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The Sexual History of London
The Sexual History of London: From Roman Londinium to the Swinging City---Lust, Vice, and Desire Across the Ages | Catharine Arnold
4 posts | 1 read | 44 to read
If Paris is the city of love, then London is the city of lust. From the bath houses of Roman Londinium to the sexual underground of the twentieth century and beyond, this is an entertaining, vibrant chronicle of London and sex through the ages. For more than a thousand years, England's capital has been associated with desire, avarice, and the sins of the flesh. Richard of Devises, a monk writing in 1180, warned that "every quarter abounds in great obscenities." As early as the second century AD, London was notorious for its raucous festivities and disorderly houses, and throughout the centuries the bawdy side of life has taken easy root and flourished. In The Sexual History of London, award-winning popular historian Catharine Arnold turns her gaze to London's relationship with vice through the ages. London has always traded in the currency of sex. Whether pornographic publishers on Fleet Street, or courtesans parading in Haymarket, its streets have long been witness to colorful sexual behavior. In an accessible, entertaining style, Arnold takes us on a journey through the fleshpots of London from earliest times to present day. Here are buxom strumpets, louche aristocrats, popinjay politicians, and Victorian flagellants--all vying for their place in London's league of licentiousness. From sexual exuberance to moral panic, the city has seen the pendulum swing from Puritanism to hedonism and back again. With latter chapters looking at Victorian London and the sexual underground of the twentieth century and beyond, this is a fascinating and vibrant chronicle of London at its most raw and ribald.
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EloisaJames
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Is there any better place to read about the racy practices of Londoners than a Caribbean island? Who knew that Roman Londoners had big parades led by enormous phallises, ending in public orgies? I have to find some way to put Clarice la Claterballock and Alice Strumpette (memorable medieval businesswomen) in a book! #london. #sex. #prostitution. #Goodtoknow.

Jess_Read_This This does look like an interesting read! 8y
MrBook Huh. Added! 😊 8y
mjdowens I have this one and live it. Have not read the entire book yet, but what I have read is informative and kind of funny 8y
See All 10 Comments
EloisaJames @mjdowens I like her style--informative but not an information dump. 8y
Joriebooks Added! That water😍😍😍 8y
MarriedtoMrT That view! That water! That sand! 😍 Enjoy. 8y
julesG What does it say about me that I knew about the Romans and their parades and orgies? Should I go into hiding now? 8y
balletbookworm I must acquire this!! 8y
moranadatter Wow! Have a wonderful time! 8y
LeeRHarry That looks like a perfect spot for enjoying a good book 😊 8y
146 likes17 stack adds10 comments
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mjdowens
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Not my normal genre, but saw a blurb about it on my twitter and was just curious enough to buy the ebook. So far, it has some very good history, even though it is a little cringe worthy😳

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EloisaJames
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I just added this to my xmas list because I've written 25 romances, give or take a few. Counting 2.5 sex scenes each (give or take), I could definitely use a refresher in lust through the ages 😍Thanks to @LectricSheep for posting book!

Notafraidofwords This sounds so intriguing. 8y
125 likes15 stack adds1 comment
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LectricSheep
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England is just one big island, right? 🙃#TBR #setonanisland #SeasonsReadings2016

EloisaJames I want this!! 8y
61 likes6 stack adds1 comment