Cultural encyclopedia of the penis

About this book

This A-to-Z encyclopedia explores the cultural meanings, interpretations, and activities associated with the penis over the centuries and across cultures. Scholars, activists, researchers and clinicians delve into the penis in antiquity, in art, in religion, in politics, in media, in music, and in the cultural imagination. They examine the penis as a problem, a fetishized commodity, a weapon, an object of play. Penile décor and fashions--from piercings to koteka--are treated with equal dignity. Explanation of common medical terms and not-so-common subcultural practices add to the broad scope of the book.