"Kama Sutra of Sexual Positions: The Tantric Art of Love" is really separated into two main sections (history and sexual positions) in my opinion and interspersed with dozens of photos of ancient sexual art, reproductions of ancient art, and beautiful hand drawn depictions of couples. The book itself is a short 63 pages, though it takes longer to read than one would expect, since it reads almost like a history textbook.
Firstly, there is a "Word of Caution" on the page before the Table of Contents. It warns readers that the book is meant to "educate and inspire" and not "give medical or psychological therapy." It states that many of the positions depicted can only be accomplished through years of yoga. Then there is a legal disclaimer saying that the author, illustrator, and publisher are not liable or responsible to anyone that injures themselves or damages property due to the information or lack of information in this book.
In the introduction the author, Kenneth Ray Stubbs, Ph.D., discusses the very beginnings of written or depicted sexual history going back to thirteenth-century India. It discusses the Ishimpo, the Bible, the Perfumed Garden (an early North African Arabic text) as well as the Kama Sutra and Ananga-Ranga. Again it is mentioned that many of the positions are only going to be achieved after many years of yoga and/or meditation. Dr Stubbs then expresses that the poetry is his own expression and interpretation of writings "from poets and mystics throughout the ages." The Bible as well as many biblical persons are mentioned throughout the book many times. I found that a little odd, but since a large portion of this book is the history of sexual texts it didn't necessarily surprise me.
The next chapter is called "Ancient Lovers" and discusses more historical sexual writings, drawings, and depictions.
The next 4 chapters are "Kama Sutra," "The Perfumed Garden," "Ananga-Ranga," and "Ishimpo." All of these chapters consist of short descriptions of various sexual positions adapted from those historic texts. My husband and I found that some of these were not descriptive enough to actually attempt the positions, especially in the "Kama Sutra" section. For example: "Widely Open Position: When she lowers her head and raises her middle parts". Some of the descriptions are, however, great. For example: "The Tiger's Tread: The female is faced downward in a crawling position, her buttocks up and head down, the male kneels behind her and embraces her belly. Then he inserts his jade stalk and penetrates deeply." There are photos depicting some of the positions, but none of them are labeled, so you have to "guess" which one it is, which is especially hard on pages when there are multiple similar positions. As warned in the "Word of Caution" many of the positions require advanced yoga training. As neither my husband or I have that, there were many we simply cannot do, but were nonetheless fun to attempt, and interesting to read. After a quick count there are 105 different positions listed in these 4 chapters.
The last chapter before the "About the Author" and "Acknowledgments" is called "A Chronology of Sexual Embrace." It is, quite literally a time line of sex, starting at 3500 B.C.E (before common era, equivalent to BC) with the possible beginning of the Inanna legend in Sumer area (which is discussed in depth in the first chapter), and ending with 1970 CE (common era, equivalent to AD) with the Masters and Johnson's "Human Sexual Inadequacy" being published. It is interesting to read, and highlights things such as the Kama Sutra being translated to English, Jesus and Mohammed being born, the Japanese shunga art style, and the popularization of the birth control pill.
The last few pages hold the "About the Author" and "Acknowledgments" sections.
The writing style, for the most part is VERY reminiscent of a college historical textbook, and therefore does take some concentration. There are MANY MANY references to walking through a garden, or the parts of female and male anatomy being referred to as different flowers or plants. Many of the poems are sprinkled with verses about flowers and higher powers, which I did not expect.
If there is one reason to purchase this book it is for the illustrations and photos. They are gorgeous and show many couples of different races, ages, sizes, and body types looking deeply in love, and totally at peace with each other. The photographs and drawings of ancient carvings, sculptures and paintings are also amazing and so interesting! Almost every other page is devoted to drawings poems, or photographs. I found looking through them so very interesting just because of the similarities and differences in the ancient cultural artwork.
One thing this book does NOT have is anything for same gender couples. Everything is entirely heterosexual, though a few of the positions describe threesomes or more with several women and one man.
