The Sexual History of London : From Roman Londinium to the Swinging City---Lust, Vice, and Desire Across the Ages (Hardcover)

from Fledgist

This is really a history of prostitution in London, from Roman times to the early twenty-first century. There are excursions into literary history, and into homosexuality, but the main focus is on the prostitutes and their clients. This is a good, sound account. Well-told, well -researched.

from VersionPerson

The title is slightly misleading ('sins' like drinking gambling aren't mentioned). This is actually mostly just a history of prostitution in London with occasional mentions of sex scandals and pornography. The writing is fine, to the point, and the 300 or so pages are quickly and enjoyably read. ...

from Magus_Manders

In The Sexual History of London, Catherine Arnold gives the reader an amusing summary of London's very long list of amorous credentials. The book mostly focuses on prostitution, as the profession has prompted some of the best records of and reactions to sexuality. No new ground is really covered,...

from sscarllet

I very much enjoyed this book. Arnold did thorough research and didn't get 'stuck' in just one time period, giving me a really good overview of the past few thousand years. I loved that she used stories whenever possible. This really helped me to connect to the working women and understand their ...

from Fullmoonblue

A highly readable survey, more suitable for entertainment than scholarly purposes, but peppered with interesting vignettes, mini-biographies, fun facts and trivia. Stories of the escapades of the elite (including nobility, top courtesans and their powerful partners) were matched by descriptions o...