Customer Reviews

SlaveCraft: Roadmaps for Erotic Servitude--Principles, Skills and Tools

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you're looking for a how-to book, this ain't it! However, if you're looking for a book to contribute to and strengthen your own foundation for slaving, you'll be turning the right pages here. I found this book to be very helpful, surprisingly from both the Master and slave perspectives. (I'm a switch, have a slave (of two years) and am now looking to practice deep submission with a particular Sir.) This book gives a good foundation for BEING slave, rather than DOING slave, and it is my belief that effective and natural DOING must be preceeded by strong and confident BEING. It's refreshing to find a book that comes from this approach, even though there are enough tips and practical "how-to" in this read. It was also nice to read a book about slaving written by a slave, who understands the nuances and character of a slave mindset! (This, rather than being written by Masters or scholars who approach slaving from an outsider's perspective, which all too often seems to be the case.) SlaveCraft does not have all the answers (and, really, what book possibly could), and Baldwin acknowledges that its contents is a narrative drawn from personal experience and practices -- not universal -- with hopes that these will be helpful to others. Pat Califia's postlude gives a nice balance to the book as well, though I prefer the author's writing style easier to absorb on a gut level than Mr. Califa's more cerebral syntax (meaning no disrespect). On the whole, this book gives the reader -- both Master and slave alike -- plenty to consider and digest.

This book not only gives great insight with useful tools, it offers the reader the chance to re-think how they are approaching this lifestyle and whether they are approaching it with a 'true' heart ...

Mentorship is useful, but seriously there are a lot of bottoms, submissives and slaves that not only do not have the resourses to find a mentor, but they are too shy to go out and find one.

I would have given this book WAY more then 5 stars but that was the highest possible score.

Several people suggested I read this book because they found it the best book about being a submissive, especially a service oriented one. While reading this book was interesting, I found almost nothing in it that would help me in my relationship with my mistress.

The goals and ideas Baldwin sets down are not ones that resonate with me. I read the whole book and felt frustrated that I wasn't getting what I wanted out of it. I didn't feel like I understood service submission any better than when I started the book.

Personally, I would suggest the two Miss Abernathy books. Epecially the work book which is full of exercises to do. I don't agree with everything she says, but I agree with most of it and I have found it extremely helpful.

This book, just like Guy Baldwin himself, is likely to stir up strong emotions for years to come. By focusing on the personal and individual journey of someone who imagines himself as a slave, this book challenges several of the assumptions current in the gay SM subculture. While the chapters are thought provoking and the "exercises" possibly useful, the emotions of the writer (whoever that is since the "slave" is unnamed) are what really stick out. Patrick Califia's response from the dominant side of things is a wonderful addition. This book cannot and should not be the one and only you use if you are undertaking the slave role but it can be a useful addition to your education.

Guy Baldwin has put together an interesting book that tells a tale of devotion and service that will intrigue and excite you. What is lacking is a sense of honesty since Guy has gone to great lengths to hide the fact that he is the "grateful slave", and this calls into question the integrity of the account and takes away from what would otherwise be a wonderful love story. How can the devotion be believable if the "grateful slave" is ashamed to claim what his heart is saying?

The 10 principles obviously come from experience with the D/s dynamic and give very good insights. Guy is obviously speaking from the heart. Previously serialized in International Leatherman, the only new material is the forward and afterward by Patrick Califia, who brings us the reminder that to be a slave one must have a Master that inspires such devotion. The all too brief Mastercraft: A Dialogue With Guy Baldwin's SlaveCraft give us a nice discussion of the D/s dynamic as a whole, and this is worth the price of the book all by itself.

If you are interested in the Master/slave dynamic SlaveCraft will certainly interest you, if not inspire you to consider the honesty of your own desires.

Powerful book, potentially dangerous in the wrong hands.

This book has a lot of emotional weight in my life. When my ex-partner became a slave his new Master asked me to read this book. I asked him to read The Ethical Slut: A Guide to Infinite Sexual Possibilities. I found "SlaveCraft" very powerful, but far from perfect. I was also concerned that my partner's Master was using it as a guidebook for their relationship, because it didn't seem to leave much emotional space for a separate relationship. As in, his partnership with me.

Long story short, I read "Slavecraft", he didn't read "The Ethical Slut", and that pattern of behavior continued until my partner and I broke up.

During this very difficult time I had the opportunity to become friends with one of the author's previous Masters, which filled in a lot of the gaps and gave me a whole new perspective on the book.

Today I am with a new partner, and I myself wear a collar proudly. I like to think I serve with integrity and honor, despite my experiences.

I came across the book again as I was unpacking boxes. It taught me a lot about who I am, and what I should expect from others, but it's now something of an un/holy relic. I didn't know whether to kiss it or burn it, so I put it away in a safe place.

This is NOT a roadmap. Treating is as such is, in my opinion, a huge mistake. Rather it's a glimpse into the author's mind at various parts of his life of service. When taken as such, it's a very valuable and powerful book.

i bought this book a couple of years ago, whilst on my on path/quest (call it what you will) for truth in what i was looking for. there is a lot confusion within our community about what does exist, what doesn't exist, what is real and not real, what is fact, what is fiction. for those searching for a deeper meaning to their life and a reason for the existence of the feelings they have, this book helps to clear the skies of such confusing (and often heated) discourse and help plot a course forwards.

the book is clearly written, and is a real gem. if i ever had the opportunity to contact or speak to the anonymous author ('a greatful slave') i would have much to thank him for. this book has helped me immeasurably since its purchase and paid for itself many times over. to say it's worth its weight in gold would be an understatment and then some. there were a number of times whilst reading this book, that it made me cry. why? because after searching for so long for someone in this big wide world of ours who understood me, who knew what i needed, and was looking for in my life to feel complete, to simply be able to read the words of someone else who was living that life, that comprehended the depth and power of the things it felt was an incredible feeling. it no longer felt alone or 'outside the box'.

this book saved me from just giving up and falling into line with what society expects is 'the norm', and helped me keep the faith when i had little left of my own to steer me.

as of april 2010, i now have found the very thing that was missing from my life, and have never felt happier or more content in my life - much of this is down to the many lessons this book taught me to be mindful of. the real mind-bender is comprehending that this is simply the beginning of my own journey now!

from one grateful slave to another, i truly thank you for the part you played - wherever you are out there.

respectfully,
fang

ps: Mr Baldwin, if you ever read this, please get in touch - i would dearly love to try and pass on my sincere thanks for all this book did for me in helping me grow and find my true sense of self.

Being a Mistress I take pride in learning as much as I can about being a slave so that I can understand what is going on inside my slaves head. This book takes me well along that path of understanding. A very good read for slaves and Masters alike.

If you are interested in the power exchange lifestyle this is a must have book. Not only have I read the book but I have actually met and spoken with Guy Baldwin. When I got involved in a power exchange relationship this was required reading. Not only did it outline the basis of the relationship it was quite helpful in daily life outside the relationship. If this is a lifestyle you are interested in this book will give you some insight into the lifestyle and things to think about (about yourself) before you decide to take the next step. I highlighted and read several parts of this book many times.

This book explained to me the psychological aspect behind being a total slave. I wanted to read the book to better understand who I am as a human being, as I believe that everyone must submit(be a slave) to some ideal(Master, God). To experience total bliss(rapture, heaven, etc.) one must understand the principles so eloquently detailed in this book. Even Masters must give themselves totally over if they want to become perfect in their craft. Obedience is what ushers us into the presence of God and is the only acceptable way to live our life. Yes there will be times when we will question our God when he publicly humiliates us, or asks us to do difficult things we do not fully understand, but we must trust that it is not our burden to worry about the details, we care only to please our Master. In the form of BDSM which I choose and which I believe Jesus also chose, sometimes our Master pushes us past our limits which may come with total persecution in the form of beating and flogging(apostles, disciples) or even death(crucifixion), but it is all for HIS glory and honor so it is our pleasure to endure these seemingly difficult tasks which the world(vanillas) will never understand. 8) Slavery requires bravery lol, -Slave of God