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Whore Stories: A Revealing History of the World's Oldest Profession Paperback – July 18, 2012

by Tyler Stoddard Smith (Author)

33 customer reviews

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A Working History of Working Girls (and Guys)

Have you ever wondered how Heidi Fleiss came to be the face of upscale prostitution or if Casanova really was the world's greatest lover? How about why Latin playboy Rubi Rubirosa got the nickname "The Ding Dong Daddy"?

Anything but judgmental, Whore Stories sheds light on one of our more stigmatized icons: The Prostitute. Featuring the true stories of famous streetwalkers, call girls, rent boys, and go-go dancers, this book offers a revealing look at the men and women who have blazed the bawdy trail of prostitution since the dawn of time. While you may think that you know everything about this occupation, Whore Stories includes plenty of details and even celebrities, such as Maya Angelou and Bob Dylan, that will leave you in awe.

From private schools and child preachers to mime fantasies and unfortunate amputations, this book uncovers the truth behind the world's oldest profession.

Whore Stories: A Revealing History of the World's Oldest Profession

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Product Details

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Adams Media; First Edition edition (July 18, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1440536058
ISBN-13: 978-1440536052
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 5.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #170 in Books > History > Historical Study & Educational Resources > Reference
- #171 in Books > Reference > Encyclopedias & Subject Guides > History
- #2381 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Sociology

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Customer Reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars

5 star		46%
4 star		21%
3 star		12%
2 star		6%
1 star		15%

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

A wonderful book, full of surprises, clever observations and lots of laughs

By A. Burlingame on June 11, 2012

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

I'm a big fan of intelligent humor of all sorts, from Woody Allen, Jack Handy (he's deeper than you think!), Steve Martin, John Cleese (et al.), Nora Ephron and Andy Borowitz to Barbara Eisenreich, John Kennedy Toole, Mark Twain and Kurt Vonnegut. You could also throw into the mix the likes of John Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey and the dynamic duo of Trey Parker and Matt Stone. If you have a similar sense of humor, or anything close, you ought to check out Whore Stories. Although Tyler Smith's fascinating and sometimes truly astonishing tales of streetwalkers, call girls, madams, pimps and rent boys are fundamentally true (a few, as he recognizes, fall into the category of cultural myths), Smith has managed to make these stories not only interesting but also funny--often hilarious, in fact. Here is an excerpt from his Introduction (which is also funny, although not this particular paragraph):

Some of these people have become legends for turning tricks, like Xaviera "The Happy Hooker" Hollander, La Belle Otero, and the self-proclaimed "Rosa Parks" of male prostitution, Markus Bestin. Others have traded sex for money at some point in their lives, and then became famous for other reasons, like Al Pacino, Malcolm X, Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, and Valerie Solanas (she shot Andy Warhol). Still others have turned into man-eating spiders, like the Japanese whore-deity Jorogumo. And finally there are people who have no real claim to Fame: they are just intriguing individuals who happen to have been hookers.

As this excerpt suggests, Smith's subjects range broadly, from political figures and movie stars (including porn actors and actresses, of course) to killers (including serial ones), and, well, yes, spiders.Read more ›

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

Big Pimpin'

By redamber on June 14, 2012

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

Tyler Stoddard Smith has fully aroused my interest in becoming a whore-atarian. In this profound, concise and witty book, you can learn about all types of strumpets, trollops, hussies, and harlots from all over the world..from the past to the present... without tedium. It's like a hilarious cliff notes to the Encyclopedia of Escorts...if there was one.

I laughed. (fellatio for money is oh so funny)
I cried. (maybe out of comparison)
I pondered. (am I too old to change professions?)
I will read it and reference it again.

Educate and entertain yourselves, people...this is a must-have!

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

More Than Meets the Eye

By WallerCreekReader on June 15, 2012

Format: Paperback

I got my hands on a review copy of this book and was pleasantly surprised. It's interesting. It's funny. It's sad. And the narrator walks the fine line of seeing humor in our human foibles while also respecting and empathizing with the men and women who often don't end up in this profession by choice.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

This will be the gift I leave to thank my friend-hosts during my summer vacation.

By BitterSweet on April 21, 2013

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

Kind of wondering if this might also be displayed in the humor department. While historically correct, this is an immensely entertaining read. Such great fun it begs to be shared.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

Funny and Informative

By David Brice on August 5, 2012

Format: Paperback

This book is a great read, funny and informative at the same time. From the recent (Andrew Cunanan and Heidi Fleiss) to the biblical (Rahab and Mary Magdalene) to the famous (Cary Grant and Dee Dee Ramone), Smith takes readers on a rollicking tour of people and places you always wondered about, but maybe thought you shouldn't ask about. You'll learn and laugh while adding new phrases to your vocabulary (Christ on a bike!). Highly recommended.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

WHORE STORIES

By Mrs. Sophie S. Bastas on November 26, 2012

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

I found this book thoroughly entertaining and also informative as to how many of the personalities depicted in the book that are well known today that had such interesting beginnings. It is not a book for everybody, but let's face it if the title does not grab you, you would not be buying it anyway.
The subject matter has intrigued me as the profession dates back to almost the beginning of "civilisation" to the present, and flourishing.
This profession has its merits, as quite possibly without the Working Girl, more women would be sexually assaulted, and we certainly don't want any more, as statistics have shown that lately is on the rise, in all the countries worldwide.
I guess I cannot say too much of this book but it is a good book, if one has a few minutes to fill in, as the stories are of a short nature and one can pick up and put down at any time.....and it is quite funny in the way the author depicts some of his short stories.
SOPHIA BASTAS

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Easy read

By Judy on December 11, 2013

Format: Paperback

I found the book interesting. The irony of Malcolm X serving as a paid sexual boy toy at the YMCA when Muslims do not accept homosexuality, former First Lady Nancy Reagan playing the role of the pass around party girl and Maya Angelou conducting business in parking lot back seats just goes to prove you can never hide from your past. A lot of surprises. Some of the editorializing was a bit annoying, but the book is still worth reading .

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

Great addition to my collection

By Dee Servance on October 2, 2013

Format: Paperback Verified Purchase

Warning: This isn't for anyone who can't handle explicit content and rough language. That being said this is a great book. Sharp, witty, snarky, insightful. A great collection of stories on the ladies and gentlemen involved in the world's oldest profession, prostitution.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

The stories are fun to read

The stories are fun to read ,but not wild about the authors choice of wording. The book would have been better with not so much salty language

Published 11 days ago by rotator

Doesn't deliver, on any level. Not informative or funny, just a...

I'm highly disappointed with this book, many high school students could do a better job if given time and resources. Read more

Published 2 months ago by mr. big

Amazing Book!

Amazing book, highlighting many ancient and modern celebrities', shadow lives, while engaged in "sex for compensation" activity! Read more

Published 2 months ago by john

Author has a great sarcastic wit and style of writing

Thought there would be more Hollywood stories and less ancient history. Author has a great sarcastic wit and style of writing.

Published 4 months ago by Keith J. Bettinger

No compassion here

I can hardly believe that such an interesting topic is such a tedious read. I hoped for a more in depth look at the lives of women and men who have sold their bodies for a living. Read more

Published 4 months ago by avidreader

It's a hoot, but not for everyone.

Brings out a lot of funny stories about people I would never want to meet. Covers characters from ancient times to the present. It is a walk on the low side of life. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Edward J. Vagnoni

Two Stars

Just a list

Published 6 months ago by peter humphries

The World's Oldest Proffession

The author takes a poke at historical and current "soiled doves". He gives their backgrounds, their clientele, and then adds a personal note at the end of each story. Read more

Published 8 months ago by Jimbo210

Five Stars

Impressive!

Published 9 months ago by Stephen Ricks

enjoyed.

Strangely interesting, enjoyed.

Published 10 months ago by Marlene Morris

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