How Sex Works

March 2, 2009
Birds do it, bees do it, but why do humans do it? In this wide-ranging look at the evolutionary reasons for sex, physiologist and evolutionary biologist Moalem says that it's all about shuffling the gene pool and getting rid of any unwelcome guests, such as viruses, that may have latched onto human DNA. But why is one particular person attracted to another? Moalem relays the latest research showing that smell plays a very important role in attraction, and that even our genes may influence one's smell, and thus a person's desirability, to others. Scientists have found that women tend to be attracted to different types of men at different points in their ovulation cycles (dark and handsome hunks at their height; sensitive, care-giving types at other times). Moalem (Survival of the Sickest
) whizzes through his discussion of homosexuality, neglecting angles that would have added to the book, but readers will find thought-provoking material in his chapter on differences in sexual anatomy and on how chromosomes and body parts aren't always what we expect them to be. Moalem writes fluidly for the general reader, and when he necessarily goes into graphic detail, he does it gracefully.

March 1, 2009
Moalem ("Survival of the Sickest") writes, "We're here to explore human sexuality from beginning to endwhat we like and why we like it; how it makes us feel; how it can go wrong; and how human intervention, through cultural traditions, scientific discovery, or both, can divert nature's pathacross history, geography, culture, gender, and orientation]how sex works." It's not surprising that the book, while jam-packed with interesting factoids, fails to live up to this grandiose ambition. Chapters cover puberty, factors in attraction and arousal, sexually transmitted diseases, and birth control. Emphasis is placed on the oddest or least-known phenomena; much of the chapter on arousal, for example, is taken up with a discussion of female ejaculation, which isn't a huge part of the process for most people. While the book certainly fails on its self-stated terms, it is a pleasant read based on solid research, and it's probably more fun for being more like "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" than a comprehensive study. Recommended for most public libraries.Mary Ann Hughes, formerly with Neill P.L., Pullman, WA

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2009
Moalem (Survival of the Sickest, 2007) explores the social human from a sexual perspective, concluding that the evolution of sexuality can teach us a lot about behavior.

From the earliest records of copulation to the latest medical research, the author examines every aspect of sex and relates it to our bodies' innate desire to procreate. He spares no subject. Menstruation, fertility, penis size, orgasm, ejaculation and contraception all prove to be physiological sidebars to the evolutionary edict"survival of the fittest," which the author equates with finding a healthy, virile partner and a secure, loving environment for childrearing. Factors influencing sexual attraction include pheremones, genetic makeup, immune system compatability and even ovulation. Of course, physical appearance also plays a role, but our perception of"good looks" is often shaped by a subconscious agenda. That"tall, dark and handsome" man has more pigment, which means lower folate levels, which indicate healthier sperm. The author argues that even homosexuality could be explained developmentally based on the type and amount of certain hormones present in the womb. Many species engage in homosexual activity for pleasure, he notes, suggesting that same-sex coupling may prove to be yet another piece of the evolutionary puzzle. Some of the theories Moalem presents are controversial, but all are provocative and entertaining, and he is careful to include cultural context when addressing sensitive issues like circumcision or STDs. The result is a volume stuffed with information that avoids getting bogged down in difficult medical terms or complex biological concepts.

An accessible presentation of sex not just as a necessary means to protect our species, but also a vital part of a culture structured around love and pleasure.

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