Bonk

The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex

By: Mary Roach

Narrated by: Sandra Burr

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

The study of sexual physiology - what happens, and why, and how to make it happen better - has been a paying career or a diverting sideline for scientists as far-ranging as Leonardo da Vinci and James Watson. The research has taken place behind the closed doors of laboratories, brothels, MRI centers, pig farms, sex-toy R&D labs, and Alfred Kinsey's attic.

Mary Roach, "The funniest science writer in the country" (Burkhard Bilger of The New Yorker), devoted the past two years to stepping behind those doors. Can a person think herself to orgasm? Can a dead man get an erection? Is vaginal orgasm a myth? Why doesn't Viagra help women - or, for that matter, pandas? In Bonk, Roach shows us how and why sexual arousal and orgasm - two of the most complex, delightful, and amazing scientific phenomena on earth - can be so hard to achieve and what science is doing to slowly make the bedroom a more satisfying place.

©2008 Mary Roach (P)2008 Brilliance Audio

Critic reviews

"Narrator Sandra Burr's enjoyment of Roach's descriptions and wry comments is obvious, making this a pleasure to hear." (Library Journal)

The science of sex in layman's terms

This book is a compilation of some topics the author found interest in and researched, using some of the more well known studies of human sexuality. The Kinsey and Master's and Johnson studies in particular are often discussed in detail. I liked this book, and if you're interested in sex from a science standpoint you will probably enjoy it. I don't think there was a lot of material in this book that was original however, it read a little bit like a long research paper.

Great treatment of a sticky subject

Mary Roach excels again in bringing taboo subject matter to light in a desperately funny, sometimes sarcastic, and meticulously thorough examination of sex. Where else can you find a chapter on penis attachment titled "Remember Me"? Don't listen to the comments about Sandra Burr's narration. Her dry tone accentuates Roach's humor perfectly, and emphasizes but does not overshadow the punchlines as they are written.

Terrific!!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Very interesting and informative and FUNNY!!!

Who was your favorite character and why?

non-fiction

Which scene was your favorite?

this book is non-fiction, there were not scences

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

laughed often!

Any additional comments?

Narration is A+

Nice book

I am a senior citizen who thought I knew a good deal about sex. I found there was much I didn't know. I liked the breezy style of the author. I didn't like the narrator much because my hearing is borderline and she seemed to slur her words.

Educational & Extremely Entertaining

This book is a gem. Five stars all the way! Most other books on the topic are either dry and boring scientific talk or they are too crude and juvenile. This book is a perfect balance of education and entertainment. As someone who is medically trained, I still learned quite a bit from this book, but was entertained as I learned. The author uses appropriate and well-thought out humor that makes the read very enjoyable. The reader can, at one moment, be caught in a state of marvel with the science while at other times giggling uncontrollably from the author's own humanness and wit.

I think this book is for everyone, young and old. I would even go as far as to recommend it to high school students who want to know more than the standard "birds and bees" talk in sex ed class. It's entertaining enough to keep young folks engaged, yet scholarly enough to be considered a good supplementary textbook. I think back at the boring pamphlets and other materials I got when I went through sex ed as a young adult. I can't imagine how fun class would have been if I would have had this book as additional reading, or even to read on my own since the information I got back then was so abbreviated and boring. Of course this isn't meant as a primary text for sex ed, it would make an excellent complimentary text for those who want to dive a little deeper and laugh while learning.

I read/listened to the audio book version and would recommend the audio version over the text because the narrator does such an excellent job in timing the humor so perfectly and even doing some voice characterization.

Excellent ... Funny, Informative, Provocative

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Like all of Roach’s books, Bonk takes a sideways scientific look at a broad topic. (In previous books, she’s tackled cadavers, the afterlife and space travel.) This time out, Roach is exploring “The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex.” With her boundless curiosity, willingness to ask the “hard” questions (pun intended) and trademark snarkiness, Roach is the perfect person to explore sex research … even going so far as to participate in a few experiments herself. From discussing the work of sex researcher pioneers Master and Johnson to visiting a pig insemination farm to observing a degloving surgery (you don’t want to know) to touring a sex toys manufacturing plant, Roach travels the world interviewing and exploring the work of sex researchers past and present.

MY THOUGHTS

I just adore Mary Roach and will follow her anywhere her witty and curious mind takes her. I love her sense of humor and how she isn’t afraid to ask questions that might make others blush. I love how she inserts herself into her books by sharing anecdotes about her experiences while researching the book. More than anything, I love how I learn stuff I never knew while being thoroughly entertained. Whenever someone says “I don’t enjoy non-fiction writing,” I always ask them “Have you read Mary Roach yet?”With sex being such a “taboo” topic, this book might not appeal to everyone. If frank talk about sex, sex organs, orgasms, penises, vaginas and so forth make you uncomfortable, this book is not for you. Although the material isn’t presented in a gratuitous or tasteless manner, it IS a book about sex.And speaking of sex, I don’t think you walk away from this book without thinking long and hard (again, pun intended!) about your own sexual experiences and reactions. To be honest, I felt like a little experimentation was in order after reading the book. (Mr. Jenners cheers!) After all, many women confess to not really being in touch with their clitoris—a critical element in achieving orgasm in women. And I must confess that I may not be as in touch with my clitoris as I could be. (How’s that for too much information?)

ABOUT THE NARRATION

Sandra Burr was the perfect narrator for this book. She has a wonderful voice that was easy on the ears and injected the perfect amount of snark and humor to best serve Roach’s writing. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book on audio (though I wouldn’t recommend listening to it where others could listen in as I’m sure you’d raise some eyebrows!), and I’d seek out Burr as a narrator of other books. Here’s hoping she narrates Roach’s next book as that would definitely push me to listen to it on audio versus reading it in print form.

RECOMMENDED FOR

Roach fans, readers seeking scientific writing that is leavened with a sense of humor, people interested in learning more about human sexuality and sex research

Another sex book for men

Ladies, this book is about penises and the male experience of sex. The female anatomy gets a tiny chapter at the end and that's it. How disappointing. On the bright side, the writing is hilarious.

Fun, witty and interesting

This is my second book by Mary roach and I Love her balance of whimsy and science.

informative and clever

Mary Roach uses clever humor to breach sex science in a way to make you more comfortable even though this topic is subjectively taboo. thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

Great facts! Boring reader.

I love Mary Roach, and this was her most interesting book yet. But the reader for this track does the author no favors. Seriously, try getting through it without getting frustrated every time she pronounces the word "coitus" (which is often).