The Complete Kama Sutra : The First Unabridged Modern Translation of the Classic Indian Text

This was NOT what I was looking for, it has not one illustration and is written in a way that is very hard to understand. I wound up buying a different downloadable version that turned out to be much more what I was looking for. If you like reading 1st century Indian lore this might be the book for you if you want something you and your spouse can read and enjoy I'd move on.

Mostly just common sense, aside from the information about youthful experiences, creeped out by that information.

I don't doubt that many people buy this work because of the Kama Sutra's racy reputation. Despite the fact that Danielou is not shy about translating issues of same-sex intercourse, seduction of other men's wives, and such, the overall work here is of immense historical value.

First Dalielou provides a remarkably straight-forward translation to the text itself, preserving is structure to a large degree. This changes the feel of the work to more closely match the original.

More significantly, however, Danielou includes the two most important commentaries on the text, providing more information as to how the thought evolved and how different scholars interpreted it. This is significant as well.

All in all, the work appears to me to be one which aimed at happy married life (despite the sections which seem counterproductive to that). A great deal of time is spent on questions of courtship, marriage, duties in marriage and the like.

For those interested in Tantra, this book is also a useful starting point.

Overall, I would highly recommend this work.

I purchased this book after it being recommended by a friend of mine. While reading it, my husband comments "there sure aren't a lot of pictures. So if you're buying this book for "pictures" you will be disappointed. However if you have an actual interest in the history and meaning behind the Sutra, this books fer you!

This is a great book my husband is actually reading it with me and he hates to read. It has also improved our marrige and love life