As a regret mama I was looking forward to reading this memoir and learning more about circumcision and how it has become nothing but a money making racket in the US. I am always wanting to educate myself, because when we know better we can do better.

I made it halfway through this book before I couldn’t go any further. The first half of the book (and beyond, I am assuming) talks about the authors life and mentions circumcision very little. It talks about her relationship with her family, and her marriage, and her job. I kept waiting for her to get to the point of the book, assuming that everything she had talked about would tie in to how she became an intactivist, and it’s possible that it would, but I couldn’t read more.

It wasn’t that the writing or the book was *bad*. On the contrary, it was very well-written, it just wasn’t what I was interested in reading. I am giving the book three stars and will not discourage anyone else from reading it. If memoirs are your thing and you are aware that the book isn’t solely about the circumcision industry then you may really enjoy it.

Before reading This Penis Business, I never really thought much about circumcision. It is not a common practice in my country so it never really crossed my mind. The book absolutely opened my eyes and made me look further into it. The book starts out with what is essentially the story of the author’s life growing up and how she came to be so involved in the business. Georganne Chapin is an amazing woman who has worked tirelessly to bring the truth about circumcision to everyone’s attention. I learnt a lot from this book and was shocked by a lot of what I read. A very interesting read which I would recommend to all.

This was a really interesting read. I had no idea that so many men were circumcized in the US. I knew that it was the "popular" thing to do, but to learn the true history behind it was astounding and hugely interesting. I've read many health non-fiction novels and this one was a new and different take on a health issue that I didn't even realize was a health issue!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

The Penis Business: A Memoir by Georganne Chapin
Overall Grade: A
Writing: A
Details and explanations: A
Best Aspect: A great memoir that I learned a lot from.
Worst Aspect: That so much of this book will not be believed.

I came to this book as part of expanding my non-fiction output, and in particular to examine the activist side of healthcare stuff that I often do read. Perhaps I didn't read the synopsis, because - until the last quarter really - this is not that book. Instead this a pretty straightforward narrative autobiography of Georganne Chapin, who is the Executive Director of Intact America, the foremost anti-circumcision organisation in America. I was aware of the shocking statistics of the number of US men circumcised (it's about 80%), and have always wondered how that came about and why such a needless and potentially traumatic operation persists, and this book does get on to some of that. But you do have to plough through a slightly counter-culture but relatively normal 60's upbringing to get to that. It's a little weird having the occasional aside about circumcision whilst she's talking about her schooldays, but without that, you really could be reading a pretty vanilla memoir.

This is my problem, of course, I should not berate a book for being exactly what it said it was. And there is something actually rather interesting to see how a bright but initially pretty ordinary lower middle-class girl becomes a successful Latin American musician, healthcare administrator and figurehead of a charity which to a great degree does not directly affect her (her son is not circumcised though the book makes clear this is a strongly held view from her teen years and a partner from South America where it would be extremely unusual). It's clearly written with an American audience in mind, otherwise its presentation of the facts around the numbers circumcised might be considerably more shocked. But then the activist part (intactivist as per obligatory wordplay) is also filtered through the autobiography too. It wasn't what I expected, but taken as a memoir it is fine, and even interesting to read something quite so ordinary still leading to visionary leadership. But not quite so exciting to read.

This Penis Business, a memoir by Georganne Chapin. Georganne, a healthcare expert, attorney, and founding executive director of Intact America, shares her firmly grounded opinions on why male circumcision should be a thing of the past. This book indicates that Georganne registered her opposition to the cutting of the foreskin in the early years of her life and ever since, nearly everything she’s been doing has led her to where she’s now—an advocate of the complete abolition of male circumcision. What about the so-called benefits of circumcisions? Georganne discusses them here, including why she believes the Victorians got it all wrong. And are there organizations thriving from foreskin separated from their rightful owner?

Though some readers might be disappointed because the book reads like a biography, especially in the beginning, focusing more on the author than the subject matter, it’s imperative to note that sometimes it pays to know the messenger as well. It’s therefore not a bad thing to know the girl Georganne was in her childhood and the family that raised her before plunging into her message for the world.

For those who’ve been thinking that male circumcision only happens in certain parts of the world except America and those who’d like to know more about the advantages of remaining intact, this is an ideal book for you.

This was not the book I expected. I thought I was going to be reading a book with discussions about the topic of circumcision. A debate for and against the practice in use around the world. However, this book is more a memoir of the authors life. To be fair I gave up on the book after about a quarter of the way through as it was not what I wanted to read . Perhaps the write up is a little misleading.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to see an DRC.

I was initially excited about this title. I love micro-histories and societal critiques and this seemed like it would be a mix of both. I became suspicious when I realized the author is a ciswoman and that this is entitled "a memoir." Nonetheless, I forged ahead, and unfortunately, my worries were confirmed. This is very much a memoir that is supposedly focused on the issue of circumcision but from someone who is not a doctor, researcher, or even has a penis. While I'm sure she's a very knowledgeable woman, I find myself thinking this does more to hurt her cause. Why not platform penis-havers who have first-hand experience? Why not feature medical professionals who could speak to this issue from a professional perspective? We spend a lot of the book just discussing the author's childhood, which has no bearing on the actual topic under discussion. Additionally, the writing style is boring and self-indulgent. I would definitely not recommend this book, and I hope readers can find information about this important issue from better sources.

Living in the UK, where circumcision isn't a widespread concern except for certain cultural backgrounds, I was intrigued to delve into "This Penis Business." The book shed light on shocking statistics and the unsettling ties between doctors and paid surgeries in the US. This made me appreciate the NHS even more. While critical of the NHS's flaws, I couldn't help but feel grateful that our healthcare doesn't revolve around profit.

Initially, I found the book's buildup to the circumcision discussion a bit lengthy, but understanding it as a memoir made me appreciate how the author's life journey influenced her perspective. Despite traumatic experiences, the author emerged as a successful professional, although the exploration of the "penis business" felt somewhat rushed. It struck me as a valuable introductory read before delving deeper into the subject.

My perception of circumcision as a peculiar and outdated practice shifted significantly after reading the book. Previously hesitant to judge religious practices, I now recognise the pain and damage inflicted on infants. As someone outspoken against FGM, I felt a sense of shame for not being more informed earlier.

The hygiene argument, touted as one reason to justify circumcision, appears absurd when considering global practices. Countries outside the US, where circumcision is uncommon, don't experience higher infection or STI rates. The book convincingly dismantles this argument, emphasising the importance of education over unnecessary procedures. Imagine thinking cutting something off someone is better than sitting them down and explaining why they need to have a good wash!

In conclusion, "This Penis Business" is a compelling exploration of a crucial topic that warrants more discussion. It has opened my eyes, prompting reflection and gratitude for being more informed about a practice that demands attention.

This was a very interesting book. My issue with the book was how it was marketed. I felt like I should have walked away with a bit more history and information surrounding circumcision. It wasn’t until over half way through the book that I started to gain some understanding and facts about what the book was marketed as. Other than feeling bamboozled, the book was interesting, somewhat informative, and at the very least thought provoking.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read the ARC of this book in exchange of my honest opinion and feedback.

This was a very informative book. I would recommend this book if you are a parent or plan on being one. It brings up things most people do not think about.

The author tells about her upbringing in the 60’s, her education in public health, then becoming a lawyer, and educating and crusading for tiny humans and boys by founding Intact America. Circumcision has become such a routine practice in the US for a medical procedure. It is very interesting that this procedure continues to be performed in that the patient himself is not giving consent at the time of the procedure and there is no medical reason to do the procedure at the time of the procedure except cosmetic. Others reasons cited for a circumcision: so the baby “looks” like his father or so he won’t be laughed at by his peers. Also not reasons for a MEDICAL procedure on an unconsenting newborn. More adults and parents need to read this book or really ANY book about circumcision prior to having a child and making the decision to circumcise as they may not know what the procedure entails (yes, newborns feel pain) or possible complications that can occur.