The Master's Manual: A Handbook of Erotic Dominance [Paperback]

Jack Rinella (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1881943038 | ISBN-13: 978-1881943037 | Publication Date: August 1, 1994

This book examines various aspects of erotic dominance including SM, safety, sex, erotic power, techniques, and much more. Even if your primary interest is erotic submission rather than dominance, this book will give you insights that will help you lead you to a more fufilling sexuality. The author speaks in a clear, frank, and nonjudgemental way to anyone with an interest in the erotic dominant/submissive dynamic.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This is an essential read for anyone wanting to understand how S/M can be primal, when leather can be spiritual, why someone could be proud of being a sadist, or how to find joy and wholeness in our dark sides. Rinella notes that "attitude makes the difference between being a master and a top," and The Master's Manual is unequaled in its discussion of the attitude of power and the soul of a master. This is the second book any novice dominant or submissive should read. While the basic how-to of Sensuous Magic or Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns is essential, The Master's Manual builds on that knowledge with things such as "Rinella's Six Attributes Every Master Needs" (like self-confidence, trustworthiness, and acceptance of self), the strength and courage of submissives, the application of discipline, and suggestions on the training of submissives. It's a peerless resource for anyone who wants to be, or wants to understand, a master.

While much of the wisdom in The Master's Manual is gleaned from the gay leather scene, Rinella's honest and nonjudgmental writing is appropriate for people of any orientation who seek to learn more about the empowerment and ecstasy that can be found in leathersex. Each of the 40 pieces was written to stand alone, and they cover topics from how to become a master, why someone would want to, fiction and nonfiction leather classics and classics-to-be, contracts and commitments, how to deal with a scene gone wrong, and more. Taken together, they combine to form a picture of a world where "we can live our fantasies and face our fears. The real self can emerge from behind the mask of culture." --Cheryl Trooskin

About the Author

Jack Rinella is a freelance writer who writes for several regional and national publications. He is also a sought after speaker. He brings ten years of life experience to this topic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Daedalus Publishing Company (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1881943038
• ISBN-13: 978-1881943037
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Gay & Lesbian > Nonfiction > Sexuality

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

64 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for a dominant, regardless of gender/orientation., January 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Master's Manual: A Handbook of Erotic Dominance (Paperback)

I am a hetero dom and, contrary to someone's earlier homophobic review, I found this book to be of great interest and extremely relevant. The need to understand dominance and submission trancends gender and orientation. The book is thoughtfully written and well edited. There are many complex philosophical issues within the leather experience that I have tangled with myself and the author addresses those issues with care, attention and the insight of one who has resolved his own internal conflicts. Jack, you done good. Thanks for your work and your willingness to share your experience. This is a book that should be in the library of anyone involved with or interested in power exchange relationships.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Look at D/s, April 10, 2000

By 

Todd Hawley (San Francisco CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Master's Manual: A Handbook of Erotic Dominance (Paperback)

This book is a series of essays the author wrote about various D/s topics. While written from a gay male perspective, the information presented here transcends all sexual orientations and genders and can be applied to any D/s relationship.

I'm truly sorry the one individual who posted the negative review failed to understand this. Screw the Roses is an excellent book, but does not explore D/s dynamics as well as this book. I'm also a het male Dominant, but I learned a lot from reading this book!

Well worth reading for any Dominant who wishes to learn more about D/s.

37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First Rate Reference, June 24, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Master's Manual: A Handbook of Erotic Dominance (Paperback)

I am a formally trained dominant and as such constantly seek to keep that "training" current. After over 20+ years I rarely get surprised and usually scoff at what I read as being published "just to get the bucks out of the giggling behind closed dors crowd." This one is different. It should be required reading of anyone in/entering/curious about D/s. Since reading it I have been telling the curious submissives I encounter to read it. I also suggest that once they read it they should test the knowledge of any alleged "dom" as to their knowlede of this book and its contents. Well worth the reading. No comment on style, etc. The content is there, READ IT! READ IT COMPLETELY! READ IT COMPLETELY NOW! Dr. Jones