Until the middle of the 20th century, sexual psychology and physiology were practically not studied, as if sex were a shameful secret, and not a common biological phenomenon. The state of this science of sex and the behavior of scientists was determined by fear - they were afraid of public opinion, religious intolerance, political pressure, fanaticism and prejudice. Now that the significance of this area is fully appreciated by society, it is difficult to even imagine what the pioneers of laboratory sex had to face. However, even today, few people think about the fact that experts study sex, like any other aspect of human physiology. Masterfully combining scientific enthusiasm, journalistic emancipation, saving humor and invariable taste, Mary Roach tells how and why this science developed.