Anal Pleasure & Health: A Guide for Men and Women [Paperback]

Jack Morin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2000

For many years the focus of fear and disgust, the anus is actually one of the human body's most wondrous creations-elegant, efficient, and richly supplied with pleasure nerves. However, stress and ignorance can turn the anus and its functions from a source of delight into a painful disability. What's needed is an owner's manual-and here it is! Join therapist and sexologist Jack Morin, Ph.D., on this tour of the anus, complete with information and exercises to open the door to new sources of comfort and gratification. You'll unlearn habits that can cause everything from hemorrhoids to chronic pelvic pain- and, if you choose, learn new ways of achieving solo and partnered pleasures through this humblest of portals.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Te bible of anal sanity, featuring tremendous new thoughts and information." --Susie Bright, author, editor, and journalist

"Anal Pleasure and Health is the original guide to anal eroticism and still the greatest." --Michael Castleman, author, Great Sex

"Based on original research that brought the topic into popular discussion nearly three decades ago,this new 4th Edition is the most insightful and readable version yet. It's simply the best book available on the subject." --Marty Klein, Ph.D, author/publisher --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Jack Morin, Ph.D., has been studying the erotic adventure as a clinician and researcher for more than three decades, often delving into uncharted territory. He is the author of The Erotic Mind, an in-depth guide to what turns us on-and why. He's a professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies and a faculty member at the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. He practices psychotherapy and sex therapy in the San Francisco Bay Area. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Down There Press; 3 Revised edition (July 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940208202
• ISBN-13: 978-0940208209
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #828,632 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

170 of 175 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting in touch with the most taboo-ed body part, October 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Anal Pleasure & Health: A Guide for Men and Women (Paperback)

This book is indispensible reading for anybody thinking of exploring anal eroticism in any or all of its forms. Unlike some writers, Morin spends as much time focusing on using fingers, tongues and toys as he does on intercourse, and he emphasizes becoming comfortable with your body and finding out what (if any) forms of anal stimulation *you* enjoy, rather than making yourself feel inadequate for failing to meet external "goals".

But the "health" part of the title shouldn't be ignored - as well as providing invaluable information on how to make anal play safe and fun for all concerned, Morin also covers the general health of this most-maligned area of the body. His guidance on relaxation and care seems as if it would be useful for anyone with IBS, constipation, haemorrhoids or any other anal or related problem, and his mission to remove shame and pain is equally relevant here.

At first, the novice reader may find themselves getting hopelessly giggly when urged to find out what their anuses are trying to tell them. But keep reading - you may find out more than you bargained for.

142 of 149 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish my doctors had read this book., December 13, 1998

By 

Treebyleaf McCurdy (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anal Pleasure & Health: A Guide for Men and Women (Paperback)

The "Anal Health" part of the title is no joke. From my late teens I was plagued with stabbing cramps, bleeding, and messier symptoms-- doctors cited stress, irritable bowel syndrome, and had nothing to reccommend but yet more fiber. In a matter of short weeks, the relaxation and muscle control exercises in this book cut down the pain I'd suffered for years. This is a must for any general medical practioner, anyone diagonosed with IBS, and, I'm tempted to say, anyone with a butt.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dispels a lot of ignorance, shame and openly discusses all aspects of anal sex, August 28, 2007

By 

Patrick D. Goonan "see profile for URL" (Livermore, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Anal Pleasure & Health: A Guide for Men and Women (Paperback)

I typically don't review books on sexual technique, eroticism, etc. However, I do review books on human sexuality and I do it from a unique perspective as one educated both in the hard sciences and psychology. I also have a deep interest in the mind-body connection and human sexuality as an integrating force. In my practice, I see a lot of the fallout from ignorance, acting out and shame, which is what has largely prompted me to write this review.

I initially encountered Jack Morin through his book The Erotic Mind: Unlocking the Inner Sources of Passion and Fulfillment. In my opinion, it is the hands down best book on understanding human sexual fantasy, how this operates in everyday life, etc. My second favorite that talk about evolutionary programming is The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating. Armed with these two books you can get a deep and wide perspective on sexuality with a small investment of time. If I could, I would make them required reading for anyone with a sex drive!!

After reading THE EROTIC MIND, I looked for other books by Jack Morin and discovered this one. I was surprised he wrote a book on anal pleasure and health given his specialty in psychology. I didn't expect much when the book arrived, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that this is a well-researched, broad spectrum treatment of anal eroticsm in all it's aspects. It includes information on physiology, health risks, various practices, "how to" tips, etc.

It is obvious according to research that many heterosexual as well as gay couples explore this territory. It is also a fact that it can be quite pleasurable for many people, but yet there is still a lot of shame sorrounding it. I see this book as a big step forward in getting these discussions inquiries out into the public eye. Young people are going to experiment, long-term couples are going to try new things and some people are going to participate in anal eroticism as their main sexual event. Given this sexual landscape, this book can help people to stay safe, maximize their pleasure and understand the risks involved in this type of sexual play.

I know there are many books on this topic written from many angles, however, I haven't seen one as multi-dimensional and concise as this. There is no hype here, just a dense collection of practical no nonsense information. If you are curious about exploring this area with your partner or you have a partner that is reluctant to try it, you may want to read this book together.

I would like to mention that although the book is dense with content, it is easily readable by anyone. It is not difficult, too technical, too clinical or filled with assertions that are not supported by research or expert opinion.

I understand that there are some people who object to anal sex on moral grounds and I understand that. However, whether any group or individual thinks it's right or wrong, I don't think people should be hurt, put themselves needlessly in harms way, etc. Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with anal sex.

In general, I think the intention behind any act is what largely makes it positive or negative. I have also found that no two things on the planet backfire more than guilt and sex in the sexual arena. I talk to many hurt people who have acted out or hurt others through the inappropriate expression of their sexuality because of these two emotional demons. That is not to say that I think anything goes, just that guilt and shame usually perpetuate that which they are trying to prevent. Two good books that I really like that talk more about this area are: Women, Sex, and Addiction: A Search for Love and Power, Private Lies: Infidelity and Betrayal of Intimacy and Don't Call It Love: Recovery From Sexual Addiction.

There is no reason that any play can't be safe and fun. This book will help you to understand how to do it and do it right. If you thought you could never have anal intercourse, this book will give you all the information you need to learn how quickly and safely.