“A balanced account of modern ideas about the foreskin and circumcision.” —Sander L. Gilman, Emory University

“A thorough exploration of the most misunderstood part of the male anatomy by a major authority on masculinity. An interdisciplinary rosebud!” —Thomas Waugh, Concordia University

“Accessible and engaging, Uncut offers a wide-ranging analysis of the cultural history of the foreskin and is a welcome addition to contemporary conversations on masculinity and embodiment.” —Laura M. Carpenter, author of Virginity Lost and co-editor of Sex for Life

“How did the intact penis become ‘abnormal’? How did the foreskin end up as a morsel on the fetish menu? How has this modest fold of flesh accrued such disproportionate significance? With a sure hand, Jonathan A. Allan dissects the biomedical, religious, aesthetic, and erotic meanings of the human prepuce.” —Tim Dean, author of Unlimited Intimacy: Reflections on the Subculture of Barebacking

“The tiny piece of skin at the end of the human penis is subject to huge debate. Angst around the foreskin and its removal, on babies or adults, crosses cultural and national boundaries. Jonathan A. Allan cuts through the debates in this excellent book. With scholarly rigor he explains why we continue to worry about circumcision and why that wee bit of skin is still so very important." —Meredith Jones, Professor of Gender and Cultural Studies, Brunel University London

“In wake of bodily autonomy politics across the globe, Allan provides an insightful, thorough, and provocative unravelling of foreskin aesthetics and circumcision practices.” —Andrea Waling, author of Exploring the Cultural Phenomenon of the Dick Pic

“Drawing on history of medicine, sociology of science, gender and sexuality studies, and cultural analysis, Allan brings a refreshingly calm and even keel to a tumultuous topic. By shifting attention away from circumcision and toward the foreskin, he adds insightful new dimensions to a centuries-old—but increasingly timely and topical—debate.” —Brian D. Earp

“Previous books on the foreskin have suffered from unquestioned cultural assumptions around ethics, sexuality, and aesthetics. But a new wave of critical circumcision studies has arrived, marked by this monumental yet accessible scholarly work. With wit, erudition, and style, Allan teaches us to read the foreskin as a cultural object—however you slice it.” —Jordan Osserman, author of Circumcision on the Couch

“Jonathan Allan has yet again produced a provocative and essential examination of the history of the foreskin. Through the lenses of multiple perspectives, Allan weaves together the natural and social sciences with the humanities and fine arts to create a compelling pathway through this intriguing and controversial topic. The result is both an expansive and detailed look at our fascination, repulsion, and yes, obsession, with this intimate body part and what it ultimately reveals about our own individual and sociocultural values.” —Lauren M. Sardi, Quinnipiac University