Overview

Boobs. Tits. Hooters. Knockers. Jugs. Breasts. We celebrate them; we revile them. They nourish us; they kill us. And regardless of what we call them, breasts have fascinated us since prehistoric times. This A-to-Z encyclopedia explores the historical magnitude and cultural significance of the breast over time and around the world. A team of international scholars from various disciplines provides key insights and information about the breast in art, history, fashion, social movements, medicine, sexuality, and more. Entries discuss depictions of breasts on ancient figurines, in Renaissance paintings, and in present-day advertisements. They examine how fashion has emphasized or de-emphasized the breast at various times. They tackle medical issues—such as breast augmentation and breast cancer—and controversies over breastfeeding. The breast as sexual object and even a site of smuggling are also covered. As a whole, the Cultural Encyclopedia of the Breast takes an engaging and accessible look at this notable body part.

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9780759123311

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Reviews

The first of its kind, a timely and much needed contribution to studies of this renowned body part and its cultural significance... the Cultural Encyclopedia of the Breast is an essential, empowering resource for anyone interested in understanding the historical magnitude and cultural importance of the breast. Breast Cancer Consortium This unusual encyclopedia focusing on the female breast is scholarly and exhaustive, yet pleasurable to read. It should find its place among one's favorite reference books. -- Marilyn Yalom, Stanford University; author of A History of the Breast Perhaps more than to any other body part, even her genitals, a woman's sexual and gendered sense of self may be tied to her breasts-a link fostered through social practices, cultural representations, and body politics. This transnational and interdisciplinary volume thoroughly explores the construction of rituals, laws, medical practices, entertainment, and art fixated on these fleshy organs. It is a deftly crafted and comprehensive work, deeply attentive to the breast in social context as well as persistent inequalities of gender, race, sexuality, age, ability, geography, and other markers of human status. -- Lisa Jean Moore, Purchase College, State University of New York

This unusual encyclopedia focusing on the female breast is scholarly and exhaustive, yet pleasurable to read. It should find its place among one's favorite reference books. -- Marilyn Yalom, Stanford University; author, A History of the Breast

Author Information

Merril D. Smith, PhD, is an independent scholar in National Park, NJ. She is the author or editor of several published works, including Encyclopedia of Rape, Women's Roles in Eighteenth-Century America and Sex and Sexuality in Early America. Smith holds a doctorate from Temple University.

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