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Title details for Fierce Desires by Rebecca L. Davis - Available

Fierce Desires

A New History of Sex and Sexuality in America

by Rebecca L. Davis
Stephanie Dillard
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available
Our era is one of sexual upheaval. It may seem as though debates over sex are more intense than ever, but as acclaimed historian Rebecca L. Davis demonstrates in Fierce Desires, we should not be too surprised, because Americans have been arguing over which kinds of sex are "acceptable"—and which are not—since before the founding itself.
From the public floggings of fornicators in early New England to passionate same-sex love affairs in the 1800s and the crackdown on abortion providers in the 1870s, and from the movements for sexual liberation to the recent restrictions on access to gender affirming care, Davis presents a sweeping, engrossing, illuminating four-hundred-year account of this nation's sexual past.
At the heart of the book is Davis's argument that the concept of sexual identity is relatively novel, first appearing in the nineteenth century. Over the centuries, Americans have shifted from understanding sexual behaviors as reflections of personal preferences or values, to defining sexuality as an essential part of what makes a person who they are. And at every step, legislators, police, activists, and bureaucrats attempted to regulate new sexual behaviors, transforming government in the process. Davis's work demonstrates how fiercely we have always valued our desires, and how far we are willing to go to defend them.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    October 8, 2024

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781696617253
      • File size: 341410 KB
      • Duration: 11:51:15

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Library Journal

      March 7, 2025

      Davis (history, Univ. of Delaware; Public Confessions) provides a comprehensive examination of the history of sex in the United States, covering how sexual practices, identities, and norms have evolved over four centuries. Davis traces the roots of sexual debates in the United States, revealing how discussions about sexuality are tied to a longer tradition of moral and political discourse. Drawing from legal documents, historical records, and even romance novels, she uncovers lesser-known stories of notable figures who shaped the sexual history of the nation. Davis contends that the modern sexual identity is a relatively recent development, highlighting how Americans moved from seeing sexual behaviors as personal choices to understanding sexuality as an internal part of identity. She argues that this shift has been central to the ongoing legal and political struggles surrounding sex and sexual rights in the United States. Stephanie Dillard narrates, engagingly guiding listeners through the intricate and often complex history of U.S. sexual politics. She makes the content feel timely, and her consistent pacing allows listeners to absorb the impact of the historical moments Davis describes. VERDICT This well-researched work illuminates the deep connections between sexual politics and broader social and political movements. Recommended for social science collections everywhere.--Susan McClellan

      Copyright 2025 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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