Been There, Done That: A Rousing History of Sex

Like many taboo subjects, discussions of human sexuality are often clouded by hearsay, urban legends, and secrecy. In this informative and delightful history of sex and sex-adjacent topics, science writer Feltman brings sex out of the bedroom and into clear view. She organizes her book by topic rather than time period, allowing the listener the opportunity to take a historical deep dive into a variety of topics related to sex and sexuality, from masturbation to birth control to pornography. She strikes a careful balance between fact and humor and is careful to not accept popular urban legends as historical truth. Feltman’s engaging and spirited narration fits the overall tone of her book—bawdy, funny, and surprisingly informational—and it’s obvious that she sees the humor in the subject matter. There are times where it sounds like she’s leaning in to share a dirty secret, and times when it sounds like a particularly entertaining lecture. Listeners will emerge with a new understanding of human sexuality—and some surprising anecdotes to share with others.