Learning the Ropes: A Basic Guide to Safe and Fun S/m Lovemaking (Paperback)

by Race Bannon (Author) "S/M has long been a much misunderstood style of erotic play..." (more)
Key Phrases: reality threshold, safe sex guidelines, submissive partner, Miss Jackson, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The introduction to Learning the Ropes begins, "S/M has long been a much misunderstood style of erotic play." Race Bannon provides some much-appreciated accurate information in this honest and straightforward basic guide to S/M. He explodes prevalent myths about S/M and replaces them with a playground of erotic fantasy and an emphasis on consensuality. The fantasy visualization exercises and the examples of scenes and negotiation provide rich fodder for crafting new experiences, and regardless of your gender, orientation, or skill level, you'll find that the advice sprinkled throughout the book is useful. Possibly the most important trait of this book, though, is that it's delightfully devoid of the "This is the One True Way" trap evident in too many sexuality manuals.

Learning the Ropes provides delightful examples of questions and issues that commonly come up during negotiation, useful for both the novice just learning to say yes, and the more experienced hand who has met a new partner. The chapter on "S/M Technique" includes good basic safety and sensation information. The real gem, however, is next chapter, "The Playground of the Mind." Here, Bannon shows how the mind--using fantasy, suggestion, voice, and roles--can play an important part in S/M. He also includes sections on S/M gear and how to create an inexpensive toy collection, safety, finding partners, a recommended reading list, and a glossary. --Cheryl Trooskin

Product Description
This brief volume explains how partners can explore their dominant and submissive S/M fantasies in a safe and fun manner. Negative myths are dispelled and replaced with the truth about the kind of S/M erotic play that so many adults enjoy. You'll learn what S/M is, how to do it safely, and much, much more.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: Daedalus Publishing Company (January 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1881943070
• ISBN-13: 978-1881943075
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #755,070 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Brief Introduction, December 15, 2000

By	"tkdguy99" (El Cerrito, CA) - See all my reviews

"How To Do SM" books seem to come in three sizes, small booklets, mid-sized books and large textbooks.

"Learning The Ropes" is an excellent small booklet on SM. You can read the whole thing in about an hour and it will get you on the right track. The author is a very experienced leatherman who is well known in his community and knows what he is talking about. There are also a number of examples of SM play that are good to read and they involved various genders and roles.

All in all, this book puts an accurate and human face on SM. I highly recommend it.

Other small booklets on SM include "The Sexually Dominant Woman" and "Consensual Sadomasochism". Good mid-sized books are "The Loving Dominant" and "The Master's Manual". For textbook-sized books, read "Screw The Roses Send Me The Thorns" and "SM 101".

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very, very good for novices and the expereinced, October 8, 1997

By A Customer

the writing style is a bit stilted and strained at times, but the content is worth the worse than average writing style. Both the novice and the experienced will benefit from this book - it has a little bit for everyone. Especially enjoyed the "couples" aspect of it.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It needs to be reprinted!, November 19, 2001

By	TammyJo Eckhart "TammyJo Eckhart" (Bloomington, Indiana United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This is one of those introductory books that I highly recommend to people who think they may be interested in BDSM -- the other is "Sensuous Magic" by Pat Califia which I see is being reprinted this year. Race Bannon, you have to wonder if he chose this as a penname or if its his real name, has done a great job on be concise and yet clear in describing a type of sexuality and initmacy that some people enjoy. It also does a good job of being realistic, not making SM too romantic or simple so that everyone wants to run out and try it because frankly BDSM is not for everyone and should not be attempted by everyone. Publishers out there, I think it is time to reprint this book and make it more widely available. In an age of increasing media attention on the kinky, it would be a great way to make people's sex lives and relationships a bit safer and a bit more rewarding.