The Joy of Gay Sex, Revised & Expanded Third Edition [Paperback]

Charles Silverstein (Author), Felice Picano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 2004

For a new century and a new generation of readers comes a fully revised and expanded edition of a classic guide to gay sex, love, and life.

Invaluable as a sex guide, a resource on building self-esteem, and a trusted aid for coming out of the closet, The Joy of Gay Sex covers the ins and outs of gay life alphabetically from "anus" to "wrestling." Noted psychologist Dr. Charles Silverstein has collaborated once again with critically acclaimed novelist Felice Picano on this third edition, updating every single entry and adding nearly thirty new entries. The authors provide positive and responsible advice on safe sex in all its varieties; on emotional and relationship-oriented issues such as long-term couples, loneliness, and growing older; and on scores of diverse topics ranging from spirituality to online dating. With fifty new line drawings by acclaimed illustrator Joseph Phillips, this landmark reference is a necessary addition to every gay man's bookshelf.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Anal sex, Barebacking, Cruising-the ABCs of gay male sexuality get neatly presented here in an encyclopedic format with a savvy, knowledgeable attitude. A good number of the entries, though, seem unnecessary: perfunctory explanations of kissing ("an integral part of the entire experience of making love"), pornography ("the object is to turn you on") and phone sex ("use adjectives describing yourself and your favorite sexual scenes. If you don't know which words to use, watch a porn video and note those words that turn you on"), for example, will enlighten only the very inexperienced. Psychologist Silverstein and author-poet Picano make a notable attempt in this edition to define crucial elements of the "changing sociopolitical landscape of gay men's lives in the early twenty-first century" by including such topics as HIV "cocktail" treatments, bisexuality and transgenderism and the internet's role in helping fetishists connect. But many entries continue to feel sanitized, despite the authors' decision to use sexual slang and expletives. Others need a dose of editorial Viagra to provide clued-in readers with the kind of candid, useful information they might be searching for. Entries addressing issues such as domestic violence, gay liberation and civil rights feel out of place in a manual dedicated to the machinations of sexuality complete with illustrations depicting everything from fisting to sex parties. Originally published in 1977, four years after the American Psychiatric Association reversed its decision labeling homosexuality a mental disorder, The Joy of Gay Sex continues to be a popular resource due to its "permissive tone about sex," an important feature and one that has been carefully retained in this revised edition. Readers may object to the title (which lacks the word "male"), the illustrations (which almost solely feature wiry, tattooed and hairless men) and some of the theories (the "daddy/son scene" may be enjoying increased popularity owing to a "greater need for good parenting"), but this is nevertheless a needed title.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Dr. Charles Silverstein is a licensed psychologist in private practice in New York City. He is best known for his presentation before the Nomenclature Committee of the American Psychiatric Association that led to the removal of homosexuality as a mental illness from the organization’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; 3 Rev Exp edition (May 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060012749
• ISBN-13: 978-0060012748
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #71 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Nonfiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must read!!! LOTS of info!, July 10, 2004

By 

Jerrid (Northern IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Joy of Gay Sex: Fully Revised and Expanded Third Edition (Hardcover)

I absolutely loved this book! It was chalk-full of clearly presented, mostly objective information. There wasnt preachy like some books can be... It was very objective, gave u the option of assigning ur own opinion... The only preachiness was of things that could be hazardous to your physical/mental health. The authors have a very optimistic attitude toward sex, which is extremely refreshing, and they basically say that if you follow safe sex guidelines and avoid people, places, and situations that might cause unsafe sex, u can lead a satisfying and healthy sex life.
This book is a must read for anyone new to the gay scene as it provides information on a wide variety of topics and makes u aware of certain scenes and practices and risks associated with them. I found the information on AIDS and HIV and also the section on STD's VERY helpful. It cleared up many questions I had and debunked all the false info.
I especially enjoyed this book as it was written in part by a psychologist, and so the information was given in a kind of psychologically logical way. Since many of the sections dealt with sexual practices, they are behaviours and the author presented them as such and goes into possible sources for these behaviours and preferences.
I enjoyed the illustrations even thought they were only pencil illustrations. They were exceptionally done and I actually got turned on by them LoL
Also the Appendix supplied me with many useful resources for other books and helpful organizations for future reference.
This book is full of helpful information and advice and, again, I highly recommend this book to anyone new to the gay scene, or even just as a reference. This book has become an invaluable reference for me, and I hope it becomes the same for all of you as well!

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars gay sex eye opener, June 4, 2003

By 

Derek Williams "Derek Williams" (Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Joy of Gay Sex: Fully Revised and Expanded Third Edition (Hardcover)

due to the complete lack of any sex education for gay men when I was a student, owing to the fact that the system assumes all students are heterosexual and educates them as such, I had to learn about sex "on the road" so to speak - this book is a serious attempt to redress this - well done

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a bad read.. Very Interesting..., May 3, 2007

By 

Kiren Carpenter "carpentersfan2007" (Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Joy of Gay Sex, Revised & Expanded Third Edition (Paperback)

As a gay man I knew about most of topics covered in this book. However it's been on my "to read list" for some time. It was well written and in a way that I could understand. I agree with most if not all of the authors views. The only complaint that I have is the tone that he took on the subject of "foreskin" Telling readers to "grow up" for being pro or anti-circumcsion was not needed. Otherwise the book was really good and I would recommend it to anyone who is gay. Or to the parents of recently "outted" gay teens and young men...