Amatory Pleasures


Book Description

Encompassing the long 18th century, Amatory Pleasures examines a broad and enticing variety of topics in the history of sexuality in Georgian times. It includes discussion of sexual perversion, criminal conversation, erotic gardens, gentlemen's homosocial societies, flagellation, pornography, writings of courtesans and the world of female friendship, revealing the secret or hidden meanings circulating between mainstream and covert activities of the 18th century. Julie Peakman draws connections between these pieces and situates them within current debates and examines how Georgian sexual activity was integrated from low life and high places, from brothels to palaces. Aimed at anyone interested in gender, history of sexuality, sex, literature and 18th-century history, Amatory Pleasures is an invaluable collection of the work of a key scholar in the field.




Amatory Pleasures


Book Description

Encompassing the long 18th century, Amatory Pleasures examines a broad and enticing variety of topics in the history of sexuality in Georgian times. It includes discussion of sexual perversion, criminal conversation, erotic gardens, gentlemen's homosocial societies, flagellation, pornography, writings of courtesans and the world of female friendship, revealing the secret or hidden meanings circulating between mainstream and covert activities of the 18th century. Julie Peakman draws connections between these pieces and situates them within current debates and examines how Georgian sexual activity was integrated from low life and high places, from brothels to palaces. Aimed at anyone interested in gender, history of sexuality, sex, literature and 18th-century history, Amatory Pleasures is an invaluable collection of the work of a key scholar in the field.










Arabian Nights, in 16 volumes


Book Description

Notorious for the delight he took in tweaking the sexual taboos of the Victorian age-as well as the delight he took in the resulting shock of his bashful peers-British adventurer, linguist, and author CAPTAIN SIR RICHARD FRANCIS BURTON (1821-1890) is perhaps best remembered for his unexpurgated translation of the Eastern classic The One Thousand and One Nights, more famously known today as The Arabian Nights. Originating in Persian, Indian, and Arabic sources as far back as the ninth century AD, this collection of bawdy tales-which Burton was the first to bring to English readers in uncensored form-has exerted incalculable influence on modern literature. It represents one of the earliest examples of a framing story, as young Shahrazad, under threat of execution by the King, postpones her death by regaling him with these wildly entertaining stories over the course of 1,001 nights. The stories themselves feature early instances of sexual humor, satire and parody, murder mystery, horror, and even science fiction. Burton's annotated 16-volume collection, as infamous as it is important, was first published between 1885 and 1888, and remains an entertainingly naughty read. Volume X-which concludes Burton's initial publication of the tales-includes: [ "Ma'aruf the Cobbler and His Wife Fatimah" [ Burton's essays on the origins of the tales and other background material [ appendices and indexes [ and more.













The Complete Works of Sir Richard Francis Burton


Book Description

Richard Francis Burton, a renowned adventurer and translator, presents readers with a comprehensive collection of his works in 'The Complete Works of Sir Richard Francis Burton.' This anthology showcases Burton's literary style, which is marked by his curiosity for foreign cultures and languages, as well as his bold exploration of taboo subjects. The book includes a diverse range of writings, from his celebrated translations of 'The Arabian Nights' to his pioneering studies on African and Middle Eastern societies. Burton's unique blend of academic rigor and adventurous spirit shines through in each piece, offering modern readers a glimpse into the Victorian era's fascination with the exotic and unknown. As a decorated British Army officer, diplomat, and polyglot, Richard Francis Burton's life experiences deeply informed his writing. His travels to remote regions in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East provided him with a wealth of material for his ethnographic studies and literary translations. Burton's insatiable thirst for knowledge and his willingness to challenge societal norms are evident in the vast scope of subjects covered in this collection. For readers interested in exploring the intersection of literature, adventure, and cultural anthropology, 'The Complete Works of Sir Richard Francis Burton' is a must-read. Burton's fearless exploration of foreign lands and his profound insights into human behavior make this anthology a timeless contribution to world literature.




1001 Nights


Book Description

"In tide of yore and in time long gone before, there was a King of the Kings of the Banu Sásán in the Islands of India and China, a Lord of armies and guards and servants and dependents . . . So he succeeded to the empire; when he ruled the land and forded it over his lieges with justice so exemplary that he was beloved by all the peoples of his capital and of his kingdom." The Book of the Thousand Nights and A Night is a collection of Middle Eastern, West Asian and South Asian stories and folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age. It is often known in English as the Arabian Nights.The stories proceed from an original tale of ruler Shahryār and his wife Scheherazade where some stories are framed within other stories, while others begin and end of their own accord. This edition contains more than 1001 tales of romance, erotica, supernatural and adventure along with copious notes transport you into the land of magic and nostalgia.