History of Penis Culture: Do as you please

Author: (American) David M. Friedman
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2003-04-01
Features: "This is the kind of book I love: one that cleverly and engagingly discusses the subject that is sometimes grand and sometimes private, paradoxical yet entirely human. I Do It My Way blends science, myth, and history into a truly thought-provoking masterpiece." — Lucy Grealy, author of The Autobiography of a Face
Whether the penis is seen as humanity's enemy or friend, demon or god, a source of happiness or a root of worldly troubles, it has driven humans to decipher its enduring mystery. In this field of wisdom-inspiring and heart-entertaining cultural studies, this book has emerged, arguing the pivotal role of the penis in Western civilization. Men can place their masculinity in control, but who ultimately holds whom in their grasp? Is the penis a man's treasure—or a beast? How should humans use it? And at what point does its use become abuse? Among all human organs, only the penis forces humans to confront a contradictory situation: sometimes persistent, sometimes reluctant, this tool can both create and destroy, both be attached to the body and often seem detached from it. This eternal mystery has made the penis both a hero and a villain in the life drama of every man—and of all humanity.
If you pick up I Do It My Way with a slight doubt, thinking its value lies only in entertaining readers, you'd be wrong. Because you will be pleasantly surprised to discover that David M. Friedman's work is nothing short of a masterpiece in the realm of knowledge: on the surface, it tells the history of the organ revered as a treasure and god by men, but in reality, it describes, from an existentialist perspective, the androcentrism (including the anxiety about penis size) and other factors that drive the process of world civilization. Friedman displays his profound knowledge with ease. The erotic examples he mentions not only do not diminish the charm of the work but also enhance its brilliant prose. Despite its playful and witty tone, the book raises serious questions about the complex relationship between power and desire. It is a superior cultural history work—，，。—Daphne Milgram, author of Hitler's Dream
David M. Friedman's biography of a part of the human body is both fun and well-researched, as well as a history of a certain idea and a study report on a certain symbol, boldly exploring the unpredictable relationship between human thought and its unruly body parts.
As required by the central theme of the work, I Do It My Way is thought-provoking throughout. —Anthony Holden, author of William Shakespeare: The Man Behind the Genius
Because the new about the penis involves the more elusive mystery of the relationship between humans and the penis, and will completely change how humans view and use this organ, it can be used to determine major turning points in Western history. I Do It My Way paints this complex and rarely explored story with concise and brilliant skill. In ancient times, the penis was revered as a god by pagan cultures, seen as a demon by early Roman Christians, and later secularized by pioneers like Leonardo da Vinci. To elevate the status of certain races while suppressing others, this organ was even "scientifically" measured. Then, Sigmund Freud psychoanalyzed it. As a result, the penis became the key to unlocking various complexes in the field of psychology—whether in patients equipped with it or those envious of those who possess it. After being politicized by the feminist movement and heavily exploited by popular culture, the penis is now medicalized. Before Friedman, no one had explained why the emergence of products like Viagra was not just a commercial story about health. The era of Viagra actually marked the beginning—or perhaps the end—of a long-standing in human history: the story of men and their penises. I Do It My Way depicts the ever-changing course of this relationship: sometimes amusing, occasionally worrying, but never boring. David Friedman, with his rational rigor and witty, satirical style, has written a thought-provoking, significant, and highly readable cultural work in recent years.