A Brief History of Nakedness
Distributed for Reaktion Books
- Contents
- Review Quotes

1 Clothed with the Sky
2 Beside the Jhelum and the Jordan
3 Naked Rebellion
4 The Prime Minister of Britain has Nothing to Conceal
5 The Death of Shame
6 The Hero's Return
Postscript
References
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index
"I absolutely loved A Brief History of Nakedness. Besides being a fascinating read, it contains the most fun, intriguing, and diverse collection of nude photographs anywhere. A must for anyone interested in art, political activism, and cultural studies. This 'brief' history must have taken forever to research. It makes me want to rip off my clothes for a good cause immediately." --Annie Sprinkle PhD, artist / sexologist
"In this lucid and wide-ranging book Philip Carr-Gomm . . . strips bare the paradoxes of humanity's attitude toward its own naked figures. Using a snappy blend of history and imagery, he invites readers to join him in making thrilling, confusing, funny, and beautiful realizations about that simultaneously mysterious and obvious state of unclothedness. From the rituals of witchcraft to the human art installations of Spencer Tunick to the non-nakedness of the Naked Chef, Carr-Gomm offers the revelation that far from being merely a basic physical state, human nakedness - sacred, obscene - holds the key to understanding politics, culture, and our very nature as human beings."
"A Brief History of Nakedness admirably uncovers religious, political and popular performances of and reactions to nudity in a remarkable array of cultures. Everything from ancient religious devotional practices to recent streaking controversies is discussed in an expert and delightful manner."
"Not only the best book on its subject, but a marvellous read: racy, compassionate, candid and perceptive."
"This fascinating and richly-illustrated book traces the history of humanity's preoccupation with nakedness, revealing the ways in which bare bodies have been used to enlighten, empower or simply entertain us."--Bookseller
"Philip Carr-Gomm’s lushly illustrated book takes a long and enthusiastic look at the politics and culture of nakedness. Nudism attracts eccentrics, and their stories, he feels, deserve to be told . . . thought-provoking."–Economist
History: General History
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