Sex in Middlesex

By Roger Thompson,

Book cover of Sex in Middlesex: Popular Mores in a Massachusetts County, 1649-1699

Book description

"Thompson analyzes the court records of 17th century Middlesex County, searching for such sexually related crimes as fornication, breach of promise, sexual deviancy, and adultery. His findings help shatter the traditional historical caricature of New England Puritans as patriarchal, dour wife-beaters and child-abusers, a myth eloquently created by Perry Miller…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Sex in Middlesex as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Well, the title was amusing. The rest of the book was fascinating, alarming, and totally surprising for an author who was researching the lives of Puritans in early New England. The public records, Puritan laws, along with Thompson’s analysis opened up a world of new information and removed every myth I’d heard about these staunchly religious people.

From Karen's list on 17th century America.

Want books like Sex in Middlesex?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 88 books like Sex in Middlesex.

Browse books like Sex in Middlesex

Book cover of Entertaining Satan: Witchcraft and the Culture of Early New England
Book cover of The Winthrop Woman
Book cover of Mary Dyer: Biography of a Rebel Quaker

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,578

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in the Puritans, Massachusetts, and New England?

The Puritans 37 books
Massachusetts 150 books
New England 113 books