November 28, 2023
This book does exactly what it says in the subtitle. It talks about the female body from the first proto-mammalian appearance of nursing all the way up to (relatively) modern history. How are women’s bodies different from men and what does that mean? What are the advantages of menstruation (humans are only one of a handful of mammalian species that menstruate. The others include primates, bats and shrews.)? What does the human vagina say about the rise of monogamy? Why do drag queens have an easier time in high heel shoes? And what does female anatomy tell about the deeper reasons for human success as a species?This is my kind of pop-sci book. It’s informal without feeling like the author is speaking down to me. Each chapter has a narrative to pin a particular development to, but it doesn’t become the focus of the chapter. And it kept feeling fresh, even as the author wrapped everything up at the end. It was a page turner, even when it occasionally made me want to punch chauvinists and Republicans in the neck once in a while.
It was insightful and eye opening. I learned so much and I really do hope a lot of people read this.
–Chris Blakeley, Seattle, WA
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