‘Sex underlies human existence, and if human life is sacred, how can sex not be?’ As squeamish as India is today about sex, this is also the land where queens once copulated with head horses at religious ceremonies, where the art of love-making was declared the revelation of the gods and recorded in elaborate detail in the kama sutras and prostitution was a form of sacred offering at temples adorned with erotic sculptures. Using India as a paradigm, Rita Banerji illustrates that sexual morality is not an absolute but a facet of living that undergoes periodic upheavals. She delineates four major periods in Indian history when there were significant shifts in the collective social perception of sex and sexuality, and the associated customs and beliefs. What causes this revision in sexual ethos? To explain this, Sex and Power proposes a modified version of Nietzsche’s slave versus master morality theory. The theory, which is tested against the dynamics of each of the four defined periods, establishes that the moral overview of any given period is determined not by a set of pre-existing ethics but by the existent power structure of the period in question. The accepted moral code actually serves the party in power. How would this theory play out in the context of India today? Banerji examines this question at length as one of extreme urgency, and concludes that the three most burning issues facing the country today—population explosion, AIDS and female genocide—are the manifestations of a collective sexual malfunctioning of society and need to be redressed in the context of an existent social and economic power hierarchy.

As in the bestselling The Alphabet Versus the Goddess, Leonard Shlain’s provocative new book promises to change the way readers view themselves and where they came from. Sex, Time, and Power offers a tantalizing answer to an age-old question: Why did big-brained Homo sapiens suddenly emerge some 150,000 years ago? The key, according to Shlain, is female sexuality. Drawing on an awesome breadth of research, he shows how, long ago, the narrowness of the newly bipedal human female’s pelvis and the increasing size of infants’ heads precipitated a crisis for the species. Natural selection allowed for the adaptation of the human female to this environmental stress by reconfiguring her hormonal cycles, entraining them with the periodicity of the moon. The results, however, did much more than ensure our existence; they imbued women with the concept of time, and gave them control over sex—a power that males sought to reclaim. And the possibility of achieving immortality through heirs drove men to construct patriarchal cultures that went on to dominate so much of human history. From the nature of courtship to the evolution of language, Shlain’s brilliant and wide-ranging exploration stimulates new thinking about very old matters.

Mitochondria are tiny structures located inside our cells that carry out the essential task of producing energy for the cell. They are found in all complex living things, and in that sense, they are fundamental for driving complex life on the planet. But there is much more to them than that. Mitochondria have their own DNA, with their own small collection of genes, separate from those in the cell nucleus. It is thought that they were once bacteria living independent lives. Their enslavement within the larger cell was a turning point in the evolution of life, enabling the development of complex organisms and, closely related, the origin of two sexes. Unlike the DNA in the nucleus, mitochondrial DNA is passed down exclusively (or almost exclusively) via the female line. That's why it has been used by some researchers to trace human ancestry daughter-to-mother, to 'Mitochondrial Eve'. Mitochondria give us important information about our evolutionary history. And that's not all. Mitochondrial genes mutate much faster than those in the nucleus because of the free radicals produced in their energy-generating role. This high mutation rate lies behind our ageing and certain congenital diseases. The latest research suggests that mitochondria play a key role in degenerative diseases such as cancer, through their involvement in precipitating cell suicide. Mitochondria, then, are pivotal in power, sex, and suicide. In this fascinating and thought-provoking book, Nick Lane brings together the latest research findings in this exciting field to show how our growing understanding of mitochondria is shedding light on how complex life evolved, why sex arose (why don't we just bud?), and why we age and die. This understanding is of fundamental importance, both in understanding how we and all other complex life came to be, but also in order to be able to control our own illnesses, and delay our degeneration and death. 'An extraordinary account of groundbreaking modern science... The book abounds with interesting and important ideas.' Mark Ridley, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford

Can power be wielded with integrity and responsibility? How do we oppose domination and power without using force or escalating conflict? Author and former UNESCO consultant Scilla Elworthy, Ph.D., takes on these timely and important issues in her groundbreaking book. Dr. Elworthy calls upon men and women to replace their distorted notions of "male" power and domination with a new, inner power, developed through the body, mind, and spirit. This power, she asserts, is available equally to men and women; it is rooted in the power of union, balancing the male and female elements in everyone. This union also offers men and women a more natural and fearless approach to sex and sensuality. In Power and Sex, we see how in both personal and public life, the inner fusion of masculine and feminine energies are the answer to the kind of power the world needs today. Readers can use this book to bring power into their lives without taking it away from others. With it, you can transform yourself and your world.

Drawing on actual incidents, in-depth research, and his extensive professional expertise, the author of Sex in the Forbidden Zone presents an indispensable manual on sexual harassment--what it is, why it occurs, and how to prevent it.

Rebecca Rosenblat, psychotherapist, relationship-sexuality therapist, bestselling author and TV show host (her Sex @ 11 With Rebecca TV show out-draws David Letterman), asks: Are you in charge of your life and living out your dreams; or are you giving into others' rules and expectations? It's time to take control, without anyone holding you back. This book will help you succeed at everything. You'll learn to connect with yourself, find meaning, build self-esteem, harness your power and become unstoppable! Sexual power is the true equalizing force that'll empower you to achieve all you've longed for in love, work and life: You've got it, now use it! "Rebecca Rosenblat presents a unique, uncompromising woman's viewpoint on sexual behaviour. Using popular culture, recent research, her personal history and therapist experience, she confronts/debunks antiquated assumptions and gives savvy practical advice. Refreshingly unashamed, unapologetically unconventional, sometimes shocking, this book should be an eye-opener for any woman or man who suffers under the delusion that women are the weaker sex." - Dr. Bruce Herzog, psychoanalyst "Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to our Sexuality. We must claim and own our needs and desires. Sexual freedom is born when we can communicate our needs and desires to others; sexual power is born when we can communicate these things to ourselves. Rebecca helps you achieve both." - Mercedes Jones, TV Host, Bringing Sexy Back "Sexual Power fully engulfs you with its raw, honest brilliance." - Jaime Silk, self-esteem therapist

Sex, Power and Consent: Youth Culture and the Unwritten Rules draws on the real world stories and experiences of young women and young men - as told in their own words - regarding love, sex, relationships and negotiating consent. Judicious reference to feminist and sociological theory underpins explicit connections between young people's lived experience and current international debates. Issues surrounding youth sex within popular culture, sexuality education and sexual violence prevention are thoroughly explored. In a clear, incisive and eminently readable manner, Anastasia Powell develops a compelling framework for understanding the 'unwritten rules' and the gendered power relations in which sexual negotiations take place. Ultimately Sex, Power and Consent provides practical strategies for young people, and those working with them, toward the prevention of sexual violence.