Sexuality

Imagine looking at history's luminaries through a new lens – that's "Pox" for you. Hayden intricately weaves the untold impacts of syphilis on brilliant minds. Not only does it offer fresh biographical insights, but it also challenges how we interpret their legacies. The mix of scandal, health, and genius might just redefine your view of the past.

Was Beethoven experiencing syphilitic euphoria when he composed "Ode to Joy"? Did van Gogh paint "Crows Over the Wheatfield" in a fit of diseased madness right before he shot himself? Was syphilis a stowaway on Columbus's return voyage to Europe? The answers to these provocative questions are likely "yes," claims Deborah Hayden in this riveting investigation of the effects of the "Pox" on the lives and works of world figures from the fifteenth through the twentieth centuries. Writing with remarkable insight and narrative flair, Hayden argues that biographers and historians have vastly underestimated the influence of what Thomas Mann called "this exhilarating yet wasting disease." Shrouded in secrecy, syphilis was accompanied by wild euphoria and suicidal depression, megalomania and paranoia, profoundly affecting sufferers' worldview, their sexual behavior and personality, and, of course, their art. Deeply informed and courageously argued, Pox has already been heralded as a major contribution to our understanding of genius, madness, and creativity.

If you're intrigued by the crossroads of linguistics, feminism, and cultural studies, "The Vagina: A Literary and Cultural History" is an enlightening exploration. Emma L.E. Rees unpacks the complexities of how society and media portray female sexuality, offering insights that might forever change the way you think about language and gender politics. This book could be a fascinating journey for those interested in deep-diving into the powerful narratives woven around women's bodies through history and art.

This book is perfect for anyone curious about the historical evolution of marriage, and how love became the basis of the institution today. The author provides a fascinating insight into different cultures, periods, and individuals who have shaped the institution of marriage. This book will challenge any preconceptions about marriage and also offer a new perspective on how love has transformed the institution.