Customer Reviews

Working: My Life as a Prostitute

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Delores French did an excellent job protraying the profession of "working" as it is without getting into trying to talk the reader out of it. Like it or not, prostitution is a profession. Anyone who reads her very informative publication will learn this message. In her pages, Delores goes into her "pilgrimage" from working into the traditional world into the various worlds that comprise sex businesses. She describes her work throughout the world and seeks to decriminalize the field. For those who want to learn about this field and has been seeking a "career" guide, I recommend you read these pages. For those trying to talk people out of working in this field, I hope you read Delores account, as she does a good job protraying the field in it's objective light.

This smart, witty, and courageous autobiography shatters the stereotypes that most people have of prostitutes. Contrary to popular opinion, the majority of American prostitutes are not abused, exploited, drug-addicted, pimp-controlled street whores with low self-esteem who have turned to sex work in desperation after a lifetime of poverty and violence. Nor is it true that prostitutes are significant transmitters of STDs or responsible for the spread of Aids. Dolores French is refreshingly candid, passionate, possesses a deep sense of justice, and genuinely enjoys what she does for a living (and how many people can honestly say that about their jobs?). While acknowledging that prostitution--like any other profession--isn't for everyone, she argues convincingly that women should be free to choose prostitution as a career without having to fear stigmatization, discrimination, police harassment, arrest, and incarceration for doing something that would be perfectly le! gal if they didn't have the audacity to charge for it. Like other sex workers' rights activists, she favors decriminalization rather than legalization.

"Working" is a perfect blend of engrossing autobiographical storytelling (Dolores has worked as an escort, in brothels, out of apartments, and on the street; she has worked in the U.S., the Carribbean, and in Europe--and she has plenty of fascinating tales to tell) and facts & stats about prostitution. This book is essential reading for anyone who's ever wanted to know what it's really like to work as a prostitute, and it should be required for individuals who are making and debating laws and policies pertaining to prostitution.

I fully agree with the author. I know best about prostitution as my mother was prostitute from age 15 to 61, my sister,wife,2 daughters are also in same business.We all are very happy & proud of this business.We have never cheated any customer. We donate for charity too.I hope that our future generation will continue this business with same honesty & dedication.We never refused aged or bad looking clients.

Amongs the best real-life accounts of the prostitution business I have read next to the excellent Sydney Biddle Barrows, 'Mayflower Madam'.

Delores French is an 'ordinary woman' with a zest for life, who chooses an extraordinary lifestyle.

Delores happens to be a woman who enjoys her job: entertaining men in numerous ways..from the conversational to the carnal.

She is independent, gutsy, quick-witted and terribly sensible.
Ms French also has a killer sense of humour.

She has been a professional prostitute in the USA and several other countries.

Because she is a bit of a bright-spark she takes the opportunity to explore all levels of the job...from high class courtesan to street walker.

When she susses out the workings of a scene she moves on to pastures green and adapts to her new surroundings.

Rivetting, amazing, shocking ...but highly educational too.
I learnt a hell of a lot from Dolores- THANK YOU BIG-TIME GIRL!

If you are not a prostitute you need to read it to get an insight into what men 'really' want; if you are a prostitute read it to discover how to be a better one.

I know very little (nothing) about the sex for hire business, but this book is a delightful read and scores at least 5 stars on my scale. I enjoyed every page, and am willing to believe that she didn't have to embellish to write this story. Would love to meet this lady.

If you are or ever wanted to be a sex worker, you have to read this book! It's entertaining and informative. It'll make you want to go out and live your life any way you want, with absolutely no regrets.

I read this book a few years ago, and still have it displayed proudly on my bookshelf. I have never worked in the sex industry, but this book provided some valuable insights. This book should be required reading for all the busybodies who say that all prostitues are wreched, abused women. This woman made a career for herself, took precautions (how safe are any of us, really?) and lived a life with few regrets. I wish I were as happy with my career as she is with hers.

A must read for any woman who has been subtley or blatantly taught that she is the property of first her parents and later her husband. The most powerful and the scariest thing for a patriarchal culture is a woman who is in charge of her own life. Dolores French made a practical decision and uses her body to earn a living -- not scrubbing floors, not selling real estate, not doctoring sick people, not playing tennis, but providing sexual services. A funny, eye-opening, delightful read. No wonder it was banned from the Hall County, Georgia library. This woman is honest and bold and makes more sense than is good for keeping women in a subservient role. Dolores French is a feminist who has by-passed victimization and has gone straight to thriving in the world as it is. The suffragettes got women the vote, prostitutes bear the standard for autonomy. When whores are as free to conduct their business as football players are, we women will have reclaimed our rightful position as equals and patriarchy will shrivel up and waste away.

I was looking for a book that I couldn't put down, and this was it! My sister recommended it to me, because she and I like reading books about people with lives vastly different from ours. It was a true winner: interesting, insightful, intelligent, and exciting. Dolores French is a true expert on prostitution, and the things she writes about both shock and delight the reader. I would recommend it to anyone open-minded enough to enjoy it!

I was amazed to find such an eye opening book. It changed my perception of prostitutes and prostitution radically. I'm definately a Dolores French fan.