Curvology: The Origins and Power of Female Body Shape

by David Bainbridge

Overview

Few things are as tantalizing as a woman’s curves…and yet, humans are the only mammals on earth whose females have curvy bodies. Why? And what does this unique body shape mean for us? In Curvology, researcher David Bainbridge uses his scientific know-how to get to the bottom of this anatomical mystery and to explore the social and psychological consequences of our cultural fixation with curves and fat.Bainbridge brings thorough and clear-headed scientific research to this topic, as well as an admirable understanding of the real-life ramifications of the fascinating statistics and provocative studies he cites. Blending evolutionary biology, cultural observation, and cutting-edge psychology, Bainbridge critically synthesize the science and history of women’s body shape, from ancient homonids to the age of the selfie, offering insights into how women’s bodies became objects of fascination and raising awareness about what this scrutiny does to our brains.Packed with controversial and compelling findings that drive us to think about the significance of our curves and what they mean for future generations, Curvology offers not just a compelling collection of facts and studies, but an endlessly fascinating take on evolution and its consequences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781468312942
Publisher:	ABRAMS Press
Publication date:	08/16/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	236
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

David Bainbridge was trained in veterinary surgery and zoology at Cambridge University, where he now teaches Clinical Veterinary Anatomy. He is the author of four previous books: on pregnancy, on the biology of sex and sexuality, on the brain, and most recently Teenagers: A Natural History (Portobello, 2009) and Middle Age: A Natural History Portobello, 2012).

Editorial Reviews

Critics rest easy, though a man wrote this book, Bainbridge recognizes that his state as a “forty-something Caucasian male” may not make him the “ideal person to write a book about human female body shape.” He also brings women’s voices into the book throughout with quotes at the beginning of each chapter from different interviewees. Representative of different ages and varying body mass index sizes, the anonymous interviewers have one thing in common: A general dissatisfaction with at least one aspect of their bodies.

Bust.com

In this ode to the female form, Bainbridge, a Cambridge University–trained zoologist, explains why he thinks humans are the only animals with big hips and breasts.

Booklist

Curvologyis an excellent example of how modern evolutionary thinking goes well beyond the study of old, dry bones. These days, it encompasses such lively topics as the shape of our bodies and – more critically – of our minds. You may well disagree with some of this book (I do), but I think you’ll agree that its worth your attention; it will likely challenge your thinking, while also adding to it”

David P. Barash

Accessible to readers of all backgrounds . . . For its contributions to social science and anthropology, Curvology is highly recommended especially for public and college library collections.”

Midwest Book Review

It takes a zoologist to study the weirdest animal of all: humans...[Bainbridge's] ensuing investigation resulted in Curvology: The Origins and Power of Female Body Shape, a new book that examines why women are shaped the way they are and our cultural fixation therewith.

New York Post

2015-06-25
The biology, culture, and vanities perennially orbiting the female body.Motivated by specific behavioral and cultural observations, British zoologist and veterinary surgeon Bainbridge (Clinical Veterinary Anatomy/Cambridge Univ.; Middle Age: A Natural History, 2012) shares insightful musings on the nature and genesis of female physical dissatisfaction. He divides his exploration into three sections (The Body, The Mind, The World), each supporting different aspects of an argument stating that while the female body is unique, important, and precious, it is also guided and goaded by influential cultural and societal scrutiny. Flush with fascinating statistical data, the book's introductory chapters spotlight the author's animal biology background. In mapping human anatomy, Bainbridge examines the sexual dimorphisms of male and female torsos and the anthropological origins and evolutionary heritage of a woman's curvaceous adipose tissue. Men emerge as key figures in determining what constitutes superficial attractiveness in the opposite sex, and they often contribute to an unmanageable fixation on body image for many women. Less effective and redundant is a section explaining the nature of appetite and size between the sexes and of the historic female "control systems" that make dieting willpower so elusive. Bainbridge focuses too heavily on the evolutionary theories of eating disorders and the "cult of thinness" rather than validating contemporary beliefs related to the complex mechanics of the human brain or to modern society and culture, which, to him, seem "disturbing." Ultimately, the author concedes that regardless of clinical and social attempts to counter the trend and where exactly blame should be placed for perpetuating pathological female self-surveillance, women's obsessions with their bodies will endure, even as they are "continually told that it is becoming too large, too small, too exploited." An articulate yet debatable and uneven survey of the endlessly beguiling female form.

Kirkus Reviews