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The Intimate Sex Lives of Famous People
This encyclopedia looks at the sexual habits, deviations and quirks of nearly 200 famous, notorious or otherwise distinguished people from all walks of life. Each entry describes the subject's fame and achievements, and within this context examines their sexual activities. The entries are preceded by over 50 lists of sexual characteristics in which the subjects of the biographies are listed under such headings as mother-fixated, masochists and sadists, and endurance and staying power. Characters featured include Henry VIII, Napoleon Bonaparte, Catherine the Great, Marilyn Monroe, Janis Joplin and Mozart.
618 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1976
About the author
Irving Wallace
111 books278 followersIrving Wallace was an American bestselling author and screenwriter. His extensively researched books included such page-turners as The Chapman Report (1960), about human sexuality; The Prize (1962), a fictional behind-the-scenes account of the Nobel Prizes; The Man, about a black man becoming president of the U.S. in the 1960s; and The Word (1972), about the discovery of a new gospel.
Wallace was born in Chicago, Illinois. Wallace grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was the father of Olympic historian David Wallechinsky and author Amy Wallace.
Wallace began selling stories to magazines when he was a teenager. In World War II Wallace served in the Frank Capra unit in Fort Fox along with Theodor Seuss Geisel - more popularly known as Dr Seuss - and continued to write for magazines. He also served in the First Motion Picture Unit of the Army Air Force. In the years immediately following World war II Wallace became a Hollywood screenwriter. He collaborated on such films as The West Point Story (1950), Split Second (1953),and Meet Me at the Fair (1953).
After several years in Hollywood, he devoted himself full-time to writing books. Wallace published 33 books during his lifetime.
Wallace was born in Chicago, Illinois. Wallace grew up in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was the father of Olympic historian David Wallechinsky and author Amy Wallace.
Wallace began selling stories to magazines when he was a teenager. In World War II Wallace served in the Frank Capra unit in Fort Fox along with Theodor Seuss Geisel - more popularly known as Dr Seuss - and continued to write for magazines. He also served in the First Motion Picture Unit of the Army Air Force. In the years immediately following World war II Wallace became a Hollywood screenwriter. He collaborated on such films as The West Point Story (1950), Split Second (1953),and Meet Me at the Fair (1953).
After several years in Hollywood, he devoted himself full-time to writing books. Wallace published 33 books during his lifetime.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 17, 2010
This book chronicles the sex lives of a wide variety of people throughout history, organized by occupation: from artists to scientists to politicians to royalty to activists and so on. I wish more non-Western people had been profiled, though. The book is written in a very professional, encyclopedic tone. Each entry has a biographical sketch of the person, a picture of them, information on their sex/love life, a quote from them on that subject, and suggestions for further reading.
I was very surprised by some of the things I learned. For example, Havelock Ellis, who was basically the father of modern sexology, was impotent until he was 60 years old.
Because of the way the book is designed, it's not meant to be read in one sitting. (And you probably couldn't anyway; it's very long.) I would recommend it as bedside-table reading or even toilet reading; each entry is about the right length for that. Anyone who is interested in sex trivia or historical trivia would enjoy this.
I was very surprised by some of the things I learned. For example, Havelock Ellis, who was basically the father of modern sexology, was impotent until he was 60 years old.
Because of the way the book is designed, it's not meant to be read in one sitting. (And you probably couldn't anyway; it's very long.) I would recommend it as bedside-table reading or even toilet reading; each entry is about the right length for that. Anyone who is interested in sex trivia or historical trivia would enjoy this.
July 16, 2016
Very interesting read. Great deal of research went into this however some of the subjects seemed to be included simply because they had had sex one time or another. I expected more odd revelations in terms of quirks. Still, I was surprised with many of the varied relationships that had developed in terms of open marriages. Good beach book.
August 1, 2020
I purchased this long ago, and it was not until a couple of years ago that I began reading it from cover to cover. In fact, I did so twice. It was my favorite companion volume for visits to the toilet for a good long time, and it will be difficult to replace.
This book provides 2-3 page histories of the love lives of a number of famous people throughout history, illustrated with black and white photos and artwork. It is well organized and researched. Each entry provides a brief look at the subject's life and personality, and a (usually longer) discussion of his or her love life. There are world leaders, famous writers, explorers, philosophers, composers, religious leaders, et cetera, some from the 20th century, and many from before. What is not clear is why some people were selected while others were not; it may have had something to do with how much information was available. For example, characters like Casanova and Samuel Pepys left behind diaries full of intimate details.
All of it was interesting to me, but there were some parts I especially enjoyed--for example, the portrayals of famous lovers and sex symbols of the past. Have you heard of Lillie Langtry, Cora Pearl, Josephine Baker, Ninon de Lenclos, or La Belle Otero? The jet set playboy is a character who never appears in the media anymore, but I bet he still exists somewhere. There used to be famous ones like King Farouk (the last monarch of Egypt), Porfiro Rubirosa (the classic Latin Lover), and Prince Aly Khan (who practiced the Arabic sexual art of imsak, a type of delayed gratification).
It was also valuable to see some of the subjects who struggled with their sex lives, even while succeeding greatly in other areas of life. There was Big Bill Tilden, one of the greatest tennis players ever, who was a closeted gay man. Hans Christian Andersen, a solitary and lonely man, never got beyond being an ugly duckling. Lawrence of Arabia, who had a thing for being "birched." Clara Bow, the Hollywood It Girl of the 1920s, who eventually settled down, but ended up bonkers and separated from her husband. The authors try, and succeed, to end on an upbeat note, with portrayals of a number of happy couples, who apparently enjoyed loving and lasting relationships.
Pick this up for your bathroom. You will not regret it.
This book provides 2-3 page histories of the love lives of a number of famous people throughout history, illustrated with black and white photos and artwork. It is well organized and researched. Each entry provides a brief look at the subject's life and personality, and a (usually longer) discussion of his or her love life. There are world leaders, famous writers, explorers, philosophers, composers, religious leaders, et cetera, some from the 20th century, and many from before. What is not clear is why some people were selected while others were not; it may have had something to do with how much information was available. For example, characters like Casanova and Samuel Pepys left behind diaries full of intimate details.
All of it was interesting to me, but there were some parts I especially enjoyed--for example, the portrayals of famous lovers and sex symbols of the past. Have you heard of Lillie Langtry, Cora Pearl, Josephine Baker, Ninon de Lenclos, or La Belle Otero? The jet set playboy is a character who never appears in the media anymore, but I bet he still exists somewhere. There used to be famous ones like King Farouk (the last monarch of Egypt), Porfiro Rubirosa (the classic Latin Lover), and Prince Aly Khan (who practiced the Arabic sexual art of imsak, a type of delayed gratification).
It was also valuable to see some of the subjects who struggled with their sex lives, even while succeeding greatly in other areas of life. There was Big Bill Tilden, one of the greatest tennis players ever, who was a closeted gay man. Hans Christian Andersen, a solitary and lonely man, never got beyond being an ugly duckling. Lawrence of Arabia, who had a thing for being "birched." Clara Bow, the Hollywood It Girl of the 1920s, who eventually settled down, but ended up bonkers and separated from her husband. The authors try, and succeed, to end on an upbeat note, with portrayals of a number of happy couples, who apparently enjoyed loving and lasting relationships.
Pick this up for your bathroom. You will not regret it.
January 8, 2014
This is my favorite book from childhood. I swiped it from my parents shelf and devoured it in two afternoons. It's a great reference book for those who want to know who certain people were, and then, there is the sex. Heh. The less said, the better. If you get easily disgusted and need your smelling salts, don't read this one. If, like me, you have been curious from an early age, then dive right in, or muff dive if you're Virginia Woolf or Colette. Lolololol. Okay, I like tasteless jokes and if you don't - boo.
January 31, 2009
My REALLY guilty pleasure. Found while helping my sister move, and borrowed it. It's fascinating, and easy to pick up and put down when you need to. It's an older book (1981) so the current rock stars are Joplin and Hendrix, but oh well. It does get tiring to read about the many, many degenerate Victorian writers and artists.
August 20, 2011
I have read this book several times over the years. It is constantly interesting, not specifically for the sex content but because it gives detailed biographical portraits of fascinating people. I recommend skipping around the book, reading them in the order that catches your attention, but go back to the stories you skipped -- you will meet some pretty cool people.
July 8, 2016
Must admit this was a long read. BUT WORTH IT!!!
The details, juicey tidbits, the people... All very interesting.
(Personally I loved the writers, Royals and Rockers!!)
The movie stars section did nothing for me, "more been there seen that"...
All in all Terrific read, passed it on to a friend and hope she enjoys it as much as I did!!!!!!
The details, juicey tidbits, the people... All very interesting.
(Personally I loved the writers, Royals and Rockers!!)
The movie stars section did nothing for me, "more been there seen that"...
All in all Terrific read, passed it on to a friend and hope she enjoys it as much as I did!!!!!!
September 28, 2007
Absolutely fun and fascinating. My parents have this book at their house and I used to sneak reads of it all of the time growing up. It was amazing to read about the sex lives of everyone from Cassanova to Ghandi in this book.
MUCH better than Us Weekly or People Magazine! ")
MUCH better than Us Weekly or People Magazine! ")
February 24, 2008
this book is for people who "borrowed" a book and feel bad about never returning it but they live on the other side of the country now. and people who like sex and tabloids. and are nosy.
July 9, 2017
Don't let the title of this book mislead you. It was really fascinating and not graphic. It is written with a tone that sounds more as a psychology textbook and not as a E! True Hollywood Story.
March 14, 2010
love it to pieces, love it so frickin' much I actually mailed a letter to the publishers and asked them to publish a new edition that includes Robert Plant...but I think Robert Plant has to die before they will do that and I am not wishing death on Robert Plant...anyway, for a voyeur like me it is the perfect book to keep at my bedside
August 19, 2011
An informative and eye-opening book -- individual chapters are short/concise, but get to the point quickly and without any fuss (I'm totally devouring the chapters on artists and writers). The writing style is incredibly witty too. My attention has not wandered even once throughout perusing the text ;)!
September 30, 2011
These were short biographies of many old, famous people from the 1700s to the present. It was very good. It was just a short bit on the sex lives but Oh, My! People are strange! Really enjoyed this book.
March 28, 2007
A very interesting book!
September 9, 2007
9/5
-I found this one while looking for a Jackie Kennedy book. It should be interesting.
9/8
-I really like this one. It's funny and interesting. I'm just not sure if any of it is even true!
-I found this one while looking for a Jackie Kennedy book. It should be interesting.
9/8
-I really like this one. It's funny and interesting. I'm just not sure if any of it is even true!
July 3, 2008
More than you wanted to know about most of these people. Figures include authors, composers, actors, and politicians among others. Fascinating and fun.
May 16, 2009
Funny, often bawdy, and sometimes unbelievable.
September 17, 2009
Surprisingly prim and tiring (500+ pages)
April 7, 2010
Extremely enjoyable. great for a plane or beach or any other areas people do light reading. short informative sections on hundreds of celebs.
January 21, 2011
Guilty pleasure!
Well written.
Well written.
August 14, 2011
I think that this was the first book that I remember reading the phrase "contemplating his navel"!
August 23, 2014
This was one of my supplementary books when I was making case studies about psychosexual disorders among famous people.
February 11, 2015
The title catches the eye. The contents is of poor quality and quite judgemental. Maybe it would have been something out of the ordinary if written in the 40s. Today it's just dull. Another book for recycling.
Currently reading
August 17, 2012Damn!
May 16, 2019
This evaluation is made of the 2008 (revised) version of this book, in which several celebrities were added -- like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. My first reaction to reading this a reassurance that morals haven't necessarily gotten worse, they were appalling in previous generations too.
One of the most interesting things I learned in this book is that they do not believe that J Edgar Hoover was a homosexual. They give interesting reasons for their belief. At the end of the book, there are several pages of listings of sexual behaviors (late virginity losers, people with large organs, bigamists, etc.), and the people who exhibited those traits (people covered in the book).
There's a diverse gamut of celebrities described in this book. From popes to movie stars to philosophers to musicians to Carry Nation to Rasputin.
One of the most interesting things I learned in this book is that they do not believe that J Edgar Hoover was a homosexual. They give interesting reasons for their belief. At the end of the book, there are several pages of listings of sexual behaviors (late virginity losers, people with large organs, bigamists, etc.), and the people who exhibited those traits (people covered in the book).
There's a diverse gamut of celebrities described in this book. From popes to movie stars to philosophers to musicians to Carry Nation to Rasputin.
September 16, 2022
This book contains scandalous information about a lot of of famous people. Each person has a few pages dedicated to them, and the book is divided up by category. (Artists, Actors, Writers, etc.) It was like a little gossip book, but I had a great time reading it. It is a book that I do not plan to keep, so I wanted to hurry and read it so that I could continue with my pre-move downsizing mission. I was able to share some pretty interesting stuff with my sister, who is my book discussion buddy, and that was fun. I enjoyed this quite a lot.
September 22, 2019
The title of the book seems to make it sound salacious than it is.the people covered are wide and various.ths lives of each person is covered within one paragraph then goes onto detail their private life (between the sheets).where else can you read chapters as eclectic as Cleopatra,Gary cooper,and Charles Dickens.this book can be used for a introduction to other books that go into more detail on some of the individuals included.
June 26, 2021
I’ve read similar books to this one and found this one to be lacking. I think the main problem was that it tried covering too many people, so there was too much summarising and not enough detail. Also, I found myself skipping quite a few entries because I had not heard of some of the people included. There were also quite a few errors and overs simplifications made. (See the Van Gogh entry re his death.)
May 26, 2024
Honestly who wouldn't pick this one up? Inside you'll find more or less sordid secrets, facts and rumors on actors, artists, authors, modern authors, poets, musicians, politics, military leaders, capitalists, religious figures, psychologists, scientists, philosophers, courtesans, prostitutes, sex symbols (e.g. Jean Harlow or Marilyn Monroe). Quite an interesting and captivating read I can really recommend. With many photos included!
September 17, 2018
Great potential but
It gets boring after awhile because there are just too many people written about in this book. If someone isn’t very well known, better to just skip that chapter. And the bottom line is that most of these individuals had the same story. Lots of different lovers. With about 1/3 of the stories omitted this could have been a lot of fun.
It gets boring after awhile because there are just too many people written about in this book. If someone isn’t very well known, better to just skip that chapter. And the bottom line is that most of these individuals had the same story. Lots of different lovers. With about 1/3 of the stories omitted this could have been a lot of fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews