Physiological and Humanities Series Books: Be Yourself -- The History of Phallic Culture

Author: (American) Friedman
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-04-01
Features: "This is the kind of book I love: It cleverly, engagingly, and thoughtfully describes and discusses the subject that sometimes appears grand and ceremonial, yet also belongs to personal privacy, defies logic yet perfectly aligns with human nature. I Do as I Please 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, a demon or a god, a source of happiness and satisfaction or a root of worldly troubles, it has prompted humanity to tirelessly unravel its enduring mystery. In this field of cultural research that enlightens and delights, this book emerges, arguing for the pivotal role the penis has played in Western civilization. Men can place their male organ in their grasp, but who ultimately holds whom in their power? 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 humanity to confront a paradoxical 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 revered as a hero and vilified as a villain in the lifelong drama of shaping every man—and all of humanity.
If you pick up I Do as I Please with a hint of skepticism, thinking its value lies only in entertaining readers, you'd be wrong. Because you'll be delighted 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 that men cherish and revere as a god, but in reality, it describes from an existentialist perspective the male-centricism (including the anxiety over penis size) and other factors that drive the process of global civilization. Friedman effortlessly displays his profound knowledge. The erotic examples he mentions not only enhance the charm of the work but also make its brilliant prose even more radiant. Despite the work's playful and witty tone, it raises serious questions about the complex relationship between power and desire. This is a superior cultural history—filled with meticulously observed material, unbound by current conventions, and in summary, a captivating masterpiece. — Daphne Milgram, author of Hitler's Dream
David M. Friedman's biography of a particular part of the human body is both fun and well-researched, while also being a history of a certain idea and a research report on a certain symbol, boldly exploring the ever-changing relationship between human thought and the unpredictable human body. As required by the central theme of the work, I Do as I Please is thought-provoking and thought-provoking throughout. — Anthony Holden, author of William Shakespeare: The Man Behind the Genius