Description

A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2022: POLITICS

Significant strides have been made in recent years in the movement for LGBTQ+ rights, visibility and empowerment, but the conversation is far from over. After years of feeling the crushing dearth of information on bisexuality, psychological scientist and bestselling author Dr Julia Shaw dug deep and found a colourful and fascinating world that she is bringing out of the shadows. It is a personal journey that starts with her own openly bisexual identity, and celebrates the resilience and beautiful diversity of the bi community.

In Bi: The Hidden Culture, History and Science of Bisexuality, Shaw explores all that we know about the world’s largest sexual minority. From the hunt for a bi gene, to the relationship between bisexuality and consensual non-monogamy, to asylum seekers who need to prove their bisexuality in a court of law, there is more to explore than most have ever realised. This rigorous and fun book will challenge us to think deeper about who we are and how we love.

Publisher Review

A lively rollercoaster ride through all things bisexual. Full of fascinating facts, up-to-date stats, pop culture references and thoughtful analysis, the book covers everything from bi animals to political scandals, from exclusions in queer spaces to threesomes. Julia writes eloquently and engagingly, sharing moments from her own journey along the way. A must-have for every queer bookcase -- MEG-JOHN BARKER * * author of Queer: A Graphic History * * It's fabulous, brilliantly done, and so important. Julia Shaw has written the Bi bible. The hidden history and public face of millions of people. Fun, moving and skilful all at once -- PROFESSOR ANDREW REYNOLDS, founder of Queer Politics at Princeton University Endlessly illuminating, challenging and compelling. Bi is a vivid and vital read -- MUSA OKWONGA, author and co-host of the Stadio Podcast Julia Shaw's book is an incredible resource for anyone wishing to learn more about bisexuality. Whether you're a beginner or expert, this book is certain to teach you something new. Shaw takes her readers on a tour through bisexual history, studies, and data in diverse fields and areas, all presented in an informative and accessible style. This is a fascinating read -- SHIRI EISNER, author of Bi: Notes for a Bisexual Revolution Praise for Making Evil: Julia Shaw has crafted a brilliant panorama that elucidates humanity's dark side in her masterpiece, Making Evil -- PHILIP ZIMBARDO, author of The Lucifer Effect Warmly, chattily written . . . Shaw draws knowledgeably on psychological and neuroscientific research * * Guardian * * Most of it is unsettling . . . It's also rational, intelligent and necessary * * Herald * * A book that will provide you with the kind of anecdotes I cherish, but will make you a terrifying date on Match.com * * The Times * * If you are interested in evil, the science behind evil, there are so many studies contained within this book . . . a very entertaining book about evil * * BBC Radio 5 * * Curious readers will be riveted by Shaw's deliberate, rational discussions of such taboos as cyberbullying, homicide, pedophilia and the ways money and power corrupt the souls of formerly good men and women . . . Capably written with a smooth mix of scientific insight and theoretical thought, the book will hopefully inspire empathy and understanding rather than hysteria and condemnation . . . A consistently fascinating journey into the darker sides of the human condition that will push on the boundaries of readers' comfort zones * * Kirkus * *