God's Doodle

Tom Hickman has worked as a journalist on national magazines, newspapers and for the BBC. His books include a biography of Churchill's wartime bodyguard; the story of the BBC during World War Two; the experience of the Bevin Boys, sent to work in the coalmines during it; and of post-war National Service after it. He has also written a history of changing sexual mores during the 20th century.

"Tom Hickman tells the story of [the penis'] ups and downs with enthusiasm and a mostly straight face in "God's Doodle", a biography of what the dust jacket calls man's "most precious ornament". Mr Hickman goes, like so many men have gone before, where the penis takes him, and in the process answers a number of questions. Did Shylock want to castrate Antonio in "The Merchant of Venice"? Possibly. Is ingesting semen harmful? Quite the opposite. Mr Hickman claims it could protect against breast cancer. Where does Viagra get its name? Through the fusion of "virility" and "Niagara", as in the falls. "God's Doodle" is a seminal work." The Economist "Hickman has a dry, wry, light-on-his-feet style...enjoyably witty" Metro "The perfect man book, brimming with funny facts" -- Antonia Charlesworth Big Issue, North "Tom Hickman tells the story of its ups and downs with enthusiasm and a mostly straight face" The Economist