Customer Reviews

The Principles: The Gay Man's Guide To Getting (And Keeping) Mr. Right

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What an awful book! Yes, it is witty in some places, but this is nothing more than some light weight humor that depicts an awfully bad light on being a gay man. Outland states that sex is a must by the second date and the overlying tone of the whole book is that sex is what it's all about. In a book about finding "Mr. Right," I'd expect something about relationships. Seriously, save your money - the Patrick Price book on relationships/gay marriage is much better, more amusing, and yet full of real world advice that might actually work without the stupd gimmicks and movie-principles Outland talks about.

I read several books on finding a mate, and while this book had a few very useful tips, it's focus seemed to be more on bath-houses and "campy" humor. Save your money, here! 2 books to buy are: Husband Hunting Made Easy (Patrick Price) and Finding True Love in a Man-Eat-Man World (Craig Nelson). The Patrick Price book is #1 if you only want to buy one book. I used the information from these books, and have found my Mr. Right. Good luck!

Yeah: We know the rules, the things we must follow to find the man of our dreams. Do this, do that, don't do it! I told you not to... But, if you're tired of following recipes to bake your man, this is the book to follow! Easy to read, easy to keep in mind and easy to buy. What else can be asked? Maybe you'll find that you have to be a little cinema-fan to understand some of the principles described. But if you are not, then this is the time to find out about the plot of some of those movies you hear now and then at parties. Believe me, this is and absolutely delightful book, even if you are not in search of your knight in shining armor!

One of the most difficult things to find in the homosexual culture is honesty. How can you blame us? Most of us are forced to lie (to ourselves and others) for the first 17 years of our lives...quite like smoking, it's a difficult habit to drop.

When an author puts out a book about gay life, one thing I pay attention to: Is this author being HONEST about what gay life style is like? I am proud and embarrassed to say that Orland Outland hits a lot of the misconceptions and frustrations of the gay dating game right on the head.

I think everyone has the romantically idealistic friend that needs to be smacked in the face with reality, or perhaps this book. They believe Mr. Right will find them. They believe no matter what they look like, Mr Right will see right through the fat and bad hair. They believe that one day, Juan will come up to them in a coffee house, and sweep them away to a fantastic tropical paradise, where cake has zero calories, sex with out a condom is ok, and love comes with out sacrifice.

I think every one of us WAS that person at one point in time. "The Principles" is written directly for that person.

Most of us reading "The Principles" will be nodding along with Mr Orland Outland's gentle scolding and witty pointers. Most of us will be laughing as Mr Outland discusses those around him and his own personal dating and sexual failures or mishaps. Then there will be a handful of readers who's for-head's will furrow in concentration, as they will be actually learning what it's like to play the game BY not playing any games.

Mr. Outland makes no attempt to hide that fact that this is the gay man's answer to the book for women "The Rules, Time Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr Right". Our author clearly states that these tactics might work for women, but they have no place in the competitive dating arena of men. I couldn't agree with him more.

Dating for the sake of dating. Sex for the sex of sex. Conversation for the sake of conversation. No strings. No tricks. No manipulations. (I promise, it's not complicated.)

I could see how this book would rub some people wrong. It's blunt. It's callous. It paints an ugly picture of gay dating...But what's important to me is that it is HONEST. Our culture and society has it's flaws. We cannot fault Mr. Outland for being honest about them.

Since it was written in 1998, most of the book is still rather relevant. A few bits here and there have already been deemed null and void by the advancement of time and technology. For instance, I've never had anyone online ask me, "Could you send me ur .GIF?" Right, let me get right on that.

Humerous, interesting, and educational, this book is perfect for the guy that needs to get a clue, or the guy that already has one. Either way, it's a solid digest on what dating life was like in the late `90's and what it IS like in the present time period.

I once read a different book on the same subject, and it gave suggestions and advice based on the way things could be or should be. As a result, the advice and suggestions were mostly useless. By contrast, the basis of this book is the way things really are. This cold, hard reality might be too harsh for some, but the book won't steer you wrong. If you follow all the suggestions, even if you don't get a boyfriend, you'll be a better person.