The Story

This book doesn't follow a traditional plot with characters. Instead, it's a massive historical investigation. Paul Lacroix, a prolific 19th-century French author and historian, sets out to document everything about prostitution across time and space. He starts in ancient civilizations like Babylon and Egypt, moves through the Greek and Roman empires, into the Middle Ages, and up to his own era in the 1800s. He looks at how different religions, governments, and social classes dealt with it, sharing laws, personal accounts, and cultural observations. The 'story' is the incredible journey of this one social constant as it morphs and adapts from one society to the next.

Why You Should Read It

Don't go in expecting a modern, sensitive sociological study. The value here is in the raw, unfiltered perspective of a 19th-century scholar. The sheer ambition is staggering. Lacroix wasn't just writing about Paris or Rome; he tried to cover the entire globe, which gives you a weirdly comprehensive snapshot of how the world viewed sexuality, power, and women's roles in the past. It's less about the titillation of the subject and more about the shock of seeing such a taboo topic laid out so methodically by someone of that era. You're really reading two histories at once: the one he's describing, and the one revealed by his own biases and methods.

Final Verdict

This is a niche read, but a rewarding one. It's perfect for history buffs with a strong interest in social history who want a primary source that's anything but boring. It's also great for anyone curious about how historical research was done before modern academia. Be warned: the language and viewpoints are very much of their time and can be jarring. But if you can read it with that critical lens, you'll find a uniquely ambitious and oddly compelling document that you won't find anywhere else.