into contentious daylight.

The first work to tell the full story of the Kamasutra, The Book of Love explores how a way of looking at the world came to be cradled between book covers—and survived.

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"The Rough Guide to Nepal" is the ultimate travel guide with clear maps and detailed coverage of all the best attractions Nepal has to offer. Discover the vibrant regions of Nepal from the easternmost tea hills of Ilam to the wildlife-rich jungle of the far west, and from the high Himalayas to the Kathmandu Valley. Fully updated and reshaped after the country's recent change in government, "The Rough Guide to Nepal" contains in-depth accounts of all Nepal's highlights from Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas to wildlife reserves and spectacular mountain viewpoints in Nepal. Colour sections explore Nepal's ethnic hill people and dramatic mountain trails whilst expert accounts offer an introduction to the history, culture and natural life of this exciting and resurgent country. Find detailed practical advice on what to see and do in Nepal whilst relying on up-to-date descriptions of the best hotels in Nepal, bars in Nepal and restaurants in Nepal for every budget. "This Rough Guide to Nepal" includes an extensive section on trekking with practical advice and maps on the best places to trek, raft and mountain bike. Make the most of your holiday with "The Rough Guide to Nepal"....

Sex: The World's Favorite Pastime Fully Revealed discusses in lively narrative the history and psychology of sex, telling its story throughout the millennia. Scientific information on the laws of attraction and how hormones, pheromones, and evolution have influenced human sexuality is complemented by practical information on contraception, health, and extensive hands-on how-to advice. The book takes an international view, exploring sex rights around the world, the sex business, and religion. Illustrated throughout in two colors, this title is peppered with sidebars about fantasy, beer goggle sex, transvestism, St. Teresa of Avila, faking it , Kosher sex, Viagra, and much more.

Complete with illustrations, diagrams, graphic novel-style cartoons and quotes. Sex offers real knowledge and understanding of the subject, and is not limited to the anatomy lessons of health class or naughty sex tips purveyed by the sexperts. With the hope that sex will be seen as an integral part of every well-rounded individual s life, the book shows that being skilled at sex is crucial to being a whole person and that we must be educated about sex like we are about everything else that s important and wonderful about life.

Table of Contents:

1. Laws of attraction (love and desire; attraction; sexuality)
2. Bodies (his; hers; adornment and modification; sex and gender)
3. How to do it (touching and kissing; masturbation; oral sex; intercourse; anal sex; toys)
4. Orgasm (what, where, how and why; orgasm described; clitoris versus vagina; improving orgasm; orgasm and health)
5. Sex/Life (infancy; puberty; menstruation; virginity; coming out; procreation; parenthood; sex and ageing)
6. Contraception (condoms; from the Pill to the Patch; diaphragms etc.; IUDs; sterilization; abortion)
7. Sexual health (infections and parasites; HIV and AIDS; dysfunctions and disorders)
8. Sex and religion (holy sex; sex cults; sex gods and goddesses; regulating desire)
9. Sex and society (rights and repression; sexual violence; taboos and fetishes; sex as work; erotica and porn; guides and gurus)
10. Resources (further reading and websites)...