Critical Reviews

The World Association of Sexology, an international society of leading scholars and eighty professional organizations devoted to the study of human sexual behavior, has endorsed The International Encyclopedia of Sexuality as an important and unique contribution to our understanding and appreciation of the rich variety of human sexual attitudes, values, and behavior in cultures around the world.

Recipient of the “1997 Citation of Excellence for an outstanding reference in the field of sexology,” awarded by the American Foundation for Gender and Genital Medicine and Science at the Thirteenth World Congress of Sexology, Valencia, Spain.

Recommended by Library Journal (October 1, 1997) to public and academic librarians looking to update their collections in the area of sexuality: “An extraordinary, highly valuable synthesis of information not available elsewhere. Here are in-depth reports on sex-related practices and culture in 32 countries on six continents, contributed by 135 sexologists worldwide. . . . For all academic and larger public collections.”

Picked by Choice (Association of College & Research Libraries/American Library Association) as Best Reference Work and Outstanding Academic Book for 1997: “Although this encyclopedia is meant as a means of understanding human sexuality, it can also be used as a lens with which to view human culture in many of its other manifestations. . . . Considering coverage, organization, and authority, the comparatively low price is also notable. Recommended for reference collections in universities, special collections, and public libraries.”

“Most impressive, providing a wealth of good, solid information that may be used by a wide variety of professionals and students seeking information on cross-cultural patterns of sexual behavior . . . an invaluable, unique scholarly work that no library should be without.”—Contemporary Psychology

“. . . enables us to make transcultural comparisons of sexual attitudes and behaviours in a way no other modern book does. . . . Clinics and training organizations would do well to acquire copies for their libraries. . . . Individual therapists and researchers who like to have their own collection of key publications should certainly consider it.”—Sexual and Marital Therapy (U.K.)

“. . . scholarly, straightforward, and tightly-organized format information about sexual beliefs and behaviors as they are currently practiced in 32 countries around the world. . . . The list of contributors . . . is a virtual who’s who of scholars in sexual science.”—Choice

“. . . one of the most ambitious cross-cultural sex surveys ever undertaken. Some 135 sexologists worldwide describe sex-related practices and cultures in 32 different countries. . . . Best Reference Sources of 1997.”—Library Journal

“What separates this encyclopedia from past international sexuality books is its distinct dissimilarity to a ‘guidebook to the sexual hotspots of the world.’ . . . An impressive and important contribution to our understanding of sexuality in a global society. . . . fills a big gap in people’s knowledge about sexual attitudes and behaviors.”—Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)

“Truly important books on human sexuality can be counted on, perhaps, just one hand. The International Encyclopedia of Sexuality deserves special attention as an impressive accomplishment.”—Journal of Marriage and the Family

“. . . a landmark effort to cross-reference vast amounts of information about human sexual behaviors, customs, and cultural attitudes existing in the world. Never before has such a comprehensive undertaking been even remotely available to researchers, scholars, educators, and clinicians active in the field of human sexuality.”—Sandra Cole, Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Medical Center