Rating: 
Summary: A quickie from Diamond
Review: A short, fun book from physiologist Diamond. Not up to the standard of the Third Chimpanzee or Guns, germs and steel, but a worthwile addition to the Science Masters series
Rating:
Summary: Just in case you needed explanation
Review: Actual content of this short work (only 146 pages) I would rate only 3 1/2 stars, mostly due to the lack of a bibliography, but Diamond makes up for everything with his reader friendly style, earning him 4 stars. He does present extensive additional reading materials and a complete index, so even with a lack of reference he does not leave you in the dark should you decide further study is in order.
`Why Sex Is Fun' is really just an anthropological muse, Diamond giving you the feeling that you are sitting in a café with him, kicking back, drinking some wine, and mulling over an interesting subject with well schooled friend.
He thoroughly examines the separation of man from ape in our breeding signals and patterns, but leaves out significant sociological factors that held the hand of the human boxes as we evolved up and away from lower-brained species, leaving behind many instinctual behaviors in favor of the intellectual.
However, from a strictly anthropological view, this book is interesting, well written, well formatted, and a welcome addition to Diamond's previous `Guns, Germs, and Steel' and `The Third Chimpanzee'.
You will find yourself pondering questions such as, Why do human females hide ovulation? Why do human females shut down fertility (menopause)? What is the benefit of the human female being receptive to $ex even when she is not ovulating? What makes human males `stick around' rather than spread their genes as far and wide as possible? Why don't men lactate? (*shudder*) And the favorite chapter for the ladies, What are men good for? Which studies the evolutionary role of the human male.
`Why Is Sex Fun?' is an informative read with a dash of fun, challenging enough for anthropology students and yet written for laymen to enjoy also. Have fun!
Rating:
Summary: A Quick Review
Review: As an opposite to the previous wordy reviews, if you found the and enjoyed The Rise and Fall of the Third Chimpanzee with its fluid writing and thought provoking insights you will enjoy this as well. For those who have not, the material disscusses ideas on why and how we are the way we are and what we do. Looking at the wide ranging impact our sexual behaviour has in shaping ourselves from an ecologists perspective. The title is a little sensationalist and the book provides a more widely accesible version some of the some of his books. It is shorter and has several chapters covered already in that book. With all that said though, after I had finished this book, it renewed my interest again I went and looked his earlier work. Anyway a brilliant introduction to the new reader and a refreshing reminder of his ealier work to the already familiar.
Rating: 
Summary: great book!
Review: Come on! How could a book with a title like that NOT get five stars? Why are there a bunch of swans on the cover?
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Summary: A supreme exercise in political correctness!
Review: Giving stars to rate this book is misleading. The book deserves five for style, but no more than three for content. Diamond is a convincing writer with an excellent prose style. He delves fully into his topics, presenting them lucidly, demonstrating an ability to think deeply before presenting his ideas to the reader. His GUNS, GERMS AND STEEL deserved every accolade it received. THE THIRD CHIMPANZEE was a fine example of innovative thinking, presented with clarity. He deserves full marks for challenging readers to consider their opinions and reflect on options previously unconsidered. You don't need to be a scientist to read him, you only need an open mind.Diamond's theme is that human sexuality is not just different from that of the other animals, but almost drastically so. Reproductive strategies range from 'r' [sow 'em and forget 'em] through 'K' [no sacrifice is too great] with humans almost the ultimate K practitioners. Evolutionary pressures on a creature that wasn't a good predator but fine prey led us down a path resulting in a massive investment in raising offspring. What are the implications of our version of sexual techniques? Human beings have evolved in a way that natural sexual signals have been buried out of sight. It's called concealed ovulation and methods of pinpointing when a woman was likely to conceive weren't developed until this century. Fish, birds, and other mammals [particularly baboons] exhibit colours, engage in ceremonial displays or have other visible indications that the time is right! But humans keep it a big secret. Is there a valid reason? And when a sexual coupling has generated a foetus, we put more time, energy and resources to its birthing and upbringing than nearly any other animal. Almost from the instant of conception the foetus and the mother are at war over resource allocation. Mum and babe each want the calcium, iron and other factors required by the one for survival and the other for growth. All this is pretty draining on Mum, who still has a life to lead while carrying that powerful parasite in her womb. And where's Hubby during all this? That is a major part of Diamond's account of human sex relations. Males invest minimal resources in producing offspring and in most mammal species, decamp after coupling. Human males, however, form part of the renowned 'nuclear family'. In the chapter "What Are Men Good For?" Diamond shows how and why human males are bonded to mates in a way few other species exhibit. One major aspect of this bond, of course, is the nearly constant availability of a sexual partner [NOT 'object']. From that derives that since human women can conceal their ovulation so well, he'd better stick around to ensure any other offspring are indeed his. Since she is receptive all the time and can conceive at some indeterminate time, he'd better be there at the right time. That this situation doesn't always keep males in line is exemplified by the study showing that up to 20 per cent of British babies were conceived by someone other than the purportive parent. Diamond goes to some effort to make human males more captive to their familial role than they might wish. As stated, the minimal expenditure of some sperm to occupy a mate for a year or so isn't always enough to foster a strong sense of responsibility in men. However, Diamond's proposed solution is one of the most astonishing ideas submitted by anyone yet. He suggests that hormonal treatments for men, inducing lactation and giving men the chance to learn the meaning of nurturing. How much more 'politically correct' can one be? One hopes this chapter was written because of Marie adopting a Lysistratian role, witholding favours until Diamond acceded to her demand for its inclusion. That, or some life- threatening gesture are the only acceptable reasons for a man of Diamond's qualifications trying to reverse the whole course of evolution and make humans even more unique among the animals than they already are. There are enough feminists out there trying to reverse the status evolution has given us. Diamond's suggestion nearly invalidates an otherwise captivating and informative book.
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Summary: Entertaining, yes, but also important
Review: I admit also being tempted to talk about the book's entertainment value, of the author's light and witty style and his interesting anecdotes. However, the title and style belie the critically important nature of the subject: the origin of human sexual behavior, which is such a major part of human behavior in general, both good and bad. The rather sour reviewer below makes a good point that the book contains material familiar to those of us already acquainted with the subject, but that in no way detracts from its value. In my experience, most people, even those otherwise sophisticated and well-educated, do not sufficiently appreciate the importance of evolution. Though they may understand it intellectually, they fail to see evolutionary forces playing a fundamental role in human behavior, and therefore constantly misdiagnose problems and prescribe inappropriate solutions. Their number includes Christians, feminists, and those dealing with racial issues on both sides of the political spectrum--a fairly large chunk of society. Personally, I am here at Amazon to send copies to three friends, all educated at top universities, one a professor of chemistry in one of India's most elite universities. I expect that they will get something out of it, although the (feminist) professor may not take it quite the way I want.... OK, one comment on the book's fun nature: It is fascinating to read anecdotes from Diamond's studies of primates and hunter-gatherer societies, same as it was reading anecdotes about ants and termites in the books by Edward O. Wilson. I'd like to take Wilson and Diamond to lunch someday, and just sit back and listen.
Rating: 
Summary: Chatty Pseudo-science
Review: I can't say how disappointing this book is. Its chatty and informal style does nothing to give confidence that the numerous holes in the logic are gappable. The suspicion that Diamond is cynically cashing in on the "By the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning 'Guns, Germs and Steel'" stamped on the cover is unavoidable.
I hope they sell enough to justify destroying Diamond's literary-scientific reputation.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing New
Review: I cannot recommend this book. I checked it out from the local library and did read all 146 pages. I know enough about evolution to get a charge out of the intellectual game of searching for ecological payoffs for human behaviors. This book could serve as an introduction to someone with no knowledge about evolution and wishes a leisurely book to read. There are large preparatory segments from the natural history of other animals followed by an exploration of the causes of similar behaviors in humans. Few of the cases are solidly defended. Diamond write for Discover Magazine. I enjoy that magazine for presenting current and unfamiliar research. It is refreshing that there is debate and ongoing science. But this book is not addressing new topics. Discover Magazine and the book jacket mention "Why is the human penis so unnecessarily large?" The use of the word "unnecessarily" indicates an ability to judge. The ability does not exist and makes a weak ending to the book. This deceptive advertising, the low number of pages many of which are used to give basic natural history lessons, and the FEW NEW arguments make this book too expensive at $20.
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Summary: Parenthood
Review: I enjoyed this book far more than others I have read on the same topic. It doesn't pretend to be comprehensive but does highlight various issues in an almost topic essay style. The topics - why don't men lactate? why do women experience the menopause? why do human females have hidden ovulation (and associated continuous interest)? ...... However, I am disturbed by one aspect of this book - the thesis that evolution has developed a strategy for an outcome. My behaviour is certainly not one designed overtly to perpetuate the species or to pass on my genes. It seems to me that people - and far less animals - are very unlikely to have developed strategies that have resulted in us being where we are today. Much more likely is the possibility that we are here today - and the other animals - because we happen to have certain behavioural characteristics. Is it important? What if, as a species, humankind had behaved differently? My suspicion is that the variety of (successful) animal behaviours described by Mr Diamond and others, indicates that behaviour may not have such an important role as might have been suspected. My other concern is that, for people anyway, Mr Diamond seems to suggest that human behaviour is consistent - that we don't change as we age, as we develop family ties and responsibilities. What is the role of parenthood in our behaviour and its changes? Perhaps someone needs to write 'Why Parenthood is Fun?' It is undoubtedly a terrific challenge to gestate and then rear a child, but it is also so rewarding even when it impoverishes other aspects of our life. 'Germs, Guns and Steel' - one of the worst titled books I think I've ever come across - was one of my top reads in 2000. I think that the book I am reviewing here shows again Mr Diamond's clear thinking style of prose that is a pleasure to read.
Rating:
Summary: Parenthood
Review: I enjoyed this book far more than others I have read on the same topic. It doesn't pretend to be comprehensive but does highlight various issues in an almost topic essay style. The topics - why don't men lactate? why do women experience the menopause? why do human females have hidden ovulation (and associated continuous interest)? ...... However, I am disturbed by one aspect of this book - the thesis that evolution has developed a strategy for an outcome. My behaviour is certainly not one designed overtly to perpetuate the species or to pass on my genes. It seems to me that people - and far less animals - are very unlikely to have developed strategies that have resulted in us being where we are today. Much more likely is the possibility that we are here today - and the other animals - because we happen to have certain behavioural characteristics. Is it important? What if, as a species, humankind had behaved differently? My suspicion is that the variety of (successful) animal behaviours described by Mr Diamond and others, indicates that behaviour may not have such an important role as might have been suspected. My other concern is that, for people anyway, Mr Diamond seems to suggest that human behaviour is consistent - that we don't change as we age, as we develop family ties and responsibilities. What is the role of parenthood in our behaviour and its changes? Perhaps someone needs to write 'Why Parenthood is Fun?' It is undoubtedly a terrific challenge to gestate and then rear a child, but it is also so rewarding even when it impoverishes other aspects of our life. 'Germs, Guns and Steel' - one of the worst titled books I think I've ever come across - was one of my top reads in 2000. I think that the book I am reviewing here shows again Mr Diamond's clear thinking style of prose that is a pleasure to read.
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