Publisher's Weekly Review

Notable Jewish names in sexuality, religion, and medicine tackle, with remarkable frankness but without novelty, questions of morality and propriety surrounding dating, sexual behavior, and pornography in this academic volume. Four case studies present couples struggling with sexual issues of ambiguous morality. The relevant biblical, rabbinic, and contemporary sources follow, including conservative and reform outlooks and the opinions of such pop culture Jewish figures as Shmuley Boteach and Ruth K. Westheimer. Offering the full gamut of perspectives, from adult entertainment mogul Ron Jeremy to orthodox rabbi Mark Dratch - and covering a broad spectrum of subjects (sex work, menage a trois, etc.) - the compilation provides many useful recommendations. But some of them seem self-evident: AIDS doctor Jeffrey Burack pleads for full and early disclosure of STDs to prospective partners, and Hanne Blank cautions against prostitution. Despite the fascination often associated with sex, this volume is somewhat dry and predictable. Nevertheless, the contributors do offer meaningful suggestions for honesty and emotional involvement on a subject matter that they believe contemporary society regards as taboo and impersonal. (May) Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.