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Good grief, it’s a classic!

Does anyone remember the original “Joy of Sex” book? My parents had a hard copy, big thick book, white cover with gold writing, hidden in the cedar chest. Any ways … I was in an old book store and found this same book. When I opened it up, all the illustrations were coloured over in black. I asked the book store owner if he knew this book was like this. He told me that all copies of this book were to be blacked out because some law is saying it was pornography. Has anyone ever heard about this ? Blacking out certain pictures/ illustrations before being sold in seconds hand stores ? I think every parent back in the day had this book. It’s a classic!!

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meJess · F

First they are censored later they are burned. Can’t have people educated about sex, they might have opinions on healthcare.

chrisCA · M

My parents had that book on their bookshelf.
Nothing was blacked out.
It was an eye opener for me as a young teen.

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chrisCA · M

@JimboSaturn True. My parents also had Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex: But Were Afraid To Ask.

JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

@chrisCA See I think those are great to keep on your bookshelf for your kids to read like any other reference material. It should be a matter of fact education in my opinion.

chrisCA · M

@JimboSaturn To a point. I was a kid who was wiser than his years. I was more knowledge about some things compared to my peers.

Piper · 61-69, F

I remember it well. I worked for B. Dalton Bookseller in the late 70' and 80's and sold the book. Unlike some magazines like Playboy, Playgirl and similar but more hardcore magazines sold there, that book was not considered "porn".

That's really weird, about illusrations being blacked out. I do realize that books are being and have been banned or censored in certain venues, but never heard of of it being a law extending to a secondhand book store.

MaggieMay6255 · 51-55, F

@Piper I honestly don’t know if there is an actual law. This is what I was told. ( with blackout pages ). I hope it is not true. For this or any other book. ☹️

Piper · 61-69, F

@MaggieMay6255 I hope it isn't true, too. While there are books that a seller could reasonably want no part of offering for profit, blacking out illustrations in a book just sounds strange.

MaggieMay6255 · 51-55, F

@Piper I totally agree with you. Never seen that before. I have been to a lot of bookstores.

Convivial · 26-30, F

Sex is sinful, especially if you enjoy it!

Didn't you get the memo?

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

Yes. Have heard certain states were doing that. As well as out right bans on other old books.

One I remember that was completely banned, as well as even older than the Joy of sex, was called "Show me". It was an educational sex book.

You won't find it anywhere since it was banned in 1980.

MaggieMay6255 · 51-55, F

@DeWayfarer That’s crazy. 🤨

Justme22 · M

I have heard of that. I also remember the original book being behind a locked cabinet at the local public library. Since I worked there I could view it, because I knew where the keys were kept. But the rule was no one under 18 could.

MaggieMay6255 · 51-55, F

@Justme22 I can understand this but the book was intact tho?

Justme22 · M

@MaggieMay6255 It was intact but I have seen basically redacted books at used bookstores in the past.

JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

Very puritanical country.

chrisCA · M

@JimboSaturn Canada is more open about sex than some others.

Jungleman · M

nope, sounds like a book for heathens.

PhoenixPhail · M

That's so ridiculous.
It's a manual! An instruction book!

I wonder if surgeon's who operate on genitalia soon won't be allowed to see illustrations showing them how they need to operate.

I guess it's all part of being controlled on this prison planet. 😒

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bobhall5868 · 56-60, M

I remember the book, but never opened one....crazy that people want to censor sex, if it's in a book, who's it bothering unless you choose to open it???

oldercanuck1 · 70-79, M

Yes my parents had it as well ,, i remember finding it and enjoyed many a day ,, reading and looking at the photos ,,,

SW-User

looks like it's still available in the UK. Was the author Alex Comfort?

MaggieMay6255 · 51-55, F

@SW-User I believe so. It was from the late 70’s.

SW-User

@MaggieMay6255 1972 and with an updated edition in 2008

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Joy_of_Sex

olderuncle944 · 70-79, M

i have see the book but only read some of it i never did see one blacked out .i only saw the paperback version

SW-User

Yes I remember finding that on the book shelf at home when I was young.

MrAverage1965 · 61-69, M

I had a paperback copy

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chrisCA · M

@MaggieMay6255 The coffee table edition? 😁

BrokenAbyss

They’ll be banning sex next

Whodunnit · M

@BrokenAbyss I thought they already had?! 😧

MrTanner · M

Desecration!

MaggieMay6255 · 51-55, F

@MrTanner Right !! My goodness, like what the heck. lol

MrTanner · M

@MaggieMay6255 Only in (certain states of) America.

MaggieMay6255 · 51-55, F

I guess I am just naive to think that books that were common place would be censored like that.

MrTanner · M

@MaggieMay6255 Blame the so called Christians who would vote for the most ungodly candidate provided he promised to appoint the kind of judges who would stymie same gender marriage, deny kids sex education and pre8nent access to abortion.