BOOK DESCRIPTION

Nearly two thousand communes now flourish, their members presumably seeking to escape from the traditional life style of the nuclear family. A similar path was traveled a century ago by utopian idealists who also chose to separate themselves from society to achieve an ideal. Like modern communes, those of the nineteenth century varied in their purposes, ideals, and sexual arrangements. Mr. Muncy concentrates on those that were original or unique in their approach to sex and marriage.

Three basically different types of utopian community were founded in America during the nineteenth century: (1) the sectarian communities inspired by a common desire for the good life on earth, but particularly for eternal life; (2) the reform communities, which attempted to lead the world to a perfect order through the application of reform principles on a small scale, and which trusted others, and eventually the whole world to follow their example; and (3) the purely economic cooperatives, which sought to alleviate the distresses of their members by combining their resources apart from the harsh competition of capitalism.

The majority of the utopian communities – including those founded by Robert Owen, Charles Fourier, and Etienne Cabet –attempted to maintain the separate family unit, sometimes adding a  communal dining hall, but found the exclusiveness of the family a problem. Several religious communities where continence was practiced –the Shakers, Rappites, Zoarites, and Jansonists among them–were more successful in maintaining a communal arrangement. The Mormons adopted polygyny, propounding the doctrine of “celestial marriage” to bolster their practice with theology. The Perfectionists at Oneida adopted a system, of complex marriage wherein each was married to all others of the opposite sex in the community. Some communities practiced free love, others made sexual orgies occasions of divine worship.

Generally, Mr. Muncy finds that communities were forced either to modify or abandon the monogamous nuclear family if they were to last for long. A fascinating piece of American social history that is exhaustive, objective, and informative.

______
Raymond Lee Muncy. Sex and Marriage in Utopian Communities: 19th Century America. Bloomington / London: Indiana University Press, 1973. 275pp.

ΒΟΟΚ DESCRIPTION

In this compelling book, lavishly illustrated with rare photographs, Steve Humphries tells the extraordinary story of sex before marriage in Britain during the first half of our century. Based on many surprisingly frank interviews with old people, and studded throughout with moving extracts from their life stories, it is the first major investigation into the sexual experiences of young lovers of the past.

Most sex took place in an atmosphere of ignorance, guilt and fear, and became submerged in a secret world. For many, the sexual taboo had damaging or disastrous consequences. Anxiety and frustration about sex were perennial problems, expecially amongst courting couples; while young gays were forced to lead a double life. Sexual ignorance resulted in many unwanted pregnancies, which in turn led to a thriving trade for back street abortionists and a stream of shotgun weddings. The greatest tragedy often befell the unmarried mother. She was beckoned by the workhouse, or even the mental hospital – not by the welfare state as today. The author rescues the stories of victims like these, along with a host of others, from obscurity and oblivion.

This book breaks new ground in bringing to light an important and controversial chapter in British social history

Steve Humphries. A Secret World of Sex: Forbidden Fruit: The British Experience 1900-1950. London: Sidgwick & Jackson Limited, 1991. 224pp., 87 black-and-white illus.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Raising her young daughter in a conventionally middle-class neighborhood, Linda Wolfe was surprised to discover the preoccupation of the other women was not so much in the affairs of their children –but in affairs of their own. Extramarital affairs. Everyone talked about “playing around,” and Ms. Wolfe found herself fascinated by their lives.

We live in a world where adultery is still more difficult and guilt producing for a woman than it is for a man, and yet it is estimated that the number of women engaging in adultery in the post-Kinsey era may be as high as 40 percent. What has accounted for the behavior of these otherwise conventional women here and across the country? What has prompted them to override centuries of proscription?

These questions are answered in this highly readable exploration of female infidelity. Delving into the past, Linda Wolfe surveys the fictional and historical accounts of woman's adultery. The she examines the contemporary women novelists' treatment of the subject. Last, she investigates the adulterous women of today –the young and old, the traditional secret adulterers, and the new breed who with their husbands practice open adultery – recording their thoughts and experiences as they traverse a path of radical social change.

Linda Wolfe. Playing Around: Women and Extramarital Sex. New York, N.Y.: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1975. xi+248pp.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

In this true story the author discusses, openly and candidly, how a chance encounter while on vacation challenged many of her assumptions and opened up a whole new world of unexpected pleasure.

Even though Joyce Weaver always thought she was very open-minded about sex, to the point of telling her husband he could have sex with other women, should the opportunity arise, she was totally unprepared when the opportunity actually did arise, not only for him, but for her, too!

In her first book, she describes the events, along with the roller coaster of emotions and desires, that lead to the discovery of the Lifestyle (the world of swingers) and her unexpected enjoyment of (along with her husband) group sex, not to mention the discovery that she also liked sex with other women.

The unexpected encounter happened while vacationing in Key West, Florida during Fantasy Fest. Fantasy Fest is a weeklong party that ranges from mild to wildly outrageous and is, often, sexually charged.

Follow along as Joyce describes the events leading up to her first group sex encounter, in sizzling detail.

If you've ever wondered if the swimming lifestyle or group sex was for you, you need to read this true account of one woman's introduction to, and wholehearted acceptance of, the Lifestyle.

______
Joyce Weaver. My Introduction to Swinging at Fantasy Fest: How I Learned to Relax and Enjoy Group Sex. Geezer Guides, 2014. 36pp.