Phallacy: Life Lessons from the Animal Penis

Willingham has done an incredible job in researching this book, and in presenting the material in an approachable and wryly amusing way. Much of the book covers the fantastic range of ways that nature uses for putting his gametes in contact with hers. Invertebrates, especially, have developed structures and practices that boggle the mind, and she lists a range including slugs, barnacles, spiders, and lots more. She reports on spiders in amber, a hundred million years old, that have some of the same structures as our own spiders do – and that died as virgins. At the risk of going off-topic, I remember when I first started seeing condoms among women\’s products in the drug stores. It was the marketing discovery of the decade: every condom has two users! One\’s on the inside, but there\’s another user on the outside! Willingham\’s repeated point is similar: readily visible genitals have been studied widely (mostly by people with readily visible genitals). Understanding that organ, however, requires understanding its mate, since the two co-evolved as a single functioning unit. The phallus\’s less visible partner has received far less attention, when even a quick examination could have explained some of the unusual features of a species\’s boy bits. Fortunately that\’s changing, in part because of increasing numbers of women in biology, but there are centuries of catching up to do. The final chapters address the human organ. It\’s not particularly noteworthy, as such things go, but has taken on huge and varied cultural significance. Since most readers will already be familiar with its structure and function, Willingham addresses its current symbolism, and some of the history that\’s got us to where we are. I found that somewhat less interesting than the comparative biology chapters, but still worthwhile. I offer one word of caution, however. The book opens with an upsetting experience from the author\’s own girlhood. It was so close to the trauma of a woman I lent the book to, that she was unable to continue reading. Her experience is valid, as is Willingham\’s. Still, if not for that, I\’m sure she would have enjoyed the book as I did. — wiredweird

The description on the page is accurate so I’ll try not to be repetitive. I’m typically a non-fiction reader anyway and I love a good non-fiction “drama,” so this book is perfect. It’s not dry, there are many surprises, plus the author’s own insights. From the introduction (which is a must-read) to the punchy first chapter, to the end (don’t want to disclose too much), she creates a thread to follow while also detouring to all nooks of the animal kingdom. This book is tough to classify. It could be shelved under biology, history, gender studies, feminism, psychology, sexuality, sociology… this is what’s most appealing for ME. Every page has something worth reading. If you are not a scientist, do not be intimidated by the jargon. She explains it well (and with humor as a bonus). I find myself rethinking and considering parts of the book after reading a chapter or two and THAT is the mark of a great read.

I expected a bit more cheeky book full of interesting mating rituals and penis stories, peppered with some historical development of men becoming the “dominate gender.” This book is a feminist tirade right from the beginning, so much so that I didn’t make it to the end. Interestingly, even when the author is giving a historical anecdote, she doesn’t flow between the story and her opinions or narratives, rather she puts asterisks everywhere and gives her opinions as footnotes, which is distracting and interrupts the smooth flow of reading. I purchased 3 copies, looking for a silly and informative book about the penis and gentle humor linking it to life lessons that I could gift to a couple girlfriends that really enjoy men, and returned 2 of them after discovering the book had an overt feminist attitude throughout. Just not what I was looking for.

Although the author may seem intense when discussing human sexual politics, I enjoy her discourse, even if part of me is going \”What? Hmn. Not sure I\’m on board with this. I\’ll have to ruminate on it\” when I read some passages. I enjoy writers who make me question my own experiences, beliefs and cognitive filters. I have the Kindle edition and now wish I had the paper version just so I\’d be able to flip back and forth easily, especially for the fascinating non-human biological information. Recommended for open-minded people who are willing to question their own reactions, are curious about how the world works, and enjoy a good story.

This book is laugh out loud funny, but it\’s also packed with fascinating and insightful science. It\’s not just about penises (though there are definitely a lot of those). It\’s also about the culture of science and how human biases shape the way we ask scientific questions and thus the answers we get. Willingham is smart and engaging, and she writes with authority. The book is deeply researched and extremely well written. A must read for all science nerds.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member