Dirty Works: Obscenity on Trial in America’s First Sexual Revolution

Name: Dirty Works: Obscenity on Trial in America’s First Sexual Revolution
Price: 18.37 USD
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4.00 of 5 Stars: Legal History - Dirty Works: Obscenity on Trial in America’s First Sexual Revolution

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Book Synopsis: Gold Medal (tie) in the 2022 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs) - History (U.S.) Category. A rich account of 1920s to 1950s New York City, starring an eclectic mix of icons like James Joyce, Margaret Sanger, and Alfred Kinsey―all led by an unsung hero of free expression and reproductive rights: Morris L. Ernst. At the turn of the twentieth century, the United States was experiencing an awakening. Victorian-era morality was being challenged by the introduction of sexual modernism and women's rights into popular culture, the arts, and science. Set during this first sexual revolution, when civil libertarian-minded lawyers overthrew the yoke of obscenity laws, Dirty Works focuses on a series of significant courtroom cases that were all represented by the same lawyer: Morris L. Ernst. Ernst's clients included a who's who of European and American literati and sexual activists, among them Margaret Sanger, James Joyce, and Alfred Kinsey. They, along with a colorful cast of burlesque-theater owners and bookstore clerks, had run afoul of stiff obscenity laws, and became actors in Ernst's legal theater that ultimately forced the law to recognize people's right to freely consume media. In this book, Brett Gary recovers the critically neglected Ernst as the most important legal defender of literary expression and reproductive rights by the mid-twentieth century. Each chapter centers on one or more key trials from Ernst's remarkable career battling censorship and obscenity laws, using them to tell a broader story of cultural changes and conflicts around sex, morality, and free speech ideals. Dirty Works sets the stage, legally and culturally, for the sexual revolution of the 1960s and beyond. In the latter half of the century, the courts had a powerful body of precedents, many owing to Ernst's courtroom successes, that recognized adult interests in sexuality, women's needs for reproductive control, and the legitimacy of sexual inquiry. The legacy of this important, but largely unrecognized, moment in American history must be reckoned with in our contentious present, as many of the issues Ernst and his colleagues defended are still under attack eight decades later.

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Get ready to dive into the scandalous world of America's first sexual revolution with Dirty Works: Obscenity on Trial. This captivating book takes you on a thrilling journey through 1920s to 1950s New York City, where icons like James Joyce, Margaret Sanger, and Alfred Kinsey challenged Victorian-era morality and fought for free expression. Immerse yourself in the fascinating lives of these unsung heroes who pushed the boundaries of sexual modernism and women's rights, and discover the pivotal role played by Morris L. Ernst, the ultimate defender of literary expression and reproductive rights. With its rich historical narrative and captivating courtroom dramas, Dirty Works is guaranteed to keep you hooked from start to finish.

Uncover the hidden stories behind some of the most significant courtroom cases of the time, all represented by the brilliant lawyer Morris L. Ernst. From famous literary figures to sexual activists, Ernst defended an impressive roster of clients that included Margaret Sanger, James Joyce, and Alfred Kinsey. Through these gripping trials, Ernst's legal theater challenged the oppressive obscenity laws and fought for the right for people to consume media without censorship. Each chapter of Dirty Works shines a light on the cultural changes and conflicts surrounding sex, morality, and free speech during this transformative era, setting the stage for the sexual revolution that followed in the 1960s and beyond.

But Dirty Works is more than just a historical account. It serves as a reminder that the issues Morris L. Ernst and his colleagues fought for are still relevant today. As our society continues to grapple with debates around sexuality, reproductive rights, and free speech, the legacy of Ernst's courtroom successes cannot be ignored. By delving into this important chapter in American history, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by those who came before us and be inspired to stand up for the principles they fought so hard to protect.

Don't miss your chance to experience America's first sexual revolution as you've never seen it before. Grab a copy of Dirty Works: Obscenity on Trial and join the journey towards greater freedom, understanding, and acceptance. Let Morris L. Ernst be your guide as you navigate through the twisted corridors of history, and discover how one man's relentless pursuit of justice forever changed the world we live in.

Get Dirty Works: Obscenity on Trial in America's First Sexual Revolution today and be captivated by the untold stories that shaped our society.

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