Reviews (2)

Cuban heteronormativity critically analyzed
Marvin Leiner lived in Cuba in 1968-69 and revisited the island periodically thereafter. In 1978 he published _Children are the Revolution_, a book on Cuban daycare programs. A democratic socialist in the I.F. Stone and Michael Harrington tradition, Leiner admires the dramatic and effective extensions of literacy and healthcare to the masses, while believing that "socialism without democracy is a contradiction...lead[ing] to horrendous abuse of power." It is as a "friend of the social revolution" that Leiner criticizes repression of dissent and the ongoing history of persecution of males judged insufficiently masculine (this is the official and folk Cuban construction of male homosexuality). Must be appreciated as an original text.....
The history of homosexuality and homophobia in Cuba is rich; just like most topics related to the Island.Nowadays, everyone is writing about "gay Cuba."The release of the film "Before Night Falls" only exemplifies and promotes the trend.However, when this book was written that was not the case.The book sometimes feels like it is picking for straws.Still, as an original effort it is worth the read.I remember being glad this book existed when I found it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. AIDS (Disease)    2. Cuba    3. Gay Studies    4. Gays    5. Human Sexuality    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Sex instruction    8. Sex role    9. Sociology    10. AIDS: social aspects    11. Gay studies (Gay men)    12. Gender studies    13. HIV / AIDS    14. Human rights   

Reviews (22)

Not new and not about joy
Readers who hope to find in this book a how-to manual of gay sex will be very sadly disappointed. Rather it tries (unsuccessfully in my opinion) to be an "encyclopedic" reference from A to Z (with the emphasis on zzzzzz) on the "joyful" life of gay sex, and even then, the book turns out to be only alphabetized, not encyclopedic. Even on those terms it fails. E.g., how can a section about wills be part of the "joys". If anything, wills are a problem about being gay, and irrelevant to gay sex, joys or not. I would say that this book is not at all directed towards gays, who I'm sure will know much , much, much more about the subject than has been written here, but towards those who have a prurient interest, are mere gawkers, or who are timidly venturing towards it. If that is the case, none of these groups would be well-served by this book.The text is antiseptic, pedestrian, and boring, and the illustrations are grotesque, not to mention degrading.

Bookshop 'Reading Room'
I found this book in a bookshop near my university, waited till other customers had moved on and took it from the shelf, reading it furtively, hoping noone would notice, but aroused by the illustrations. Later I had the same experience elsewhere with Gordon Merrick's 'Perfect Freedom', but then my book opened automatically to the juicy bits where other readers had been there before me,.......I suppose these are the well-thumbed copies booksellers could never move in the days when embarrassment made buying such books a heart-stopping experience, like buying condoms in a small town dispensary......the internet age has changed a lot.....the book is now just one of many, when once it was the one and only......so the memories make it more interesting than the content

MAGNIFICANT ILLUSTRATIONS./FOUND MYSELF
In the magnificant illustrations I "found myself" from memories of myself as an adolescent to acceptance of my adult self. The book is pre-AIDS and therefore its information is not up-to-date but the artistically erotic illustrations's communicate a "lovingness". Reading this book for the first time in the mid- 80's raised my homosexual energy from phallic to romantic. This book is for any gay who wants to feel eternally free. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Homosexuality    2. Homosexuality, Male    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Sex Education    5. Sex instruction for gay men    6. Sexuality    7. Sociology   

Reviews (5)

Not problematic
Those who are actually familiar with tantra know that certain generation practices may entail generating oneself as a consort regardless of one's current external gender.So for those who find the idea of polarity confusing - fear not, you have all the yab and all the yum you need regardless of what hangs betwixt thy knees.I cannot say more on this.In general, this book does wonders to correct the silly ideas regarding the relationship between gender versus sexuality (they ARE different you know) and the difference between inner channels and outer physical genitalia.Well, this book does that if you can read between the lines.The book makes much more sense if you have a background in both the shared and exceptional teachings.This book adds to the massive collection of evidence that says no gay practitioner should EVER doubt that his or her body, speech, and mind are a suitable basis for every possible realization.So go practice!The other shore awaits!

Problematic
Everyone is worthy of compassionate understanding. Some people are just constituted differently. Nevertheless, re-writing this book to serve the gay community is problematic, when the underlying premise of the original (Tibetan) text was the ultimate union of the 'yab-yum' (Tibetan equivalent of yin-and-yang) - the 'male' and 'female' principles in the cosmos. Does it make any sense, when viewed as a union of two 'yabs' or two 'yums'? Without 'yab-yum' - none us could be born in the first place, the same applies to the phenomenal universe. How much so, then, must the ultimate union embrace finding ourselves in a 'union of the opposites.' Can you have a magnet, with two 'north poles' or two 'south poles'? Wil your electrical utilities work, with two positive or two negative wires? We all know the answer to that.

Good read for a Gay novice
For anyone unfamilar with various Gay sexual activities or the theory of Tantra, this book can be enlightening. For anyone seeking revelatory practices or ideas, it is disappointing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Eastern - Zen    3. Gay Studies    4. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    5. Love / Sex / Marriage    6. Religious aspects    7. Sex instruction    8. Sex instruction for gay men    9. Sexual Instruction    10. Social Science    11. Gay studies (Gay men)    12. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (1)

157 questions answered about gay leathersex
In eleven chapters and eleven categories Bean answers a total of 157 questions he's received as a leather writer over several years.His writing is easy to read and from both his heart, his research, and his experiences.While sometimes very specific to the gay leatherworld, there are several questions and answers that should be helpful to anyone.A definite must have for newbie leathermen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Human Sexuality    2. Leather lifestyle    3. Miscellanea    4. Psychology    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / Human Sexuality    6. Reference    7. Sadomasochism    8. Sexual Instruction    9. Sexual dominance and submissio    10. Sexual dominance and submission    11. Alternative Sexual Behavior    12. Gender studies    13. Health & Fitness    14. Sex & sexuality    15. Sex instruction for gay men    16. Sexuality   

Reviews (1)

Very hot and educational
It is a pity that every gay man is not exposed to the educational aspects of Safer Sexy. Although somewhat dated because the book was first written at the height of the AIDS epidemic, unfortunately much of the techniques shown in the book are still quite relevant. But most importantly, the book is HOT!For tender lovemaking to passionate diversity, the book is a wondeful catalogof how to keep gay sex inventive and stimulating, while always danger free. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. AIDS & HIV    2. Gay Studies    3. Gay men    4. Love / Sex / Marriage    5. Safe sex in AIDS prevention    6. Sex instruction for gay men    7. Sexual behavior    8. Sexuality - Manuals    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Gay studies (Gay men)    12. HIV / AIDS    13. Sex & sexuality   

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Gay students    4. General    5. Great Britain    6. Heterosexuality    7. Human Sexuality    8. Minorities    9. Philosophy & Social Aspects    10. Research    11. Sex instruction    12. Education / General    13. Gender studies    14. Philosophy of education    15. Sex & sexuality   

Subjects:  1. Diseases - AIDS & HIV    2. Education    3. General    4. Hygiene, Sexual    5. Safe sex in AIDS prevention    6. Sex instruction    7. Sexuality    8. Sociology    9. Study and teaching    10. United States    11. AIDS: social aspects    12. Gay & Lesbian studies    13. Sexual behaviour    14. USA   

Editorial Review

Coauthor of the funny and hip Read more

Features

• Bargain Price

Reviews (10)

INSUTLTING...
This book is totally insulting to any gay man who has any sense of self-worth and pride.It pretends to be clever and witty, but in fact is mean spirited and totally lacking in anything of value.A TOTAL LOSER!

Irresponsible Advice
As a Registered Nurse, I was very concerned when I read this book.In fact, it made me so nauseated that I threw it in the trash. Exceptional with exceptions
Ok so there are two areas in which I have to take Mr. Anderson to task over. One is the ref. to the south sticking Tobacco into babies formulas...that's just wrong, the other is with regards to the ref of one car that a prospective dated would own having a "My Other Car is a Broom" and then intimating that it probably belongs to a woman...excuse me Dan, I'm quite male, and quite a Celtic Pagan. Get over it. Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay men    3. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    4. Love / Sex / Marriage    5. Sex education    6. Sex instruction for gay men    7. Sexual Instruction    8. Social Science    9. Social Science / Gay Studies    10. Bargain   

Reviews (2)

Revised and Still Relevant
I don't know if Larry Townsend ever had an inkling of just how influential his 1972 original "The Leatherman's Handbook" would become. I am certain he probably had no idea that - within a decade - the mantra of Gay Liberation would become fogged over by the onset of the plague of AIDS and the total indifference of the Reagan Administration. Leathermen, with their work hard play harder sexual ethic, were hit especially hard.
An S&M book from one of the best in the field
For anyone who is interested in either entering the aura of leathersex or who is all ready involved, Leatherman's Handbook II is a must read.Written by Larry Townsend who is well respected within the leather world and also a contributor to the male bondage magazine, Bound and Gagged, this book follows along with his style.This is an easy book to read and understand with chapters dealing with anything from bondage techniques, bondage material, s&m techniques, meeting a partner and much more.Each chapter generally has a story that is relevant to the chapter's subject matter. Read more

Subjects:  1. Sociology    2. Sociology - General    3. Gay Studies    4. Gay men    5. Sexual behavior    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Leather lifestyle    8. Sadomasochism    9. Sex instruction for gay men    10. Sexuality - Manuals    11. Homosexuality, Male   

Reviews (2)

When there was only one
Back in the seventies, it was still a very risky proposition to attempt a gay publication of any sort. But in the California Seventies, books like "Song Of The Loon" (from the sixties) and eventually the likes of "Tales of The City" began breaking down the barriers, allowing homosexual men to be presented not as crazy or unstable, but as regular people in love. Larry Townsend went even farther out on a limb. He sat down in 1972 and spelled out, for the first time in book form, the codes of conduct that the underground Leather Scene and S&M men lived by. There were also several accounts of steamy real life kink encounters.
Outstanding resource for the "Old Guard" Leather Man
This book has the best resource for anyone wanting to learn the "Old Guard" ways and means. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay men    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Homosexuality, Male    5. Leather lifestyle    6. Sadomasochism    7. Sex instruction for gay men    8. Sexual behavior    9. Sexuality - Manuals    10. Social Science    11. Sociology   

Reviews (1)

Walking in a latex wonderland!!
I am a 58 year old gay man who has been obssesed with condom collecting for two decades now. This book even taught me a thing or two! A perfect gift for your own "Roughrider"!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Condoms    2. Diet / Health / Fitness    3. Gay Studies    4. General    5. Safe sex in AIDS prevention    6. Sex instruction for gay men    7. Sexuality    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Gay studies (Gay men)    11. Sex & sexuality   

Subjects:  1. Homosexuality    2. Sex    3. Sex instruction    4. Socialization   

Reviews (1)

Indispensable work
"Disputing the Subject of Sex" is a polished but frank consideration of the intersection of educational practices and recent political theory.This book should be required reading for anyone interested in how subjects are formed in and transform communities and ideas of sexual difference. Cris Mayo is the smartest theorist of sexuality and education working today. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Education and state    4. Homosexuality and education    5. Human Sexuality    6. Multicultural Education    7. Sex instruction    8. United States    9. Gender studies    10. History / World   

Reviews (2)

Great Safe Sex Guide for Gays
This was one of the early safe-sex guides published and by
Good, Clean, Dirty, Fun !
I've always been keenly interested in reading about a man's first time and how he deals with safe sex, particularly a "straight" man's first time with another man. This book has compiled a nice collection of guidelines that address just that topic. The topics range from the romanticand sweet to the extremely erotic. It's a page turner, and you'll probablyread it from cover to cover in only two sittings, and, dispite being alittle "rehashed," it's good, clean, dirty, fun. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. AIDS (Disease)    2. Family/Marriage    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Prevention    5. Safe sex in AIDS prevention    6. Sex education    7. Sex instruction for gay men    8. Sexuality   

Subjects:  1. Gay men    2. Homosexuality, male    3. Sex instructions for gay men   

Reviews (2)

When There Was Only One
Back in the seventies, it was still a very risky proposition to attempt a gay publication of any sort. But in the California Seventies, books like "Song Of The Loon" (from the sixties) and eventually the likes of "Tales of The City" began breaking down the barriers, allowing homosexual men to be presented not as crazy or unstable, but as regular people in love. Larry Townsend went even farther out on a limb. He sat down in 1972 and spelled out, for the first time in book form, the codes of conduct that the underground Leather Scene and S&M men lived by. There were also several accounts of steamy real life kink encounters.
Must have!
This is a wonderful classic of non-fiction in the "BDSM" world.Interwoven with snippets of erotica, Townsend explores the safety and reality of gay male "BDSM".Useful for any man who is a bottomand for those who enjoy them.My own copy has a bit of an update on AIDSbut this book should be supplemented with current safety and healthmaterials. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay men    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Homosexuality, Male    5. Leather lifestyle    6. Sadomasochism    7. Sex instruction for gay men    8. Sexual behavior    9. Sexuality - Manuals    10. Social Science    11. Erotic fiction   

Subjects:  1. AIDS (Disease)    2. Prevention    3. Safe sex in AIDS prevention    4. Sex instruction for gay men   

Subjects:  1. Sex    2. Sex instruction for gay men   

Reviews (2)

Partially interesting
This is effectively the manifesto of Gay Men Fighting AIDS, a London-based group consisting of gay men, umm, fighting HIV/Aids in the gay community. Insiteful, Informative. Love it!
I found this book to very informative and insightful. However I thought that some of the dialougue was hokey. This tells you pretty much everything you probably already know, but there are a few extras that I didnt know and it helps. There are alot of different siuations covered from intimacy,different types of contraceptives to loosing your lover to AIDS. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aids (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)    2. Great Britain    3. Health/Fitness    4. Love / Sex / Marriage    5. Safe sex in AIDS prevention    6. Sex Education    7. Sex instruction for gay men    8. Sexuality    9. Birth control, contraception, family planning    10. Gay studies (Gay men)    11. HIV / AIDS   

Reviews (4)

Refreshingly Candid
Completely unashamed of his personal history as a faithful and longtime consumer of male prostitutes, Joseph Itiel genially walks his reader through a thoughtful, reflective, and non-sensationalized argument for embracing the ready availability of hustlers and their services. In contrast to the frequent disappointments and frustrations of cruising in bars and baths, Itiel paints a vivid and, at times, inspiring picture of what a gay man's sex life could potentially be - if he has the courage and wherewithal to think ahead, budget his finances, and invest a bit of time in doing his research. The result of such efforts, according to the author, can lead to the lifelong enjoyment of regular, stress-free, and satisfying sex.
From Someone WITH Experience!
Even if you never plan to use the services of a male hustler/model/masseur/escort, and are just curious like I was, this book is a joy to read, and full of fascinating information. Author Joseph Itiel really knows about hustlers. He describes his dealings with hustlers over a period of 35 years from all over the world. I couldn't put this book down. It's full of information that will make you well-informed about finding a hustler, figuring out how much to pay them, and making sure it's an experience that is safe and pleasurable to both parties. In this way you'll enjoy the experience and be in control of the situation at all times. I was delighted to find that someone has finally written an honest, intelligent, well-researched book about this subject. It's the author's experiences that he relates so honestly in this book that to me made it a real page turner. Some were funny, amusing, and others hard to believe, though true. The authors' goal with this book is to make us well informed about the hustling experience and I think he has succeeded. He even feels meeting with a hustler regularly can be more satisfying and mutually beneficial than having a steady relationship that can become boring. It's great that he decided to share this part of his life with us. Highly recommended! Another great gay studies book from Harrington Park Press.

Excellent and Wonderfully Refreshing
I loved this book!It is honest and candid and refreshing in its accurate portrayal of the hustler/client relationship. I myself am a sex worker and although the book is written from the client's perspective, I related to so many of Mr. Itiel's experiences.And I must say, from my own experience in the business, that I completely agree with him.Establishing an ongoing relationship with a hustler is both beneficial to the hustler and to the client.My warmest and most meaningful experiences I have had as a sex worker have been with clients that I have established an ongoing relationship with.A friendship and an intimacy develops that I find truly gratifying.So hats off to Mr. Itiel for writing this book - a much needed addition that will help break down old stereotypes about male hustlers and help people realize the benefits and the gains to be had from seeking out long term relationships with those of us in the world's oldest profession! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay men    3. Gender Studies    4. Human Sexuality    5. Male prostitution    6. Men's Studies - General    7. Sex instruction for gay men    8. Sexual behavior    9. Social Science    10. Sociology