La Cazzaria: The Book of the Prick
The sexiest and most enjoyable book of the year. -- Dean Kuipers, LA TimesBecause it is such unabashed fun, it makes a sharp commentary on current writing about sex. -- Dean Kuipers, LA TimesControversy--political, sexual, and otherwise--always sells books... . Political intrigue and scandal are also the main topics inLa Cazzaria: The Book of the Prick, by Antonio Vignali, edited and translated by Ian Frederick Moulton (Routledge; April). A cross between Machiavelli's The Prince and the most scandalous pornography of its time, this 16th-century  erotic dialogue -- translated for the first time -- redefines the possibilities of sexual politics. -- Michael Bronski, Boston PhoenixRecommended for collections dealing with the history of sexuality or erotica. -- Mary Morgan Smith,LibraryJournalHis [Mouton's] exemplary introduction is nearly as long as the text itself and twice as worthwhile. It provides the historical perspective and intellectual sobriety missing from what Moulton tactfully describes as 'learned, but childish,' fable that is, even by most liberal modern standards, a complete gross-out-though probably not to anyone who has tuned into Howard Stern. A radically obscene satire on politics and sex. --TheNew YorkernHis [Mouton's] exemplary introduction is nearly as long as the text itself and twice as worthwhile. It provides the historical perspective and intellectual sobriety missing from what Moulton tactfully describes as 'learned, but childish,' fable that is, even by most liberal modern standards, a complete gross-out-though probably not to anyone who has tuned into Howard Stern. A radically obscene satire on politics and sex. --TheNew YorkerMoulton's translation and edition of Vignali'sLacazzariaconstitutes a useful instrument to understand further the strong links among knowledge, power, and sexuality in the early modern period.  Moulton's remarkable introduction to Vignali's dialogue places the text in its historical context, thus making this edition a useful instrument for scholars in gender studies, queer studies, and early modern political and intellectual history. -- Monica Calabritto, City University of New York, Hunter College,Renaissance QuarterlyMoulton's translation and edition of Vignali's La cazzaria constitutes a useful intstrument to understand further the strong links among knowledge, power, and sexuality in the early modern period... a useful instrument for scholars in gender studies, queer studies, and early modern political and intellectual history. -- Monica Calabritto, the City University of New York, Hunter College,Renaissance Quarterly