Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts

A History of Sex for Sale

By: Kate Lister

Narrated by: Kate Lister

Length: 4 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

The history of selling sex is a hidden one—and too often its practitioners are pushed to the margins of history. This book redresses the balance, revealing the history of the sex trade through the eyes of sex workers, from medieval streets to Wild West saloons, and from brothels to state bedrooms.

Harlots, Whores & Hackabouts' chapters are structured thematically in a broadly chronological order, each one introducing a lively cast of complex and entertaining characters operating in an array of different periods, locations, and settings. In ancient Mesopotamia, the harlot Shamhat was powerful and respected, able to civilize the wild man Enkidu through her charms. In medieval London, Elizabeth Moryng serviced religious clergy under the guise of an embroidery business, though she was eventually jailed for being a prolific panderer and bawd. In the hedonistic floating world of Edo, Japan, Kabuki actresses and geishas entertained and pleasured their patrons. Lister's engaging and illuminating tales invite listeners to look, listen, and reconsider everything they thought they knew about the world's oldest profession. Together, these captivating tales of sex workers from around the world and throughout history provide a powerful context to contemporary debates about sexuality and the empowerment of women.

Contains mature themes.

©2021 Thames & Hudson Ltd, London; Text copyright 2021 by Kate Lister (P)2022 Tantor

10/10!!

An excellent book from one of my favorite authors (as well as podcasters!). I recommend all of Lister’s various work. I only hope that we can hope to see another book soon (fingers crossed).

Fantastic and Compelling

I love this book, it gave such an informative view of the history of sex work. The art was also so well curated (I read along with the physical copy). Recommending to everyone!

Fascinating and well written for the modern reader

Where was this book when I was looking through the stacks of my college library for the smallest scraps of information on prostitution for my paper on social structures!? Very thought provoking and informative, and very much entertaining. Thanks, Kate!

surprisingly good!

I didnt expect to like this book so much. It's not meant to be gossipy or funny, as most history books about the topic are. instead the writer carefully maps out the history of prostitution with great respect to the victims, workers, and accused and the premise that regulation and laws only exacerbate the core issues. GREAT READ!

Just wonderful !

Great history lesson and super fascinating!! Totally recommend if you have any interest in the subject !

Very interesting topic just a little dry..

I was very excited to delve into this book and learn the history behind “the oldest profession” but I felt the author was so focused on dates and times and the legal actions she missed the human interest focus and it was very dry. My mind wandered while listening and honestly was bored several times with the repeating of dates, legal action, etc. Based on the summary, I was looking for more day to day stories and insight into the lives of these women through the years. Very thorough and interesting though and great historical information!

Wanted more from this

Was top short and didn’t dive deep enough. Great as a starter but not a meal.