A titillating and often hilarious account of the rise and fall (as it were) of the vibrator as a medical tool for the treatment of hysteria . . . A book that can delight as well as enlighten.

-- "Journal of the American Medical Association"

Exhaustively researched . . . decidedly offbeat.

--Natalie Angier "New York Times"

Feminist scholarship exactly as it should be: a work that not only illuminates an astonishing bit of herstory, but does so with a neat balance of anger, wit and humor . . . A wonderful book.

--Carol Lynn Mithers "L.A. Weekly"

Full of wonderful descriptions of the 'job nobody wanted, ' including photographs of early vibrators and vaginal electrodes.

--Jeanette Winterson "Times (London)"

Here's a provocative history with a chip on its shoulder and a buzz under its skirt . . . Exhumes startling facts from the underground sexual history of the early twentieth century.

--Will Blythe "Mirabella"

Maines has produced an exhaustive and deliciously savage history of the vibrator-as-sex-aid . . . This fascinating and exquisitely referenced true story reads like twisted science fiction.

-- "Library Journal"

Rachel Maines offers readers a stimulating, surprising, and often humorous account of hysteria and its treatment throughout the ages.

-- "Birdbooker Report"

Thorough, original, and surprising.

--Sarah Boxer "New York Times Book Review"