Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?

And Other Reflections on Being Human

By: Jesse Bering

Narrated by: Jesse Bering

Why do testicles hang the way they do? Is there an adaptive function to the female orgasm? What does it feel like to want to kill yourself? Does "free will" really exist? And why is the penis shaped like that anyway?

In Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That?, the research psychologist and award-winning columnist Jesse Bering features more than thirty of his most popular essays from Scientific American and Slate, as well as two new pieces, that take readers on a bold and captivating journey through some of the most taboo issues related to evolution and human behavior. Exploring the history of cannibalism, the neurology of people who are sexually attracted to animals, the evolution of human body fluids, the science of homosexuality, and serious questions about life and death, Bering astutely covers a generous expanse of our kaleidoscope of quirks and origins.

With his characteristic irreverence and trademark cheekiness, Bering leaves no topic unturned or curiosity unexamined, and he does it all with an audaciously original voice. Whether you're interested in the psychological history behind the many facets of sexual desire or the evolutionary patterns that have dictated our current mystique and phallic physique, Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That? is bound to create lively discussion and debate for years to come.

Hilarious and informative

This book was a lot of fun. It's sort of a "questions you were afraid to ask" kind of book and Jesse does an excellent job narrating it. It's full of cheesy but funny puns and addresses all sorts of issues you've likely never read about but were interested in. Definitely worth a listen!

It appears there is a reason for almost everything

Jesse Bering lays out years of research in an informative and entertaining fashion that occasionally made me say "eww, who would volunteer to do that?" and often made me laugh. Jesse pun's and humor kept the book moving and I always looked forward to the next installment.

Not all the topics were comfortable but isnt that really what makes us want more and how we grow?

I found the insights into how somethings were researched to be very interesting. Insights into the authors awareness of his own sexuality was equally interesting.

I purchased the book because the title was catchy and I needed to use a credit. I quickly found it was a well spent credit. Once again, the author reading his own work was a total bonus.

Title Caught My Attention, The Content Was Great!

Okay, you got me! I have to admit that the title of the book caught my attention, but once I got into it, I realized that this book is chock full of information on the body and body parts that I typically don’t give much thought to. I do now!

The book goes into good enough detail on how and why humans do what we do, and how we evolved to be that way. I found it to be very informative and it kept my attention throughout.
Guess what?... I did find out why the penis is shaped that way! And, that alone is worth the price of the book.

If you want a book that talks about and explains so many of the body functions that usually only bring about a blush to ones face, or have you speaking in code “down there”, “private parts” or “unmentionables”, then this book is for you.

The author, Jesse Bering, writes about everything under the sun from anal sex, bestiality, foot fetishes, gay/straight stuff, religion, death and dying… and so much more. Plus, you’ll even find out why the penis is shaped that way. (smile!)

Enjoy the book and get over some “hangups” that you might have about why people are the way that they are, and that when it comes down to it, there’s really nothing wrong with it and it’s nature playing its role the way that nature does.

Entertaining

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

Entertaining, revealing, changing

What was one of the most memorable moments of Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That??

The author's own experiences realizing he was gay at a young age and relating what it was like growing up gay. I love his total openness in relating his own experiences and beliefs. He lays it right out there, like more people should.

Have you listened to any of Jesse Bering???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the book. Perhaps not all of his research is scientifically spot on as some reviewers pointed out, but most of it is, plus the story was very entertaining and it left me with some new perspectives. I love books that really make you think and this book accomplishes that!

One of the most thought provoking books I've read!

What made the experience of listening to Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That? the most enjoyable?

After the first couple chapters I made my husband listen with me in the car, and watching the expression on his face of "WOW, I never thought of that!" was the most enjoyable. (aside from feeling that way myself)

What was one of the most memorable moments of Why Is the Penis Shaped Like That??

While this has nothing to do with the book - I was waiting in the car and listening to the book with the volume a little too loud, and then an elderly woman walked past my open window with a distinctive look on her face...LOL

Which scene was your favorite?

The chapter that discussed tribal rituals about ingesting semen as a source of masculinity and vitality.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"ear muffs!" -Old School Movie