The untold story of Wilhelm Reich and the dawn of the sexual revolution. An illuminating, startling, at times bizarre story of sex and science, ecstasy and repression.
Adventures in the Orgasmatron is the untold story of the dawn of the sexual revolution in America – an illuminating, startling, at times bizarre story of sex and science, ecstasy and repression.
In the middle of the 20th century, the United States became an adoptive home for dozens of expatriated European thinkers, who saw this rich, young country ripe for sexual liberation. One of the most left-field of them was the Viennese psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich, a disciple of Freud’s who had broken with the master. Reich’s own approach was based on his theories of the orgasm and sexual energy, which he dubbed ‘orgone energy’. Instead of the couch, he made use of a tall, slender construction of wood, metal, and steel wool, which he called the orgone box. A highly sexed man himself, Reich thought that a person who sat in the box could elevate their ‘orgastic potential’ ridding the body of repressive forces, improving sexual potency, and enhancing overall health.
After World War Two, Reich’s theories caught on among writers and artists, the early adopters of the counter-culture. Norman Mailer and Saul Bellow were amongst those for whom the orgone box represented a yearned-for synthesis of sexual and political liberation, and of physical science and psychology.
Meanwhile, Reich himself faced one debacle after another. Albert Einstein heard him out before rebuffing him. The FBI investigated him as a Communist sympathizer: it turned out that they were hunting the wrong man. The federal government banned the orgone box and tagged Reich as a fraud. There were claims of sexual misdeeds, and bouts of Reich’s own mental instability.
This is the story of the blossoming of the 20th century’s sexual revolution, and the unshackling of a repressed society, and sex before science.
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR004397513
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: fine. First edition. First edition. Fine in fine dust jacket. Hardcover. 532 pp. with bibliography, index. Illustrations. Fascinating story of Wilhelm Reich, a memeber of a group of dozens of expatriated European thinkers who came to the United States in the mid-20th century. Reich, a Viennese psychoanalyst, was one of the most offbeat of these; a Freud disciple, he brocke with the master and his own approach was based on theories of the orgasm and sexual energy. In his practice, he made use of a contraption of wood, metal and steel wool that he dubbed "the orgone box", claiming that by sitting in it, a person could elevate their "orgastic potential", thereby ridding the body of repressive forces, improving sexual potency and enhancing overall health. His theories caught on with such post WWII counter-culture writers and artists such as Burroughs, Ginsberg, Mailer and Bellow. Personally, he faced one debacle after another and eventually the federal government banned his device and branded him a fraud. Seller Inventory # E16482
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Used: Good. Seller Inventory # SONG0007181574
Book Description Hard covers, dust jacket. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st UK edition. With risqué jacket design. Weight: 1.0 Language: English. Seller Inventory # 34971
Book Description Hard Cover. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Fair. First British Edition. Beige/gilt cloth hardback - bumped - in scuffed/chipped/edge-creased DJ; former labels have left imprints on covers. 532pp. with additional b/w illustrations. Purple inside covers/eps. Other than DJ, a Good copy. The price includes an allowance for any extra UK P&P - the item weighs well in excess of 800g. Overseas buyers should contact the seller direct to negotiate appropriate P&P fees. Seller Inventory # 10119