Reviews (6)

Just Opened The Packet
I just received my copy - I like it ! I like the interracial photos, and I like the simple style. No great revelations in this book....could there be? don't waste your money on this "book"
As pre-Algebra is to Calculus, this book is to sex and gay relationships.Further, it is poorly written, both stylistically and grammatically.The author needs a decent editor.

The best
This book remains the best book on gay male sexuality that has been written.It views sex in a holistic manner as part of an individuals whole self rather than as merely a mechanical activity to be approached like plumbing.The chapters are concise and get right to the point without making sex appear to be rocket science.The cute drawings from the original edition remain but as a previous reviewer suspected, the photos have all been redone to fit the current popular gay media image (ie: early twentysomething twinks)....Mitch Walkers book is brilliant. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Homosexuality, Male    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Sex instruction for gay men    5. Sexual Instruction    6. Sexual intercourse    7. Gay studies (Gay men)   

Reviews (9)

Everything you ever wanted to ask, and more....
Totally fun.Lots of questions one might ask, and still more that will surprise and confound.The responses are cogent and helpful.For the beginner, this a good guide...for the veteran, this is a fun tour of your past, and perhaps your present, as well as future.

If You Can Think of It, Palermo Can Answer It
"If you can think of it, nationally-known sex columnist Tony Palermo can answer it, and he does so with style in this collection of the 100 most frequently asked questions about gay sex. Often humorous, always respectful, and never condescending, Sex Adviser answers serious questions about STD prevention, troubling questions about fidelity, and technical questions about what goes where. Issues are tackled with care, thorough research, and common sense. Sex Adviser is the perfect book for any man with questions about sex between men."--� zebraz

VERY INFORMATIVE...ButNot Everything
I have been openly homosexual for about the past year (except to my parents!) and this past year has been a real eye opener as far as what the gay community is all about.Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay men    3. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    4. Homosexuality, Male    5. Love / Sex / Marriage    6. Sex instruction for gay men    7. Sexual behavior    8. Sexuality    9. Social Science    10. Family & Relationships / Love & Romance    11. Gay & Lesbian studies    12. Sex & sexuality   

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. General    3. Homosexuality    4. Homosexuality, Male    5. Human Sexuality    6. Love / Sex / Marriage    7. Satire And Humor    8. Sex instruction for gay men    9. Sexual Instruction    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Gay & Lesbian studies    13. Sex & sexuality    14. Social Science / Gay Studies   

Reviews (2)

Revising a Classic for The Better
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.
Even better than the original!
An excellent "how to" manual for the sexually dominant man.Gay or straight, it makes no difference, the attitude and techniques described in this book cut to the essence of what makes sex worthwhile: power and control.Clearly written, with lengthy sexual anecdotes, it is as sexually charged a book as was ever written. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Social Science    3. Sociology    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 (6)

Very Helpful
I guess I could be described as a "newby" a relatively attractive guy who could use some helpful hints when it comes to hooking up. I got some useful tips regarding confidence, posture and pickup lines. I recommend this book for all gay men looking to score a little more than they are right now. In the advertisement , it said the book would give tips on how to make the other guys he's checking look bad. Unless I'm blind, there was nothing in the book about that. So for that reason I only gave it 4 stars

Not helpful
I found most of the advice in this book to be overly obvious and not very useful. Like where to go to meet guys--bars, saunas, gyms, gourmet food stores--duh! Tell me something I haven't already thought of, and tell me some lines that are really funny and not over the top stuff like, "Where can I find the freshest meat?" Who in the world really says that? I felt like the author treated the whole business of cruising and meeting guys to be a big joke, not the fine art that it is, and something that we really need to work on. Also, some of the stuff in there was just wrong--like "foreplay is for girls!" What??? I don't know what planet this guy is from, but foreplay, anticipation, andattraction are the hottest parts of chemistry that two males can share. If you want real advice on this, I think you're better off looking in the straight aisle, i.e. Double Your Dating by David deAngelo (a downloadable e-book). I've picked up some great tips there and have used them on boys.

Good advice indeed!
Where does a shy guy go to answer questions about how to meet other guys? I don't know about you but for this reader "How to get Laid" was just the answer. Thank you Mr. Bass for your useful hints and guidelines for those of us who aren't a Greek god amongst our homo brothers. Come to think of it, even you super hotties can probably learn a thing or two from this book. It's funny and frank and always informative. "How to get Laid" has helped me understand many things about confidence, personal grooming and even etiquette rules when cruising some where other than just your local gay bar. Love the illustrations too!
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Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay men    3. General    4. Love / Sex / Marriage    5. Sex instruction for gay men    6. Sexual Instruction    7. Sexual behavior    8. Social Science    9. Social life and customs    10. Sociology    11. Gay studies (Gay men)    12. Sex & sexuality    13. Social Science / Gay Studies   

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay musicians    3. General    4. Genres & Styles - General    5. Homosexuality and music    6. Instruction & Study - Theory    7. Music    8. Music/Songbooks    9. Musicology    10. Sex in music    11. Gay & Lesbian studies    12. Music / General   

Reviews (2)

More political and cultural than anything, but worth a look
I got little that could help me in my situation as a latebloomer, but did find this book informative in a political/cultural way in addition to gaining greater insight into what some of my transgendered friends have gone through.It has some good articles on the power behind strapping it on, kink, the butch/femme issue, etc.I found this to be a good primer to the history of the community, with some interesting detours along the way.

A little bit of everything
This book covers just about everything you could ever want to know about lesbian sex.More then a few friends have borrowed this book out of curiosity.They all found this book to be very interesting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Human Sexuality    2. Lesbian Studies    3. Lesbianism    4. Lesbians    5. Love / Sex / Marriage    6. Sex instruction for lesbians    7. Sexual Instruction    8. Sexual behavior    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Social Science / Lesbian Studies   

Reviews (4)

Good for Newbies
If you've just 'come out', this book is a good guide for learning about yourself and other women. Issues like casual sex versus monogamy, singlhood versus coupledness, disability and std's are covered - Loulan works hard to address the ways in which the dominant society impacts on self-image, while making it clear that lesbian culture has its own norms/mandates that sometimes confine individuality. Less Than Stellar
This book is a good resource for those who are curious about just what lesbians do in bed and how it is done, but overall it is really just stating the obvious.The book has cheesy drawings throughout, and though helpful if you're entirely clueless or can't figure some things out on your own, are little more than an amusing sidebar to the book's insulting elementary subject matter.That said, it's apparently been helpful to many others... reprinted several times now, it's still fairly high in the sales list.The book is organized like an encyclopedia of terms relating to lesbian sex, and is very informative, but just seems a little simple in some cases.Overall, a helpful aid but it won't enlighten you with any new ideas.

A great book
Wow...all the answers to all the questions you ever had and more.A great bedside companion, I really enjoyed this and recommend it to anyone who's interested in the subject...it's the one and only book you'll ever need tobuy...if you even need to buy one, that is ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    2. Lesbian Studies    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Sex instruction for lesbians    5. Sexual Instruction    6. Sexuality    7. Social Science    8. Gay & Lesbian studies   

Reviews (3)

short and few pictures
Skip it.You obviously have an internet connection and that far supercedes anything this book could offer you.

I'm riding my husband and we've both never felt better
After a couple of years of begging me to do this, I finally broke down and got the book. Wow !Once I had my harness on and the tool fully strapped in, I just took over.

Equal-Opportunity Sex Toys
I've read a couple of sex manuals that deal with toys, but this is the first one I've seen that gives equal time to all genders--and I do mean all. The author includes information for MTF and FTM transgendered peoplein a matter-of-fact way. All sexual orientations are treated with equalrespect as well. What a breath of fresh air!Read more

Subjects:  1. Human Sexuality    2. Love / Sex / Marriage    3. Psychology    4. Sexual Instruction    5. Sexuality    6. Sexuality - Manuals    7. Gay & Lesbian studies    8. Gender studies   

Reviews (1)

Excellent non-fiction SM
This is a very well written, interesting, and informative book about SM.The author is extremely articulate and discusses SM philosophy in addition to providing useful how-to information and history.There are also beautiful passages by various SM practitioners describing their experiences.I've read many SM books, fiction and nonfiction, and this is definitely one of the best.Note:This books is written from the point of view of a gay male; if that's a problem for you look elsewhere (although, too bad for you - this book is great). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Human Sexuality    2. Love / Sex / Marriage    3. Psychology    4. Sadomasochism    5. Sex instruction for gay men    6. Modern fiction   

Reviews (2)

Awesome book
I love this book.
for the inquiring lesbian
this was a great book for those women looking for information that can help themselves and their partners.it taps into the well-being of lesbians on multiple levels.if couples need an outsider perspective on life, this is it.it was interesting and fun to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    2. Homosexuality    3. Lesbian Studies    4. Lesbianism    5. Lesbians    6. Love / Sex / Marriage    7. Sex instruction for lesbians    8. Sexual Instruction    9. Sexual behavior surveys    10. Sexuality    11. Social Science    12. United States   

Reviews (5)

Not a how-to
Given the back of the book, it is easy to assume this a how-to book, another guide for the customer from Itiel.But this is really more of an autobiographical account of his own lifestyle choice to focus on the use of hustlers or male prostitutes.A solid definition of "virtual boyfriend" isn't even offered and the "how-to" parts are very few and far between.If you read his first book and thought he was an interesting man, you might like this.If you want to know how to get a virtual boyfriend, you mostly need to figure that out for yourself.

a sex worker's point of view
As a former sex worker, I want to praise the author of "Sex Workers as Virtual Boyfriends" for his insightfulness into hustlers' lives.For two difficult years I put myself through college as a parking valet.The work was hard, the pay miserable, and I breathed in a lot of polluted air.Then I started escorting.The job was easy for the most part, the pay excellent, and my health was not in jeopardy.Like the author says, a few clients did also become good friends....Of course, it is older dudes paying for the services of the younger guys.They get paid *because* they are younger and nobody is being exploited.We, young escorts know exactly what we are doing, and the older clients spend their money to fulfill their needs.I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to understand the life of sex workers.

Unpleasant at best
It is astonishing to me that this book was published at all.Much less by a scholarly small press.In Mr Itiel's defence it must be acknowledged that his writings will be of some value as source material for students of gay men and class dynamics.What makes this volume as revealing as it is disturbing are the insights offered unwittingly.Mr Itiel exhibits boundless pride in confiding his expert technique for scoring more sex for less dollars.In one memorable entry he shares tips on how best to train boys not to expect gifts - blithefully unconscious of any parallel to guidebooks on training spaniels.Almost in the same breath he asks we take special note that some of his rent boys grow into friends of a sort - even `virtual boyfriends'.He urges us to follow his example. Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay men    3. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    4. Human Sexuality    5. Love / Sex / Marriage    6. Male friendship    7. Male prostitution    8. Men's Studies - General    9. Sex instruction for gay men    10. Sexual behavior    11. Sexuality    12. Social Science    13. Family & Health    14. Gay studies (Gay men)    15. Prostitution   

Reviews (4)

Interesting anthology

I enjoyed this second volume MORE than the first!
If I have a problem with this "Awakening the Virgin" series it's that it's not really about first-time lesbian encounters so much as women recalling a particular encounter they had later in life, or a particular woman.I guess I had hopes of more lesbian seduction. A disappointing reawakening
I anticipated with eagerness the arrival of the followup tome to Awakening the Virgin part 1, a splendid and evocative celebration of lesbian relationships. However, the followup, while well-written, has none of the gentle, magical discovery of its earlier counterpart. This book will still hold appeal for the reader with kinkier or wilder interests, but may be too daring and elusive for more tentative, curious novices. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Erotica - General    2. Fiction    3. Fiction - Adult    4. Lesbian Studies    5. Lesbianism    6. Lesbians    7. Seduction    8. Sexual behavior    9. Women    10. Fiction / Erotica    11. General & Literary Fiction    12. Literature of special Lesbian interest    13. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (4)

Neither helpful or Biblical
This book takes tolerance to the point of ridiculous. Two former bishops in the Lutheran church--who therefore should have a strong sense of responsibility as teachers--Chilstrom and Erdahl claim to put forth a middle ground in this book on sexuality. Instead, they ultimately end up suggesting a life style that is hard to distinguish from "If it feels good, do it." Solid Coherent Eposition of Christian faith and Human Sexual
Walks a fine path between conservative traditionalism and permissivism, Chilstrom and Erdahl's work offers practical Christian hope between the extremes.

Opinion over Principle
Herbert Chilstrom and Lowell Erdahl make use of the fact that they have been pastors and officials in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America to validate their book.The fact is that their book is neither evangelical nor Lutheran nor in keeping with the teachings of the church.Therefore they should in fairness have refrained from bolstering their opinions with references to their service in the church.The members of their church have every right to resent this.Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - Interpersonal Relationships    2. Ethics    3. Human Sexuality    4. Love & Romance    5. Religion    6. Religion - Christian Life    7. Religion - Christian Living    8. Religious aspects    9. Sex    10. Sex instruction    11. Sexual Ethics    12. Sexuality    13. Christian social thought & activity    14. Marriage, family & other relationships    15. Sex & sexuality   

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Entertaining - General    3. Gay Studies    4. Gay men    5. Gender Studies    6. Group sex    7. Human Sexuality    8. Parties    9. Psychology    10. Sex instruction for gay men    11. Sexual behavior    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Human Sexuality    13. Sex & sexuality   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (7)

Just Call Me Pretzel Man!
After going through the various stretching, pubic conditioning, and sexual endurance excercises described in this book, my boyfriend could not beleive the positions I was able to accomplish!This book is fabulous!This bookwas the key I needed to unlock my latent sexual powers, and it was also thespark needed to ignite Raul's and my sexual relationship.I came out ofthe closet only a short time ago, and "The Gay Kama Sutra," withit's soothing and confident tone, gave me the courage I needed to enjoy mylifestyle and its fiery sexuality.Although this book did have a pletheraof pleasing positions (my, what an alliteration!), it was a bit lacking inthe "Advanced" category.But if you are enticed by positionalnames such as the "Shanghai Clam" and the "ReverseButterfly," I strongly encourage you to purchase this book.

Not what I expected.
I got this book hoping to spark my boyfriend's and my imagination. However, this book offers no advice. It tells you basically everything you alredy know or will know as soon as you've been out for a year or two. Thepositions that they display could be imagined by any 14 year-old boy with ahormone surge. The advice on relationships and how to maintain them isgood, but any guy with enough common sense to effectly and successfulysolve his relationship problems without the aid of Jerry Springer will notbenefit from this book.

Be reminded how to MAKE LOVE not just HAVE SEX
This illustrated book reminds us how to really enjoy all the sensual pleasures of sex with another man.For anyone who has found himself in a rut of "quickies," this may inspire you to create more fulfillingsexual experiences. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay men    3. Homosexuality, Male    4. Love / Sex / Marriage    5. Sex education    6. Sex instruction for gay men    7. Sexual Instruction    8. Sexual behavior    9. Social Science    10. Sociology   

Reviews (6)

Straight Women Love This Book
While reading "How to Get a Six-Figure Cash Advance," by Susan Harrow, I came across a one-page example of pitch letter on "Men Are Pigs, But We Love Bacon."
Much To Do About Virtually Nothing.
Mildly entertaining....modestly informative...mostly silly....more often inane.Save your money!

Going Hog Wild in Bed
This book is too crude for words.I was genuinely shocked by some of the language.But that aside, you can't help but laugh at Alvear's observations of the male psyche.I like the formatting of the book:Questions are bolded; answers are not, making it easier on the eyes.Also, the questions and answers average about 400 words, making it easy on the brain.Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gay men    3. Gay/Lesbian Nonfiction    4. General    5. Health and hygiene    6. Love / Sex / Marriage    7. Mental health    8. Reference    9. Sex instruction for gay men    10. Sexual Instruction    11. Sexual behavior    12. Sexuality   

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   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Rituals & Practice    2. Eastern - Gurus    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Religion    5. Sexual Instruction    6. Cultural Region/Indian    7. Religion/Eastern - General    8. Self-Help / Sexual Instruction    9. Sex & Gender/Gay    10. Sex & Gender/Lesbian   

Reviews (5)

SENSUOUS MAGIC AT HOME
I've only been involved in the BDSM lifestyle since last summer (2005)but have already read many books to help educate myself on the subject.In addition to SM 101 by Jay Wiseman and Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns, this is one of the best books I've read so far.Not only does Patrick Califia cover some things I've learned in other books, he also introduces some new terminology that I was unfamiliar with.The book is both informative and amusing, as well as educational.It's well written and I'm glad that I have the 2nd edition of the book as he covers things in this one that was not covered in the 1st edition due to restrictions at the time it was published.As he points out, BDSM has become a lot more accepted in "polite" society today than it was in the 90s.For those of us in the lifestyle, we now have better reading material and easier ways to find one another today than we had in the past.I highly recommend Sensuous Magic for both the novice and more experienced players.

A good place to begin
Sensuous Magic is Pat Califa's basic intro to BDSM play.The book is somewhat short and does not cover a very wide spectrum of play, however, it does provide a good overview of the basics.If you are looking for a "how to" book of techniques, you are better off with a book like SM 101 or Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns. Great for Everyone!
Top, Bottom, or switch, this book isn't wishy-washy erotica (although there are somme charming short stories for illustration within) but rather a terrific book on the emotional how-to's of S&M. The focus is onsafety and consent, how to avoid hurting the person(s) you are with and howto avoid getitng hurt. If only all manuals had this much focus on the wellbeing of the people involved! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bondage (Sexual behavior)    2. Family/Marriage    3. Love / Sex / Marriage    4. Sadomasochism    5. Sexual Instruction    6. Sexuality    7. Erotic fiction    8. Literature of special Lesbian interest