Sex, after hunger, may be the most powerful motivating force in our lives. It drives us to seek intimate contact with others and to form relationships that may be fleeting or lifelong, blissful or troubled. Yet many mysteries surround sex and sexuality: Why don’t we reproduce by virgin birth? Why does so much of our sexual behavior have nothing to do with reproduction? Why isn’t everyone heterosexual? How does the brain create sexual arousal? How do sexual kinks develop? Is porn harmful? What is the relationship between sex and love?

In Attraction, Love, Sex, the renowned scholar Simon LeVay introduces readers to a memorable cast of researchers trying to answer these questions and many more. A biologist dredges a New Zealand lake for asexual mud snails. Psychologists measure whether eating a good meal changes a man’s idea of female beauty. Physiologists probe orifices with miniature toilet plungers and place lovers in brain scanners. Geneticists reconstruct the sex crimes of Genghis Khan. Neuroscientists create mice whose sexual behavior can be switched on and off. A zoologist traps and releases 260,000 voles and launches a new science of love.

LeVay distills vast expertise on the biology and psychology of sex into an engaging and easy-to-understand survey with scientific acumen, a critical eye, and a sense of humor. This book reveals how scientists are unraveling the secrets of sex and, in the process, shattering many traditional ideas and prejudices.

Simon LeVay introduces readers to a memorable cast of researchers trying to unravel the many mysteries that surround sex and sexuality. He distills vast expertise on the biology and psychology of sex into an engaging and easy-to-understand survey with scientific acumen, a critical eye, and a sense of humor.

Preface
1. Why Have Sex?
2. Attraction
3. Arousal
4. Orientation
5. Having Sex
6. Relationships
7. Paraphilias
8. Pedophilia
9. Porn
10. Rape
11. Love
Notes
Glossary
Index

[A] stimulating survey of the science of sexual desire… sheds light on a fundamental part of human life.

​An up-to-date, scientifically informed, original, and witty review of (almost) everything you always wanted to know about sex but might have been afraid to ask. ​Highly recommended.​

Attraction, Love, Sex takes readers on an entertaining journey through the world of sex research. LeVay is a very open intellect, keen to introduce people to these top-notch investigations.

Sex: who doesn’t want to know more about this primordial human drive? Simon LeVay tells all—its biology and the real science behind fantasies, porn, rape, and much more. It’s a fascinating read.

Simon LeVay highlights how science can help us understand our sexual psychology, from attraction and love to the darker sides of sexual behavior.