Bi

The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality

By: Julia Shaw

Narrated by: Julia Shaw

A provocative, eye-opening, and original book on the science of sexuality beyond gender from an internationally bestselling pop-psychologist

Despite all the welcome changes that have happened in our culture and laws over the past few decades in regards to sexuality, the subject remains one of the most influential but least understood aspects of our lives. For psychologist and bestselling author Julia Shaw, this is both professional and personal—Shaw studies the science of sexuality and she herself is proudly and vocally bisexual.

It’s an admission, she writes, that usually causes people’s pupils to dilate, their cheeks to flush, and their questions to start flowing. Ask people to name famous bisexual actors, politicians, writers, or scientists, and they draw a blank. Despite statistics that show bisexuality is more common than homosexuality, bisexuality is often invisible.

©2022 Julia Shaw (P)2022 Cannongate Books

I'm coming out!!!

I adored this book because it validated my feelings as a bisexual person, making me feel less isolated. The historical aspects were fascinating, too. It inspires me to embrace my authentic bisexual identity and be a visible support for others who may be navigating their own bi journey. Julia also did a great job reading the book. I highly recommend to anyone in the LGBTQIA community to read this or anyone who has loved ones in the community to read it as well.

It’s probably better to read this one.

I will admit that I didn’t quite finish this book because I reached a place where I couldn’t justify spending any more of my time listening to someone who is a better author than narrator. By the time I heard Ms. Shaw render “mores” as “morz” instead of môr′āz′, I decided to archive this title for good. It might seem petty to let this bother me that much, but I had been tolerating her over-voicing of the “I” in words like “organIzation” throughout the book and, more to the point, such mishandling of common words is but a small symptom of the larger problem: Authors who read their own work without possessing the talent and skill that are NECESSARY to express the full character of their texts. My complaint is not only about authors/narrators who fail to take just a moment to make sure they know how words are properly pronounced; it’s about the failure on the part of everyone involved in audiobook production to understand or sufficiently value how vital good phrasing, accent, and vocal timbre (and—to the narrator of Alex Ross’s “The Rest Is Noise”—this should be tăm′bər and not sound like the word shouted as a tree is falling) are in telling stories. I’m just going to have to sample books more carefully from now on because I’m tired of having to get past performance to get at ideas meaningfully.

And, lest anyone think this critique is just an indirect expression of anti-bi bias, I am bisexual. I need perspective like this book can provide, and it heartens me that there are researchers like Ms. Shaw doing this kind of work. Its importance, though, only highlights the need for excellence in everything done to bring it into the public mind and, on this front, this audio presentation fails, no matter how good-natured and earnest Ms. Shaw may sound.

Essential for all Queer Folk

This book does a beautiful job of situation the bi and queer experience within a global lens, which is something often lacking in Western conversations within the queer community.

Bravo!

Everything I’ve been trying to say about being bi—but didn’t have the historical or scientific words to back me up. I can’t wait to recommend this to all the B’s I know. AND to pass it along to the straight people in our lives who still don’t quite get it. The book is easy to read and approachable. Great work, Dr. Shaw!

Amazingly Bi

I love everything about this book and everything Dr. Shaw talks about. It’s welcoming to see a book go so in depth with Bisexuality. Important for Bisexuals everywhere.

stats were enlightening and somewhat surprising

I have been involved in the swing lifestyle for many years. Many in the lifestyle are bi. I would be interested the learn more about the science driving stag or cuck behavior among bi males in the lifestyle. not a lot was mentioned regarding this but the topics that were address were quite interesting

really enjoyed this read

I really enjoyed this read. I learned so much about bi history and culture, hope the author writes more books about bisexuality.

Thank you!

Super informative and a book I’d recommend to any/all humans - regardless of sexual orientation. Narration is lovely as well.

Informative beyond belief

So insightful as a bisexual male. Previously married to a male, Happily married beyond belief to a woman now.

As a certified crisis counselor, this book has brought immense knowledge to myself! I recommend to anybody, beyond LGBTQIA.

INDISPENSABLE!

…And not just for members of the bisexual community, but for anyone who wants to learn to understand. An excellent choice for allies everywhere!

After starting this book on Audible, I bought a hardcover copy for myself, and a paperback for a friend.

Dr. Julia Shaw is a godsend with her careful, meticulous research and demonstrable passion to uncover answers.

I came out 25 years ago, And boy do I wish I had even 10% of this information at that time!

The most enjoyable part of the book is the way in which Dr. Shaw writes, every minute of listening I have felt as though I was sitting with an inspiring, incredibly knowledgeable, best friend, cheerleader, and coach.

If only one day we could see Dr. Shaw’s book “Bi” in schools, there would certainly be teenagers growing up feeling not completely abnormal.

I will be recommending this book to everyone I meet!

Excellent resources, you’ll want to Google just about every single thing she mentions!