A History of Sexual Customs

A fascinating, often eyebrow-raising survey of how societies across time have defined, regulated, and ritualized sex, A History of Sexual Customs traces the shifting rules around desire, marriage, and morality from ancient civilizations to the modern age.

Drawing on anthropology, history, and cultural records, Lewinsohn reveals just how variable—and often contradictory—sexual norms have been, exposing the social forces behind what each era labels “acceptable” and quietly challenging the idea that those standards were ever fixed or universal.