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Why are women biologically driven to find Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome? Can more sex help ensure a safe pregnancy? What effect does pornography have on a man’s fertility?  In this compelling follow-up to the New York Times best seller Survival of the Sickest, Dr. Sharon Moalem takes us on a trip from prehistory to the forefront of cutting-edge  medical research, and through a bedroom or two, to tell the story of how  human sexuality has developed over time.How Sex Works challenges common perceptions about our bodies and provides astonishing  discoveries from the frontiers of science as it traces the  transformation of sex across species and through time to its current  role in human societies.Find out the answers to such provocative questions as:Can the birth control pill influence the type of men women are attracted to? What do men and honeybees have in common when it comes to sex? Why do hourglass-shaped women tend to be especially fertile? When are women most likely to cheat? Can twins have different fathers?From the composition and function of human sex organs to the fascinating biochemistry behind sexual attraction, How Sex Works presents captivating new ideas and surprising answers to questions  about contraception, fertility, circumcision, menopause, STDs,  homosexuality, orgasms, and more. This is an entertaining, comprehensive exploration of culture, biology, and history that takes us far beyond  our common understanding of sex.Birds do it, bees do it, but why do humans do it? In this wide-ranging look at the evolutionary reasons for sex, physiologist and evolutionary biologist Moalem says that it’s all about shuffling the gene pool and getting rid of any unwelcome guests, such as viruses, that may have latched onto human DNA. But why is one particular person attracted to another? Moalem relays the latest research showing that smell plays a very important role in attraction, and that even our genes may influence one’s smell, and thus a person’s desirability, to others. Scientists have found that women tend to be attracted to different types of men at different points in their ovulation cycles (dark and handsome hunks at their height; sensitive, care-giving types at other times). Moalem (Survival of the Sickest) whizzes through his discussion of homosexuality, neglecting angles that would have added to the book, but readers will find thought-provoking material in his chapter on differences in sexual anatomy and on how chromosomes and body parts aren’t always what we expect them to be. Moalem writes fluidly for the general reader, and when he necessarily goes into graphic detail, he does it gracefully.  Quote:“An engaging synthesis of scientific research on why we humans experience our sexuality the way we do.” (Rachel P. Maines, PhD, Cornell University and author of The Technology of Orgasm: “Hysteria,” the Vibrator, and Women’s Sexual Satisfaction “HOW SEX WORKS is a must-buy for anyone interested in the ins and outs of why, psychologically and biologically, sex is about much, much more than the mere birds and bees.” (Nancy Redd, New York Times bestselling author of Body Drama)“Have you ever wondered HOW SEX WORKS? This book answers all of the questions you’ve ever wanted to know about how your body works sexually, but did not know where to find the answers. They are here!” (Dr. Beverly Whipple, coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The G Spot: And Other Discoveries About Human Sexuality and The Science of Orgasm)“Moalem makes evolution sexy and sex astonishing. If you’ve ever been surprised by either your body or your heart, this book will probably tell you why.” (Kinney Zalesne, coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Microtrends: The Small Forces Behind Tomorrow’s Big Changes)“Packed with trivia about the evolutionary history, intricate mechanics, and nitty-gritty mysteries of sex, sexual organs, and desire, Sharon Moalem’s How Sex Works manages to inject science writing with the prurient thrill of a gossip rag.” (O magazine)“Read this book and discover sex again, but from a scientific perspective, and see why it evolved. It’s almost as much fun, and needs less energy.” (Peter Macinnis, science writer and author of 100 Discoveries: The Greatest Breakthroughs in History and Mr Darwin’s Incredible Shrinking World )“Sharon Moalem’s new book goes far beyond the typical ‘birds and bees’ sex talk. The neurogeneticist delves deep into human sexuality, and comes to some surprising conclusions.” (Daily Beast)Dr. Sharon Moalem is an award-winning neurogeneticist and evolutionary biologist, with a Ph.D. in human physiology. His research brings evolution, genetics, biology, and medicine together to explain how the body works in new and fascinating ways. He and his work have been featured on CNN, in the New York Times, on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, on The Today Show, and in magazines such as New Scientist, Elle, and Martha Stewart’s Body + Soul. Dr. Moalem’s first book was the New York Times bestseller Survival of the Sickest. He lives in New York City.Bitrate: 96 kbps