FOR WANT OF TOUCH: The astonishing breadth of our passions.

"Fierce Desires: A New History of Sex and Sexuality in America" by Rebecca L. Davis is a comprehensive exploration of how cultural forces have shaped America's understanding of sex, sexuality, and gender expression from the 17th century to the present day. Davis covers a wide range of topics including slavery, Native American kinship structures, Mormon and Oneida communities, homosexuality in the Wild West, sex work and pornography, and the rise of queer communities in the 20th century. The book challenges the notion that progress towards individual freedom and acceptance of sex and gender nonconformity is inevitable, highlighting the backward direction that certain branches of science have taken in reinforcing racist stereotypes and pathologizing queer desire. While the book has some blind spots, its scope and synthesis of information make it a remarkable resource for understanding the history of sex and sexuality in America. [Extracted from the article]