"Originally published in 1994 and updated in 1999, this classic
exploration of terra femina redefined sex based on how women really
experience sexual pleasure. These affirmative portraits, plus Ogden's
commentary, broaden readers' understanding of female sexuality beyond
stereotypes, whether from pop culture, sexology, macho patriarchy, or
feminsim. The complex, regenerative power of pleasure that she
describes offers women hope that it is good and healthy to 'love sex.'"—Library Journal
“Ogden’s celebration of female sexuality places her in the tradition of Lonnie Barbach, Shere Hite, and Betty Dodson.”—Kirkus
“An affirmative guide for both women and men, enriched by smart clinical insights.”—Publishers Weekly
"A masterpiece of affirmation—refreshing, moving, and extraordinarily liberating. For sexuality professionals, for our students, patients, and clients, for anyone who loves women, and especially for any woman who loves sex (or wantsto love sex), Women Who Love Sex is the freshest breath of air to come along in years."—The Journal of Sex Research
"This book is a remarkable contribution to the literature on female sexuality. Ogden sets out to destroy stereotypes of female sexuality, whether they are found in pop culture, the world of professional sexology, or in current, politically correct 'feminist' ideology. She succeeds by situating women's sexual phenomenology within an appropriate, theoretical context and by substantiating her propositions with empirical support."—Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality
“This book explores a whole new landscape: the sexuality and
sensuality of healthy women on their own terms—not simply in
relationship to the male norm. You will find inspiration and
affirmation in this book.”—Christiane Northrup, MD
“This woman-affirming book breaks new ground with its broad
understanding of the nature and power of women’s sexual pleasure.”—Our
Bodies Ourselves
"An
innovative approach. A truly significant contribution to the way in
which we think about human sexuality."—Wardell B. Pomeroy, PhD,
coauthor of the "Kinsey Reports"—Sexual Behavior in the Human Male and Sexual Behavior in the Human Female
"In
my work with college women, I am witness to the wrestling match between
young women's evolving self-definition and the relentlessly
constricting messages imposed upon them by society. Women are warned
about sexual negativity, but by refusing to acknowledge that women also
posses the capacity for deep sexual joy, we have allowed only half the
truth to be told. Women Who Love Sex tells the long-denied
other half of that truth. Reading it was extraordinarily freeing, both
for me and my students."—Mary Krueger, PhD, Founding Director of the
Bowling Green State University Women's Center
"This is a warm,
innovative book, full of sexual poetry from women's own stories about
their lives. Ogden has an important message. Sex, especially
woman-affirming sex, is about a whole lot more than intercourse and
orgasm. It is about trust, sharing, spirituality, love, whole-body
sensuality, and letting go of restrictive sex roles and oppressive
sexual scripts."—Naomi B. McCormick, PhD, Professor of Psychology at
the State University of New York at Plattsburg, and author of Sexual Salvation
"Fascinating,
affirming, and down-to-earth. Gina Ogden skillfully weaves together
women's stories with insight and wisdom to explore the magnitude of
women's sexual experiences—their power, importance, and connection to
spirituality. This book will get a lot of women talking about
sex!"—Charlotte Kasl, PhD, author of Women, Sex, and Addiction
"Gina
Ogden writes with scientific accuracy, care, and passion, and her
writing flows."—Ted McIlvenna, MDiv, PhD, President of the Institute
for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality
"This superb and powerful
book provides a format for women to understand their own sexuality from
a woman's perspective rather than trying to fit into a model defined by
men. It exemplifies why qualitative research provides important
insights into the study of human sexuality."—Beverly Whipple, RN, PhD,
President of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and
Therapists, and coauthor of The G-Spot