Civilizing sex

"Patrick Riley explores the Judeo-Christian tradition from its origins as well as the struggle of pagan Rome to restore stable families. He shows how marriage came to contain the force of sexuality, to harness its energies both to create and serve the family, and the well being of wider communities. The idea that sex is entirely a private issue is an error Dr. Rilley argues, with potentially disastrous consequences, both for the individual and societies."--Bloomsbury Publishing.