Gay Men and Anal Eroticism: Tops, Bottoms, and Versatiles (Hardcover)

by Steven G. Underwood (Author) "I met Aaron at Boston's South Station, a few minutes past five, shortly after he got off work..." (more)
Key Phrases: male fucking, bareback sex, versatile top, Cole Tucker, Boston University, Long Island (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Gay Men and Anal Eroticism: Tops, Bottoms, and Versatiles is a remarkably candid collection of frank and forthright interviews with 21 gay men on one of society's most persistent taboos. Ranging in age from 21 to 65, the men talk about the role anal sex plays in their lives and relationships and their choices to act as insertive (“top”) or receptive (“bottom”) partners—or both (“versatile”). They discuss the reasons behind (and consequences of) their choices; how they define their sexual roles (and how those roles are defined by gay society); issues of power, trust, and vulnerability; and the concept (in both straight and gay society) that tops and bottoms are socially and morally unequal.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 238 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (March 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560233745
• ISBN-13: 978-1560233749
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,172,643 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Choice is Up to You", March 31, 2003

By	Joseph J. Hanssen "Joe" (Upstate New York) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Gay Men and Anal Eroticism: Tops, Bottoms, and Versatiles (Paperback)

Revealing! Honest! & Sexually Taboo! All of these twenty-one refreshingly candid interviews with gay men are about their sexual preferences and the reasons behind their choices. This is not a study about right or wrong when it comes to anal eroticism, but a study of what it means for gay men to be a Top, Bottom, or Versatile. The author interviews gay men in Boston and Provincetown. Each interview is like a coming out story, totally refreshing and honest. The information presented in the interviews is there for your individual interpretation, or merely for your reading enjoyment. That such a taboo subject is finally laid out in print in such an informal and intelligent manner is quite an achievement by Underwood and long overdue.

These interviews read more like short stories than gay study interviews as you get a history of each gay man's sexual experiences, and their opinions about anal eroticism. It is to the credit of the author that he does not get in the way by asking questions, but lets each man speak for himself and reveal his own personal history and beliefs. These are heart-felt confessions that will get you thinking, questioning and reviewing your own life. These are real people who talk honestly about their sexual lives, desires and obsessions.

This is a great book for any gay male who is just coming-out. It should be included in any gay curriculum or gay study group. It is an excellent overview of how all of these different gay men have dealt with coming out, their first sexual experiences, the reason for their sexual preferences, and how it has affected their lives. I wish this honest and helpful book had been available when I was first coming out. These are thoughtful, courageous, humorous, and touching interviews. Steven Underwood's excellent introduction says it all, and especially his statement, "that equality in man-to-man sex is as varied as the number of individuals who strive for it." That says it all. Highly Recommended!!!

Joe Hanssen

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting.., September 3, 2003

By	Maui (Portland, OR, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gay Men and Anal Eroticism: Tops, Bottoms, and Versatiles (Paperback)

This was a very good read. When I bought it, I must say I thought it was something different. But I kept reading, and learned alot about myself in the process. It reads more like a philosphy kinda style as to why gay men are tops, bottoms, or both. I'm impressed.

19 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars missed opportunity, August 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Gay Men and Anal Eroticism: Tops, Bottoms, and Versatiles (Paperback)

this book had the chance to privide some interesting insights into the subject, covering ground that has been largely untread. instead, what we get is a litany of sexual histories for 20 or so men that the author has scrounged up from 2 east coast locales, with precious little insight as to their roles as tops or bottoms. curiously, several interviewees seem to be under the impression that they have responded to a sex ad and that their sex talk will be a prelude to an erotic encounter with the author. which would be fine if anyone had anything interesting to say beforehand.

the book's ending is as abrupt as it is welcome. there is no attempt to summarize and digest anything we've been told. in contrast to another reviewers comments, this is about the last book i would recommend to someone just coming out. i had hoped for an interesting but sleazy summer read. well, all i can say is that it wasn't too interesting.