Journey into the complex medical and religious history of women's bodies from classical Greece to the modern day

'Delightful, timely and critical' Cat Bohannon 'Expertly weaves science, history and culture to illuminate the most misunderstood parts of our bodies' Dr Jennifer Gunter Throughout history, religious scholars, medical men and - occasionally - women themselves, have moulded thought on what 'makes' a woman. She has been called the weaker sex, the fairer sex, the purer sex, among many other monikers. Often, she has been defined simply as 'Not A Man'. Today, we are more aware than ever of the complex relationship between our bodies and our identities. But contrary to what some may believe, what makes a woman is a question that has always been open-ended. Immaculate Forms examines all the ways in which medicine and religion have played a gatekeeping role over women's organs. It explores how the womb was seen as both the most miraculous organ in the body and as a sewer; uncovers breasts' legacies as maternal or sexual organs - or both; probes the mystery of the disappearing hymen, and asks, did the clitoris need to be discovered at all?

"Lively and cheeky in tone, her book leaves you with the impression that, no matter what you believe to be obvious and natural about the female body, somebody in power once believed the exact opposite" - The New Yorker

"A richly nuanced and absorbing exploration of women's unique anatomy. Across these four anatomical histories King provides an illuminating and outstandingly well-researched account of how women's bodies have been interpreted and mythologized for as long as we can remember" - TLS

"An impressively widely read study, lightened along the way with illuminating trivia and King's gentle wit" - New Statesman

"Illuminating and scholarly ... [showing] again and again how men have charted women's bodies, examined and dissected those bodies, condemned those bodies ... King's thoughtful tome addresses how women - historically perceived as mysteries to themselves and those who would seem to know them - have been defined, and how their bodies by their very existence resist those definitions" - Financial Times

"Read it and be enlightened as well as entertained" - Church Times

"Chock-full of wonderful, strange and amazing stories, King's book is a vivid history of how women's bodies have been understood - and misunderstood - over the centuries" - BBC History Magazine

"Recreates centuries of fractious male discussion of women's bodies" - BBC Radio 4 Start the Week

"Fascinating and striking" - BBC History Extra

"Thorough, thoughtful and thought provoking" - Socialist Worker

"King is meticulous and prolific. She has written with equal erudition and care about the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. She brings this range and expertise to Immaculate Forms - plus more than a little humour. A masterful achievement born from an impressive and influential career" - Science