The New Topping Book [Paperback]

Dossie Easton (Author), Janet W. Hardy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2003

Tens of thousands learned the emotional and ethical skills of BDSM topping from the first `Topping Book.` Now, in addition to the sage advice and good humor that made the first edition a classic, the authors tackle some of the issues that have come up for tops in the last six years: on-line domination, the challenges and rewards of `lifestyle` relationships, ensuring our own and our partners` safety, and more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Dossie Easton is a licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor who specializes in the concerns of people with alternative sexualities. A lesbian bottom, she has been active in the S/M scene since the early 1960s.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Greenery Press (CA); 2nd edition (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890159360
• ISBN-13: 978-1890159368
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great "Topping Manual", April 14, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: The New Topping Book (Paperback)

This updated edition of the classic "The Topping Book" contains all of the great information of the original, plus some updated info about "SM on the Internet," the proliferation of SM groups across the country, and so forth.

I've always enjoyed the authors' writing style (very informal, friendly, and to the point) in other books they've written together and The New Topping Book is no exception. It provides lots of good information and thoughtful points. I've been into SM for over a decade, yet there were still items in this book I hadn't thought of or considered before reading it.

The authors speak of "ritual" in SM. Very good point and the longer I do this sort of thing, the more I agree with them on this point. In fact, they devote a whole chapter to "spiritual SM," describing ways to incorporate ritual into your scene. They also talk about "shadow play," ie ways to do scenes with major emotional risk, both ways to do them and how to end them safely, and what to do if something goes wrong.

In fact early on in the book, Janet and Dossie discuss what to do when something goes wrong, and how to handle this, whether it's during the scene, right after, or even a day or several days later. This also goes for after care, for even when a scene goes great, one or both participants may want or need this.

Among other topics mentioned? As in the original edition, chapters feature topics like "What Is It About Topping Anyway" (ie 'why the attraction to it'), Rights and Responsibilities of a Top, Learning to Play, Ethics, even where and how to meet others (always of importance).

The end of the book has a short "resource guide" of books, support groups, even a couple of online resources for the reader to learn more. It's nice to see an update for this classic. Excellent job you two!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-written, accessible, good basic book., January 10, 2007

By 

E. Bremner "realistic optimist" (Your Backyard, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New Topping Book (Paperback)

This is a good basic introduction to the concept of "topping" others. It covers all of the essential principles of ethics (honesty, disclosure, anonymity/"out"-ness, respect for limits, and every other critical area of ethical play). It also goes into detail about all areas of BDSM safety, from the physical (i.e., "never leave a bound person alone," basic principles of safer sex, the importance of experience before heavy play, etc.) to emotional safety--thorough negotiation, safewords, limits & the importance of respecting them, "top-drop", and other issues that may emerge. I especially appreciated the scenarios and vignettes the authors used to describe a scene and its happenings, and then deconstructing the scene to show how they handled themselves. The book does a great job of making the reader feel comfortable as a member of the BDSM world--it is gentle on the newbies!
The only issue I have with this and virtually all other books on being a top or a dom is that I was hoping it would give me more ideas about what to "do." I have read many of the basic primers on the subject and feel ready to go to the next level of actually trying out some of the techniques I am interested in. There just aren't many books that outline potential scenes or techniques--and they are sorely needed!! Perhaps Ms. Easton and Ms. Hardy/Ms. Lizst/Lady Green could give us another book in the future...?!?! I would buy it immediately!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fem Dom's Opinion, February 15, 2007

By 

T. A. Smith "The Granny Witch" (Delta, PA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New Topping Book (Paperback)

This Book is a really good primer for aspiring tops, and those interested in BDSM. More experienced Domme's may find it covers information they already have, but you never have too much knowledge.The material was presented with level headed-ness and humor.