Customer Reviews

Learning the Ropes: A Basic Guide to Safe and Fun S/M Lovemaking

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
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"How To Do SM" books seem to come in three sizes, small booklets, mid-sized books and large textbooks.

"Learning The Ropes" is an excellent small booklet on SM. You can read the whole thing in about an hour and it will get you on the right track. The author is a very experienced leatherman who is well known in his community and knows what he is talking about. There are also a number of examples of SM play that are good to read and they involved various genders and roles.

All in all, this book puts an accurate and human face on SM. I highly recommend it.

Other small booklets on SM include "The Sexually Dominant Woman" and "Consensual Sadomasochism". Good mid-sized books are "The Loving Dominant" and "The Master's Manual". For textbook-sized books, read "Screw The Roses Send Me The Thorns" and "SM 101".

the writing style is a bit stilted and strained at times, but the content is worth the worse than average writing style. Both the novice and the experienced will benefit from this book - it has a little bit for everyone. Especially enjoyed the "couples" aspect of it.

This is one of those introductory books that I highly recommend to people who think they may be interested in BDSM -- the other is "Sensuous Magic" by Pat Califia which I see is being reprinted this year. Race Bannon, you have to wonder if he chose this as a penname or if its his real name, has done a great job on be concise and yet clear in describing a type of sexuality and initmacy that some people enjoy. It also does a good job of being realistic, not making SM too romantic or simple so that everyone wants to run out and try it because frankly BDSM is not for everyone and should not be attempted by everyone. Publishers out there, I think it is time to reprint this book and make it more widely available. In an age of increasing media attention on the kinky, it would be a great way to make people's sex lives and relationships a bit safer and a bit more rewarding.