Customer Reviews

Brothel: Mustang Ranch and Its Women

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unlike illegal drugs, prostitution has received very little in the way of serious study. That's what makes Alexa Albert's book, "Brothel" so valuable. Despite her queasiness with the subject matter, Albert has managed to write a well balanced book that frankly portrays the pros and cons of legalized prostitution. There are a lot of surprises in the book, not the least of which is that nuances of the personalities of the working girls themselves. They do not all come from poor backgrounds, nor are they all victims of prior sexual abuse. They do not all have drug problems, nor are they all subservient to men. In short, their backgrounds are as varied as their stories.

Having said that, Albert's book is not for everyone. It is at times very sexually frank and contains some scenes that are not for the squeamish. I also found the passages where Albert worries about what her family will think of her research to be distracting and not relevant. It is enough for Albert to say that her feelings about what she witnesses are conflicted. This is a difficult subject, and this book should be read by both those who believe (as I do) that prostitution ought to be legalized on a wider basis and by those who would seek to try and eradicate it. Whatever your position, this book is guaranteed to surprise you.

Albert was given special permission to investigate the link between condom use and # of STDs among the professional women of the Mustang Ranch brothel for a graduate assignment. Albert not only presents this information, but also the reasons these women chose this career, the background of the famed Mustang Ranch in NV (and other brothels in NV), and a look at the day to day lives of these girls. Albert has a lot of respect for these women and staff so this book is no means insulting nor overtly filled with details of victimization or sexual misconduct (rape or abuse). Albert does a good job at showing the perks and the downfalls of being a prostitute and detailing the history of the institution.

What an interesting and intriguing book. Perfectly told with great insight, clarity and reflection. I'd love to read more about what happened with some of the women and am ever more curious about the impact of legalizing the illicit. It clearly raises the question in my mind of what would be the benefits of legalizing prostitution in other states. And what of legal prostitution in other countries? Is the success the same or the parameters different? A great read - already recommended to many.

This is an excellent book in a documentary style about the Mustang Ranch in Nevada and legal prostitution. While most of the book covers the sex workers, there is also a chapter on their customer's perspectives. It offers a very interesting view into legal prostitution. It also talks about whether sex is a right, and sex as therapy. I think it fairly portrays both the good and the bad sides of this profession.

This book argues for legal prostitution, and I think that most objective people will be convinced by the ample evidence that is offered. At the same time, legality doesn't make it any more fun, nor does it remove the social stigma of prostitution.

The topic is fascinating, but so is the writing. I finished this book in a single evening, reading it from cover to cover.

Great book-- also could not put it down. I have been a dancer and an escort for 14 years and it was nice to be able to relate with the stories of these women. This book gives some good insight to what women in our business really think about this job we are in. I do have to wonder though, Alexa... it seems somewhere in the back of your mind you may desire to be in this line of (illusion) work, hmmm...

At first glance, I was reluctant to even pick Brothel up of the bookshelf for fear that someone might see me looking at a dirty book. That fear, in and of itself, reveals my own religious socialization that has taught me since birth that prostitutes are evil and doomed to Hell. Never mind the fact that it takes two to tango; it was always the woman that was going to cook, not the poor dumb man who was obviously seduced. However, any close look at this profession rapidly leads to the obvious conclusion that prostitution largely exists to satisfy the needs of men to have pleasure with women. It is difficult to imagine that prostitution is a popular career goal amongst women, and I daresay that even those who do work at the Mustang Ranch today did not anticipate in their youth that one day they would be prostitutes. Having sex with multiple partners of various sizes, shapes, smells and predilections every day is a job description that could, in my mind, only be offset by meaningful financial reward.

Alexa Alberts book is a remarkably candid look at the worlds oldest profession (I argue that it is the second oldest; the oldest being those who are quick to judge the morals of others). As a medical student, now an MD, Dr. Alberts account escapes the clinical prose common to the New England Journal of Medicine and breaths a style of common reality into her subject. Being a woman, writing about a most sacred cow of manhood, the expectation might be that her account would be somewhat less than objective. I must admit that as I perused the dust cover (held very close to my chest under my raincoat) that I was skeptical. Oh no! Another womens studies book slamming men for something we cant help. I was pleasantly surprised that Dr. Alberts writing was open, honest and non-judgmental, both for the prostitutes she described and their patrons. It is a frank discussion of the issues we might always have wanted to know, but were afraid to ask.

Prostitution is not a topic of conversation that many Americans are prepared to casually bring up either with friends or strangers. I think that it is safe to say that there is really no objectivity when it comes to this subject, only varying degrees of subjectivity depending on the audience and circumstance of the conversation. Brothel provides a glimpse into prostitution that I believe could otherwise only be obtained by becoming either a working girl or patron of the Mustang Ranch. Dr. Alberts opportunity to observe was unique and unusual, and Brothel is the result of maximizing this opportunity in a manner that is both informative and insightful.

The book presents a highly readable account that answers many obvious questions, and gives rise to other issues that I had not considered before. Of significant value, however, are the factual statistics and considerations that allow the reader to compare the results between legal prostitution and illegal prostitution as they relate to sexually transmitted disease, sexual crimes and abuse, and violence in our society today.

Its a cinch that the demand in this industry will always exceed the supply, no matter how moral or immoral our society becomes. The longevity of prostitution as a profession can only be attributed to human nature, and its craving for physical and emotional intimacy. For most Americans, our religious socialization has taught us that these cravings can only and should only be found within the bonds of marriage. Yet if such were truly so, there would be little work and few customers for the Mustang Ranch.

It is axiomatic that we fear greatest the things we understand the least, and certainly prostitution falls within the category of something that few of us really understand. Dr. Alberts book goes a long way in giving us understanding as it relates to prostitution, which for may Americans has heretofore been tantamount to folklore handed down through multiple generations of religious and political socialization. I highly recommend this book for adult readers. Some of the discussion is frank, and perhaps too graphic for teenagers. I did not find the book prurient or pornographic, and viewed the discussion of sexual acts as straightforward, almost clinical.

I have been aware of the Mustang Ranch since I was a small child. It had an unknown mystical veil hanging over it which, of course, only made me more curious. However being a woman I knew the only way I could ever find out more about it was to go in as a working girl. That was out of the question so I retired any querrys into that relm. When I heard about "Brothel" I literally raced to the book store to buy it. I read it in one day and found it not only interesting but captivating. Mrs. Albert was a little bias in the begining but succuming to her curiousity her feelings changed and her mind opened. She tried to be nonjugmental but once imursed into the world found she no longer had to try. Her willingness to explore human kinds oldest profession, while experiencing and over coming her own stigmas, while still being able to give an honest and accurate portrail of the life these women lead is amazing and refreshing. By far the best real life book I have ever read.

This book is truly engrossing and is the closest thing to demystifying brothels that you will probably ever see. It is extremely well-written and portrays a unique look inside the world of legalized prostitution, showing both the psychology behind these women and the day-to-day activities. It succeeds at portraying all aspects of those who choose this life, whether they are prostitutes, cooks, cashiers or maids at the brothel. A fascinating read, highly recommended.

Alexa Albert provides an honest,factual account of the workings of a brothel. Her analysis covers everything from the history of prosititution in Nevada, to major players in the business to the day to day operation of the Mustang Ranch. What I found to be even more intresting were the stories of the individual prostitutes and the lives they have away from the ranch. Alexa's writing style is very descriptive and easy to read. It's been quite some time since I've had a book that's this hard to put down!

This book explains the things that you have always wondered. From the procedure for a "party" to the administrative workings of a brothel, this book talks about what most people wonder. The author walks you through her experiences at the brothel- both objective information and her personal journey into a tough subject. The author is clear about her own views, but does not force the reader to agree with her. I couldn't put the book down until I had learned all it had to say. Too bad I can't meet Baby or some of the other wonderful people in the book.