Human Sexuality is a textbook about human sexuality by the neuroscientist Simon LeVay and Sharon Valente. The book received positive reviews, praising it as a well written book that covered multiple topics and issues related to sex.
The book was first published in 2003 by W. H. Freeman and Company. Subsequent editions have been published by Sinauer Associates, with the second edition appearing in 2006, the third in 2009, and the fourth in 2012. Starting with the third edition, Valente was replaced as a co-author by the sociologist Janice Baldwin.
Reception
The first edition of Human Sexuality received positive reviews from William Byne in JAMA and the neuroscientist Marc Breedlove in the Archives of Sexual Behavior. The second edition received positive reviews from Byne in JAMA and Sari M. van Anders in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, and the third and fourth editions received positive reviews from Sigmund Hough in Sexuality and Disability. Byne described the first edition as "an exceptional preclinical primer that addresses nearly every aspect of sexuality from multiple theoretical, historical, and cultural perspectives" and suggested that it would "be an outstanding supplement to medical school and residency courses in sexuality." He wrote that it "provides both information and a model for thinking critically about the complex issues raised in the study of human sexuality." He praised LeVay's treatment of gender, and commended his neutrality in dealing with controversial subjects such as pornography and prostitution. Breedlove described the first edition as comprehensive, clearly written, well informed, and free of factual errors. He credited LeVay and Valente with discussing sex in a way that was "explicit without being judgmental", and with covering a wide range of topics. He also praised the art included in the book. Byne called the second edition "exceptional" and credited its authors with assessing "nearly every aspect of sexuality from multiple theoretical, historical, and cultural perspectives." Anders described the second edition as clearly written and full of "interesting facts and commentary". She considered it "exceptionally current, with up-to-date examples and content that will be relevant to students and instructors". She complimented its discussions of topics such as sexual anatomy, sexual differentiation, sexual behavior, and sexually transmitted diseases, though she noted that some topics were excluded and questioned some of the claims made. She concluded that despite these "caveats or quibbles", the book was an "extremely informative and engaging textbook". Hough called the third edition an "excellent college and introductory graduate textbook". He credited LeVay and Baldwin with covering many topics, and praised the illustrations included with their text, and the online resources associated with it. He also praised the fourth edition. In Evolution and Human Sexual Behavior, the anthropologist Peter B. Gray and Justin R. Garcia praised Human Sexuality, describing it as enjoyable to read.
