Talk Dirty to Me: An Intimate Philosophy of Sex [Paperback]

Sallie Tisdale (Author), Jennifer Ann Daddio (Designer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1995

We live in a world in which almost every public image--every interaction--carries an element of sexual desire.  And yet it is nearly impossible for us to talk openly and honestly about sex.  Talk Dirty to Me is author Sallie Tisdale's frank, funny, and provocative invitation to the conversation we've been waiting for--but have been too afraid to start.

Sallie Tisdale shuns the dry style of academics and takes us on a journey through gender and desire, romance and pornography, prostitution and morality, fantasies and orgasm.  She guides us through her field research of peep shows, XXX stores, and even the pornography collection of the British Library. Interweaving her own personal feelings, experiences, and revelations, she presents a brilliant, fascinating, and wholly original portrait of sex and sexuality in America, while encouraging us to explore and create our own "intimate philosophies."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Tisdale's provocative look at sexuality relates personal experiences alongside meditations on subjects such as pornography and prostitution.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Tisdale (The Long Search for Home in the Pacific Northwest, LJ 3/1/93) has written a beautiful book that presents a very personal philosophy and experience with sex. She divides the book into four phases-desire, arousal, climax, and resolution. The author's journey toward sexual awakening and freedom begins by posing the question, "Why are we so unhappy about our own sexual acts and the acts of others?" Poetically exploring issues such as sexual orientation, pornography, feminist politics, and prostitution, Tisdale moves eloquently from Plato's Symposium and Japanese Ukiyo-e art to Annie Sprinkle and Masters and Johnson. She concludes by conceding that most ethical systems are imperfect and that "the translating of belief into behavior is the most radical sexual behavior of all." This is a book for any reader who has pondered "What is all the fuss about?" and could well serve as a complement to Diane Ackerman's A Natural History of Love (LJ 5/15/94). Recommended for academic and public libraries.
Dana L. Brumbelow, Auburn P.L., Alabama
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (October 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385468555
• ISBN-13: 978-0385468558
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #712,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More philosophical than sexual, December 5, 1999

By 

B.A. (North Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talk Dirty to Me: An Intimate Philosophy of Sex (Paperback)

Tisdale's book is like a long essay by a compassionate, learned friend. She poses more questions than answers, giving us her opinions and insights without forcing conclusions. Tisdale allows us to reach our own conclusions about sexuality, but opens many doors on the journey. It's a small but powerful and thought-provoking book.

I read this a few years ago when I first began to do male nude photography as a photo student. I needed to come to grips with my own and other's resistance to the male nude form. I found the insights in "Talk Dirty" to be especially relevant and valuable.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Don't let the title deceive you, April 9, 2006

By 

M. Roll - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Talk Dirty to Me: An Intimate Philosophy of Sex (Paperback)

This book should be categorized with sexual identity and sexual politics not sexual intimacy or "how to excite and trill your partner". I think the fact that it is paired with "The Fine Art of Erotic Talk" is really quite ridicules these two books are on opposite sides of the spectrum--and yes I bought them both.

Tisdale does make some good observations, but her points are not well organized one chapter bleeds into another with out clear definition or resolve.

I agree with many of the positions taken by Tisdale; however few were ground breaking or original. This may be a good general introduction to sexual politics, but it left this reader wanting more.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from pansies and posey to the down and dirty, July 31, 1998

By 

Suzanne Aguilar ([e-mail]) (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talk Dirty to Me: An Intimate Philosophy of Sex (Paperback)

Forget those awful high school sex ed filmstrips - Talk needs to be on the reading list. Tisdale broaches delicate subjects with wit and empathy, leaving no room for ignorance. How many of us have stumbled through our inner sexual landscape without Tisdale's various validations of our highly individual "naughty-mustn't-touch" urges? How many of us are tormented by nights restless wishes, assuming no hope of release from our dark dreams?. I wish Mom could have handed me both The Joy of Sex and Talk Dirty to Me when we had our talk.