Science of Kissing

Science of Kissing: What Our Lips are Telling Us
By Sheril Kirshenbaum
Grand Central Pub. 2011. 246 pgs. Nonfiction

“Is this a kissing book?”, a quote from The Princess Bride opens this short work of nonfiction investigating the history and meaning of the human habit of kissing as a show of affection or trust. Science and culture are both represented in chapters telling readers when humans first started kissing, what other animals participate in ‘kissing behaviors’, how someone could improve their kissing technique, more.

This is a short but interesting book, though it seemed at times the author was stretching a bit for content as she introduced and reviewed the same information multiple times. The topic and scope may have been more appropriate as a series of articles instead of the subject of an entire book. However, Kirshenbaum writes with wit and skill which compensates for most shortcomings the book contains. The read was totally worth my time if just for this fantastic quote from Albert Einstein stating “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”

CZ