Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Circumcision: How an Ancient Ritual Became a Questionable Surgery by Kenneth S. Lipman investigates the historical, cultural, religious, and medical dimensions of circumcision. He brings up the foreskin's anatomical role in protection, lubrication, and sexual sensitivity, speaking on its importance in male genital health. Lipman traces the practice’s evolution, from its religious significance in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity to its rise as a common medical procedure in the U.S. The medical justifications for circumcision are misguided, at best, and there's a lack of consistent evidence supporting its touted benefits. Lipman talks about its physical and psychological risks, including complications, trauma, and sexual dysfunction, and the factors preventing widespread abandonment of circumcision—mostly cultural, religious, financial, and institutionally pressured—despite growing evidence against its medical necessity.

Kenneth S. Lipman’s Circumcision is the book I didn't know I needed to read but am extremely grateful it landed in my lap. I was initially drawn to it because I'm a history geek and it's an area that, outside the occasional ancillary mention, I haven't seen in any significant detail. Lipman skillfully uses humor to make a subject that could be desperately uncomfortable easy to read, and accomplishes it without trivializing how serious the issue is. His exhaustive research is evident throughout the book, and he backs up every claim with verifiable references. As a mother, the most powerful and heartbreaking part of the book is Lipman’s discussion of the pain experienced by infants during circumcision. He points out that even with local anesthesia, the pain can last for weeks, a fact that is underreported and largely ignored. Overall, this is an eye-opening assessment that forces readers to reflect on the implications of the practice in modern society. Very highly recommended.