Bonk

Mary Roach brings her signature blend of meticulous research and irreverent humor to the history of sex science, tracing the work of Kinsey, Masters and Johnson, and a wide cast of researchers who studied human sexuality in laboratories and clinics across decades. Roach is genuinely funny while staying scientifically rigorous — that's a real skill, and she pulls it off. One strength is the surprising historical breadth, reaching back centuries before landing on modern imaging technology and pharmaceuticals. However, this book is not appropriate for family audiences or readers with conservative values: it discusses sexual anatomy, intercourse, orgasm, pornography labs, and includes an episode where the author participates in recorded sexual research. Adults who enjoy popular science and are comfortable with frank content will find it excellent. Everyone else should pass.