Protocol Handbook for the Leather Slave: Theory and Practice [Paperback]

Robert J Rubel PhD (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 19, 2007

While recognizing that every Master creates individualized protocols for a slave, this book is an example of a real protocol manual in a real-life situation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Drawing heavily on his own Ms life, Rubel offers us more than mere protocols in this book. First he describes general differences between two large parts of the SM community -- Leather and BDSM (think het or poly) -- and how these groups may differ on public issues.

As a companion book to "Master/slave Relations: A Handbook of Theory and Practice," Dr. Robert Rubel has a tougher time negotiating the world of submissives. As in his "Master/slave Relations" book, "Protocol Handbook for the Leather Slave: Theory and Practice," covers the basics thoroughly.

Protocol Handbook for the Leather Slave: Theory and Practice is exactly what it says it is. Although there is no one "right" way to practice consensual slavery, this book gets novices off to a successful start and provides additional sections, such as the slave as Personal Assistant.

About the Author

Robert Rubel has been involved in the BDSM scene for a number of years, throwing himself into the literature of the field as though it were an academic study. He frequently attends BDSM weekend conferences.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Nazca Plains Corp (February 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887895159
• ISBN-13: 978-1887895156
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #357,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert (Bob) Rubel is an educational sociologist by traininig (which is why you find some of his old books on here dealing with crime prevention in public schools). He has been heavily involved in the world of alternative sexuality since 2001, throwing himself into the literature of the field as though it were an academic study. He frequently attends weekend conferences in this field, where he is a presenter (generally on topics related to Master/slave relations, Leather protocols, fire play, and how to pleasure a woman).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More theory than practice, December 28, 2006

By 

Tim Brough "author and music buff" (Springfield, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Protocol Handbook for the Leather Slave: Theory and Practice (Paperback)

As a companion book to "Master/slave Relations: A Handbook of Theory and Practice," Dr. Robert Rubel has a tougher time negotiating the world of submissives. As in his "Master/slave Relations" book, "Protocol Handbook for the Leather Slave: Theory and Practice," covers the basics thoroughly. In his astute introduction, Dr. Rubel makes the distinction between Leather and Not-Leather when it comes to BDSM and the D/s lifestyle, which is a truly useful reminder of what separates lifestylers from weekend warriors. The first couple of chapters go a long way toward establishing plenty of essential dos and don'ts. Frankly, most of them are just teaching your slave (or perhaps yourself) decent manners. Like in the "Master/slave Relations: Handbook," "Protocol Handbook for the Leather Slave" maintains that protocols are the key to a successful D/s relationship.

However, protocols only work if they make sense. As the book progresses, "Protocol Handbook For The Leather Slave" veers dangerously close to absurdity. For example, in Chapter Six there is a passage that reads, "In certain instances, the slave will serve as Master's chauffeur. This will include proper dress as a chauffeur, including cap and blazer." Now, if you happen to be a Master who has no concept or idea of your slave pulling the '88 Ford F-150 around to the driveway for pick-up services (or for that matter, wouldn't be caught dead with a slave in a chauffeur's get-up), then what passes for protocol here comes off as over-theatrical and perhaps even silly. Same goes for the intricately detailed dinner plans, which are a bit over the top. If I wanted to go to finishing school, I would have enrolled or my Master would have enrolled me. While High Society may be enticing behavior for some leatherfolk, not all leatherfolk engage in High Society. Some of us don't even own a tux.

Dr. Rubel does offer himself an out early in "Protocol Handbook for the Leather Slave" when he declares the origins of the book to be "my own personal manual of protocol for my own slave," and a page or so later offering "the level of detail I present may be a bit extreme in your situation." Where Dr. Rubel's "Master/slave Relations: A Handbook of Theory and Practice" is primarily a book for Dominants and stays concise to its topic, "Protocol Handbook For The Leather Slave" reads like it might be a guidebook for slaves, but comes off as Master Fantasy material - and a stuffy fantasy at that. I will restate that the first half of "Protocol Handbook for the Leather Slave" is extremely well done, there is plenty here to absorb and a great deal of very useful material (such as caring for Master's leathers and boots or levels to negotiating a Master/slave contract). However, if you're looking for the better of his two D/s guidebooks, start with Dr. Rubel's "Master/slave Relations," then come back to "Leather Slave."

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a book about the Leather subculture, December 5, 2006

By 

Bill Cunningham (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Protocol Handbook for the Leather Slave: Theory and Practice (Paperback)

This book appears to be a revised version of Rubel's book on protocols for the female slave. This version is gender-neutral and is a smoother read. Since I liked the first book so well, I've gone through this one, too. I prefer this one, actually.

This unusual book describes a male or female slave's expected behavior within a consensual Leather Master/slave relationship. I've never seen this described before. I've read novels about it (such as the Marketplace series) but not a non-fiction book.

To my knowledge, there is no other book out there like this one. After a healthy orientation to the world of Leather, the book divides into two main parts: how the slave is to behave in public Leather events and how the slave is to prepare the evening for a formal High Leather Protocol dinner.

I found this book interesting because often, particularly in new Master/slave relations, the slave is unsure what to do to serve the Master and the Master is unsure how he wants to be served. This book seems designed to help in those situations.

The author certainly has a firm point of view. This book has documented the formal structure of a Leather relationship as he has found it to be. I also sense that the author is a little eccentric. Well, his described relationship is certainly an unusual one. You will do well to think of this book as a Leather Etiquette book. If you're not familiar with the Leather culture, this will surely be an eye-opener.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Questions and Tone of Ms Relationships, December 12, 2006

By 

TammyJo Eckhart "TammyJo Eckhart" (Bloomington, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Protocol Handbook for the Leather Slave: Theory and Practice (Paperback)

Drawing heavily on his own Ms life, Rubel offers us more than mere protocols in this book. First he describes general differences between two large parts of the SM community -- Leather and BDSM (think het or poly) -- and how these groups may differ on public issues. Secondly he offers us honest and realitistic questions that we should ask if we think we want to do Ms on more than a casual or fun basis. It is not for everyone and very few people can have successful, long-term Ms relationships. Do not buy this book with the idea that you can just start applying his own rules, rituals, and concepts to your own life (you are likely to fail) but as a way to get you and anyone you may partner with thinking about very important questions.