David Reuben (author)

David R. Reuben (born November 29, 1933) is an American-born psychiatrist and author, best known for his best-selling books Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask) and The Save-Your-Life Diet.^[1]

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)

Early life and education

Reuben was born in 1933 in Chicago. He entered the University of Chicago at the age of 15 and later transferred to the University of Illinois College of Medicine, where he earned his M.D. in 1957.^[2][3] He received psychiatric training at Cook County Hospital.^[2]

Career

Geraldine (Flip Wilson) interviews Dr. David Reuben on
The Flip Wilson Show (1971)

Reuben served as a psychiatrist in the United States Air Force from 1959 to 1961. Following his military service, Reuben established a private psychiatry practice in Southern California.^[2][3] He also worked at Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Health Center.^[3]

During the early 1970s, Reuben became a celebrity doctor and appeared on television with multiple appearances on The Tonight Show and Dick Cavett Show.^[4][5][6] He shifted from medical practice to full‑time writing by the mid‑1970s.

Works

During his clinical practice, Reuben also worked with patients with sexual dysfunctions.^[6] He observed that patients frequently asked similar questions, which inspired him to create a straightforward resource to address these common concerns.^[6] This idea first took shape as an informational pamphlet, which he progressively developed into a full‑length manuscript.^[6] After facing rejections from multiple publishers, his book, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex but Were Afraid to Ask, was published in 1969.^[6] The book gained popularity for its humorous and accessible question‑and‑answer format and was translated into more than 19 languages and sold more than 100 million copies.^[7][3] The book challenged societal taboos surrounding sexuality in a period characterized by limited public discourse and education about sex. Kirkus Reviews' critic judged the manual as "a useful and sensible book" whose "entertaining and slightly rakish approach" helps to demystify the subject.^[8] Praised for its witty, candid approach, it topped The New York Times bestseller list for 55 consecutive weeks. It was "among the top 20 all‑time best sellers of the 20th century in the United States".^[9] The book also inspired a film by Woody Allen, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (*But Were Afraid to Ask) (1972).^[10] Reuben issued a major revision in 1999 to address changing laws on contraception and abortion, the HIV/AIDS epidemic and shifting social attitudes toward LGBT identities.^[11] Martin Miller, looking back on the updated 1999 edition for the Los Angeles Times, praised Reuben's "breezy, tongue‑in‑cheek Q‑and‑A form" while noting that fresh medical material on AIDS and abortion kept the book "still sex‑education's locomotive,"^[11]

Reuben authored two more best‑selling books on sex, Any Woman Can! (1971) and How to Get More out of Sex (1974).^[12][4]

The Save‑Your‑Life Diet: High‑Fiber Protection (1975) and The Save Your Life Diet High‑Fiber Cookbook (1976) translated his roughage manifesto into a kitchen playbook. Kirkus Reviews judged the book "perfectly okay" as a practical sequel.^[13] In 1978 Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Nutrition was published. In 1982, Dr. David Reuben's Mental First‑Aid Manual was published. Reviewer T. H. Woon found the manual "thought‑provoking" and potentially helpful to both doctors and laypeople.^[14]

Personal life

Reuben is married to Barbara, and they have five children.^[15]