Reviews (6)

Bite size autobiographies of adult industry professionals
Carly has done a good job of collecting stories from people inside the adult industry. As a member of the industry, I'm aware of the back story on some of the people listed here. What I can tell you is that the stories are certainly accurate from their perspective.
Really doesn't live up to its title....
I'm glad that this collection managed to open the minds of some other readers/reviews and make them less judgemental, but for anyone who already has an open mind about sex work, this book is really a bust. There is very little content here that attests to women actually CHANGING the industry, rather than just taking on jobs behind the camera instead of in front and then executing the same movies that men in their positions have before. Granted, this is A change, but not one that merits a 350 page book.
A pleasant surprise!
My boyfriend is a big Tera Patrick fan, so I got this for him after finding out she wrote a chapter. He hasn't had a chance to read it yet because I have been hogging it.
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Subjects:  1. Popular Culture - General    2. Pornography    3. Sex-oriented businesses    4. Sexual behavior    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Women    8. Women's Studies - General    9. Pornography & obscenity    10. Social Science / Pornography   

Subjects:  1. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    2. Human Sexuality    3. Philosophy    4. Pornography    5. Pornography & obscenity    6. Prostitution   

Reviews (9)

Weimar Berlin Is *ALIVE* and Electric!
This *is* the most comprehensive book about Weimar Berlin on the market. Full of never before seen pictures, illustrations, and information, this book is what any Deco era enthusiast needs. Mel Gordon's text is anything but dry, stuffy, or overly scholarly as these books can tend to be. No, instead, his enthusiasm and interests spill onto each page, electrify in a sence with his tell-tale approach and overwhelming details about Pre-War Weimar Berlin's enigmatic history. If Neo-Weimar studies are your cup of tea, then this book is the "on the rocks", "straight up", cold hard shot of gin! I recomend the 5th Edition (2006 Version) hardback that includes the original 2 sections that are omitted in the first few before it. The replaced sections are wonderful and if you've seen the book before, you will be quick to notice that Gordon has added *more* pictures and has corrected the color on the illustrations and paintings. In short, Mr. Gordon's work is quite simply the *ONLY* work out there worth reading about this subject. A UC Berkeley professor, accomplished writer of several books, and former New York Actor's Studio alumni how can one argue that his writings and lectures are not the most dead on and most effective out there? See him lecture, read his work, and keep tabs on this history agent provocateur; he is the future of our unique artistic and often risqué past. - Amanda Campa (of The Art Deco Society Of California)

Picture book for very decadent children
In glorious black-and-white pictures and color plates, Mel Gordon illustrates the splendour that was Weimar Berlin. This book is necessary for any uppity later generations who thought they came up with nightlife, sex and provocation.

Entertaining brain candy but, should I take this seriously?
"Voluptuous Panic" is colorful, interesting, and amusing. Its a fast and enjoyable read.Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Germany    2. History - General History    3. History Of Individual Cities    4. Popular Culture - General    5. Pornography    6. Sex Relations    7. Social History    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Family & relationships    11. Germany    12. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    13. Popular culture    14. History   

Reviews (15)

Helping Those Trapped in Pornography!!
Henry Rogers doesn't pull any punches, here, in his expose of this tawdry topic, but all too common problem we have in our society.The chapters of his book include many different fronts, and cover the personal and private lives of those who have been harmed by pornography.He has included his own story, but there are some really good chapters, such as Chapter 4- She Has a Name, whereupon he cites Elis, Stefani, Amy, Kristen, and Julie, and he states that "their reason for existence is to satisfy lust, and that their names are insignificant."A truly troubling thought.
A mans book written for men
Rogers trendson ground that angels, and the rest of us, fear to go- ministering to those trapped in the deception of pornography.It was not an easy book to read, I felt as if I need to wash my hands after doing so; yet, I think it is a necessary read.Rogers gets past the fantasy, deception and lies of the sex trade and casts the light of truth on its effects on the men who are trapped by it, their wives and families who suffer because of it, and the woman who serve in it. Very Eye Opening for 'Sheltered' Christians
I thought our marraige had survived an adulterous affair... I didn't recognize any of the signs or symtoms of an another affair but something just wasn't right. I had no idea how broad and how deep sexual addiction goes. Now with instant access to porn and personal ads, the problem is about rampant.As a woman closely involved with sexual addictions and its ramifications, I must say I read most of this book with my jaw dropped. I agree with some parts of the other reviews that perhaps it would be difficult for a man deeply embroiled in the addiction not to find something in it to turn him on. I am thankful that God prompted the author to write so frankly about such an ignored issue within the church. Yes, I was Flabbergasted at what is out there but I feel more informed. The author presents many pornography myths - especially that it is victimless. I paused for quite some time when he stated that lust is sin and sin is why Christ had to die. Then the personal history's of topless dancers and porn 'stars'...Wow do we need to watch the messages we send to our daughters about their worth and the beauty of biblical sex in a committed loving relationship. He addresses internet issues and helps the reader identify some red flags. We need to be informed enough to become more proactive. Wake up fellow Christians! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - Pop Culture Issues    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Social Issues    3. Christianity - Pastoral Ministry    4. Pornography    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / Human Sexuality    6. Religion    7. Religion - Christian Life    8. Social Science / Pornography    9. Human Sexuality    10. Men's Studies    11. Psychology & Psychiatry    12. Sex addiction    13. Social Science   

Reviews (8)

Eye Opening
I have read most of what Mr.Jones has written to date, and find each book compelling. This one takes the cake - a long read and one which requires concentration, but opens the eyes to a cultural concept that is not at all understood when we review the history of our culture. What we have inherited, the sins of the father, has polluted our culture to its core. Read this and pass it around - it ties nicely into Degerate Moderns, and syncs with Johnson's Intellectuals.
Amerikathe City of unbridled Lust
Although this book is ostensibly about the history and ideology of "sexual liberation" as a tool for social control, its deeper thesis is that the de-Christianization of the West was brought about by the efforts of occult groups and powerful individuals who used sex and social psychological techniques to implement their agendas.Beginning with the Marquis de Sade (a degenerate who codified his fantasies in fat pornographic books and later devised a second rate philosophy to rationalize his incessant onanism)Jones traces the history of an obsession, viz. sexual lust, and the cerebral exertion of intellectuals to assuage their guilt in the absence of religious commitments. Casualties of the sexual revolution
The thesis of E. Michael Jones's "Libido Dominandi" is that, far from really liberating anyone, "sexual liberation" has served to deliver powerful means of social and political manipulation and control into the hands of our ruling élite. He marshals some impressive evidence. Here we read about Edward Bernays, Sigmund Freud's nephew and the founding father of the public relations industry, who was among the first to realize how sexual imagery could be employed in advertising. Long before the infamous "Virginia Slims" ad campaign, Bernays used the suggestion that cigarette smoking was an act of feminist independence to sell Lucky Strikes to women. Here we see the origins of the Planned Parenthood organization in the hope that birth control and abortion would reduce the numbers of the poor (especially ethnic Catholics and blacks), and resolve the dilemma of the welfare state. Here we learn of the fraudulent methodology of sex researcher Alfred Kinsey, the sordid character of much of his "research," and the way in which Kinsey manipulated his academic superiors and his chief sources of funding through an implicit threat of blackmail, because these people had been foolish enough to give him their "sexual histories." The rôle of the Rockefeller Foundation in both the Planned Parenthood and Kinsey enterprises was motivated by the obsaession of John D. Rockefeller III with eugenics, the pseudo-science of "race improvement." We learn also of the profound antipathy of the eugenicists and sex researchers towards Roman Catholicism, which they viewed as their principal adversary. Jones exposes the origins of "Americans United for the Separation of Church and State" in the anti-Catholic bigotry of Paul Blanshard. The organizations described here present a façade of respectability to the public that would not be so easy for them to maintain if their backgrounds were better publicized. Read more

Subjects:  1. Ethics & Moral Philosophy    2. Philosophy    3. Political History    4. Pornography    5. Reference    6. Religion    7. Gender studies    8. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (2)

G is for gorgeous
Sometimes less is more and with this book.It is totally, great photo's from beginning to end some of them revealing and some of them not so much.But this is for the better each photo has something offer just about anybody.After checking out G-man, i'm wanting more of this in spades.

A visual feast - a huge talent!
Glen Hanson has produced so much artwork of amazing quality.This latest project is just a wonderful as all the rest, interesting, beautiful, unusual - you have to get this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art & Art Instruction    2. Nudes & Erotic    3. Pornography    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Erotic art    7. Photographs: portraits   

Reviews (7)

Biased and useless for women
I bought this book because a website recommended it - I found it on a search for pornography and masturbation addictions in trying to understand my man, in how I could be a part of his private life.This is a book about the justification of using pornorgraphy and excessive masturbation.The examples come from addicted individuals.If you are a woman and want to understand what your guy, who seems addicted to porn, will really turn out like if you never came home, read this.No deatails, no reasons why, just simple, basic, man behavior.I had to throw it away before finishing it, because I decided that was not what I wanted in a partner.I am in the process of selling my house and getting out now.

The Need to Rebel
Pornography is little more than the opportunity to get in touch with the need to rebel in society for men who experience the many stresses and angers which build up in a week, a month, a day. The ability to project those feelings into the air by acknowledging them sujects women to the unfortunate position of being the objects onto which those aggressions are played out - either actually or in the mind. It is the flaw of modern society that offers its women as the mental punching bags of men with the need to acknowledge and express their angry lack of control over life, but has served the purpose for many years. Through objective superiority of indulging themselves with that taboo, what is created is the disassociation of the ability to love women or to respect them, a devastating effect in terms of human relations, but one that is all too common, and appears in many different formats. If it was still possible for men to react to each other in safety as they traditionally have, by beating each other up when they were angry, it's possible they would not be steered to force that aggression upon women instead (or children). Unfortunately, society has found the only possible niche that too often works - the private, and ultimately, blameless setting for such aggressive expression - their own houses, and upon their own families. Freedom of expression never had it so bad. To avoid conflict at work, it's shoved into the private forums of millions, and without the advantage of socially acceptable outlets to release that tension, either on farms or in free health clubs. The tension finds its own level upon those for whom resistance is impossible, and in whom the cowardice is safely kept, at home and out of the public eye. The reason women do not leave is that by offering men no other forum in which to display the aggressions they feel, society is comfortable keeping it out of sight, as well as out of mind, and singularly within the potential problem solving design of the females who must care for them - their own bed, so to speak. Efficiency-wise, it has always worked, and for most, the solution is simple, "if it ain't broke, why fix it?" This, of course, ignores the reality of what most know, and others suspect. Keeping it under the covers works best, and with no easy or cost-less solutions, it's every man or woman for himself. That is the mindset, and has always been. Domestic violence has been a "given" because of that for far too long, and offering the weak and measly option of pornography to help objectify the process, the cultivation of male superiority is given its greatest outlet, and its most loyal advocate. For women, that is the problem with pornography. It isn't about love, or sex, but about male supremacy - in its most disgusting form - in the nude. It flaunts it, without embarrassment or guilt, and certainly without honor.

not for those who live in a black/white, right/wrong world
This isn't a rigorous, statistical study - nor does it claim to be some lofty, definitive analysis of How Pornography Affects Men.This is an anecdotal collection drawn from a survey of internationalvolunteers who range in age, sexual orientation, and ethnicity.They likewise vary in their opinions on pornography - some feel it should be banned, others feel it should be freely available, and most fall soundly in between.Read more

Subjects:  1. Human Sexuality    2. Men    3. Men's Studies - General    4. Pornography    5. Sexual behavior    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. SOCIAL SCIENCE / Pornography   

Reviews (2)

Revising a Classic for The Better
I don't know if Larry Townsend ever had an inkling of just how influential his 1972 original "The Leatherman's Handbook" would become. I am certain he probably had no idea that - within a decade - the mantra of Gay Liberation would become fogged over by the onset of the plague of AIDS and the total indifference of the Reagan Administration. Leathermen, with their work hard play harder sexual ethic, were hit especially hard.
Even better than the original!
An excellent "how to" manual for the sexually dominant man.Gay or straight, it makes no difference, the attitude and techniques described in this book cut to the essence of what makes sex worthwhile: power and control.Clearly written, with lengthy sexual anecdotes, it is as sexually charged a book as was ever written. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Social Science    3. Sociology    4. Gay men    5. Sexual behavior    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Leather lifestyle    8. Sadomasochism    9. Sex instruction for gay men    10. Sexuality - Manuals    11. Homosexuality, Male   

Reviews (4)

Wonderful pictures!
This book is well put together with beautiful pictures. The pictures are high quality and this book is really a conversation starter! The Playboy book began with pictures of Marilyn Monroe, which I have never seen before and they are beautiful. One thing that was disapointing were some of the stories. The print was so small that you could not read the story, only the captions. Another thing to watch out for is the dust jacket. It's very easy to see any small marks and the gold scratchs off easily. Keep it in a cloth to protect it. I recommend this book to everyone, even if you've never read a Playboy magazine!

Playboy 50 years
Great book. Tons of excellent photos from the early days through present.A few sections of interview excerpts and ofcourse, my favorite cartoons!

The REAL Playboy
Although Playboy is what it is, and because of the reason why many people purchase the magazine, there needs to be an understanding of the true content of the magazine through the years.Remember that the magazine is usually only 20% sex and nude women.That leaves 80% every month to be used for art, technology, controversial editorials, interviews, etc.This tome is huge and heavy, and I'm glad it takes the reader through a tour of 50 years of the COMPLETE world of Playboy.If you only want naked women, don't buy this - buy either "The Playmate Book" or "Blondes", "Brunettes", or "Redheads". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Journalism    3. Media Studies - Print Media    4. Photo Techniques    5. Photography    6. Playboy (Chicago, Ill.)    7. Playboy Enterprises    8. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    9. Pornography    10. Subjects & Themes - Erotica    11. Erotic art    12. Photographs: portraits    13. Popular culture   

Reviews (9)

I've been there and she spoke for millions of us
I'm an ex-sex worker.I now belong to Sex Workers Anonymous.I've lived this industry and I know the crowd Linda spoke about in her books.She had the courage to write about what wasn't just her experiences - but also many of ours experiences - but we go off into hiding and fear once we leave rather then speak out like she did knowing what it could and did cost her.I watched while people who knew nothing of this industry attacked her for speaking out about this industry doing what men do - always blame the woman/victim.Speaking out about what really goes on in this world affected her health deeply from the stress and contributed to her early death I'm sure.She's not the only one who had lasting health problems to deal with after having left the sex industry though no fault of her own.In America - a man can go to jail for raping his wife - but not for raping a sex worker.What people don't realize is that many of these men, women and children are living out Linda's story - they can't get out without fear of themselves being killed or their family members.I knew a pimp once who would hold a woman's child hostage until she came back each night with "his" money.One night she got arrested and wasn't able to come home on time.The pimp cut off the left arm of this six year old girl.Anyone who thinks you can't be held in this business against your will - obviously hasn't been there and should shut up about something they know nothing about.I consider Linda a martyr for taking all the guff she took to tell our stories and to try to enlighten people about what goes on every day - but we don't have the guts to tell about our stories ourselves.Anyone who wants to know what this industry can really be like - should read her stories.If all she wanted was to keep making money and just made this up to sell books - she would have done what Xavier Hollendar or Norma Jean or Heidi Fleiss - did.Sell a hell of a lot more books feeding into the american myths about this business - without any of the flack she took for telling the truth.The woman had the courage of a lion - not only to survive what she did - and to live to tell about it - but also to tell about it in the hopes that us "unknowns" are more believed when we try to tell our stories and try to get help to get out.

Disturbing
My rating is actually a combined rating for both books: I read both "Out of Bondage" and "Ordeal" many years ago and I was appalled at what happened to the former Linda Boreman. I found both books to be brutally disturbing and I came to believe her story. Maybe the descriptions of the people, their behavior and the abuse in both books were so horrible, I just wanted to believe in her. Or maybe I could not believe that someone who had just made the most successful porn film (and, allegedly, the most financially successful film of any kind) would walk away from all that money if they were really doing it of their own free will. I heard Linda Marciano speak at my college when I was a Senior and, while I did not agree with the views of the group she had become associated with, I found her to be believable. Ultimately, everyone will have to read these books and decide for themselves.

Linda Part 2
In the first book Linda Lovelace gave a history of her career in porno movies. In this book she declares her innocence of her former career.Much of the blame she places on her former companion and manager Chuck Traynor. This book definitely was not as interesting as her first book. I considered this book to be a letdown.I you want to listen to 1,001 excuses this is the book for you. Otherwise read "Out of Bondage". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bargain Books    2. Biography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Case studies    5. Lovelace, Linda    6. Motion picture actors and actr    7. Motion picture actors and actresses    8. Pornography    9. Prostitutes    10. Sex Relations    11. Social aspects    12. Sociology Of Women    13. United States    14. Family & relationships    15. Sexual behaviour    16. Women's studies   

Reviews (6)

Don't let the title deceive you
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.
Frank and Insightful; A Rare Mix
I read this book in a weekend, and I'm a slow reader.If I had to sum up this book in one word, it would be "deprogramming".It teaches the reader to suspend his or her presuppositions and approach sex from a fresh standpoint.She breaks stride with the traditional feminist camp in her discussion of pornography and prostitution by questioning the ideas that many feminists (and I tend to count myself as one) take for granted.She discusses our "sex-drenched, sex-phobic" culture and critiques many of the philosophical ideas that underlie many common views.Highlights include her discussion of the Adam and Eve myth, Augustinian Christianity, sexual taboos, homosexuality, and transgender issues.At one point, she comments that most authors who write about sex do so in a way that seems as if they're afraid that anyone who reads their work will be afraid that they are actually turned on by the subject.Tisdale is not one of these authors.Her language is frank and honest but not gratuitously shocking.I teach a college philosophy course and we will soon be spending two weeks on this book.My students are eagerly awating those lessons.The current lack of interest that academic philosophers have in these issues is unfortunate.We talk about sex all the time and it is such a big part of our lives, yet so many think that the ideas that we approach our sexuality with are not worthy topics for rigorous examination and discussion.We need more writers like Tisdale who are willing to discuss these issues in an honest and intelligent way.Buy this book!

More philosophical than sexual
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 asmall but powerful and thought-provoking book. Read more

Subjects:  1. Human Sexuality    2. Love / Sex / Marriage    3. Pornography    4. Sex customs    5. Sexual ethics    6. Sexuality    7. Social aspects    8. Sociology    9. United States    10. Social Science / Women's Studies    11. Reading Group Guide   

Subjects:  1. History    2. Literary Criticism    3. Pornography    4. Pornography (Social Aspects)    5. Sociology    6. World - General    7. Cultural studies    8. History / General    9. Pornography & obscenity    10. Social history    11. World history   

Reviews (1)

Guaranteed to Open Eyes
It is very gratifying that someone has published such a wealth of information pertaining to the causal relationship between pornography and violence against women. While the author, Diana Russell, and I are on opposite sides of the political spectrum (she, an ardent feminist; I, an unabashed conservative), and while her writing clearly showed her bias toward liberal feminism (she assumed "all women" were outraged at the fact that Clarence Thomas was cleared of Anita Hill's accusations), the sheer facts she presented spoke for themselves. I'd challenge anyone to read this book and not come away with it sickened at and convinced that the porn industry does indeed aid in the perpetuation of crimes against women. Russell covers quite a few bases, and includes descriptions of numerous pornographic pictures, statistical studies, and psychological experiments. She privately publishes a full picture version of Dangerous Relationships, named Against Pornography: The Evidence of Harm.
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Subjects:  1. Abuse - Sexual    2. Misogyny    3. Pornography    4. Psychology    5. Rape    6. Rapists    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. Women's Studies - General    11. Family & relationships    12. Pornography & obscenity    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / Interpersonal Relations    14. Violence in society   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Internet General    2. Computers    3. Criminology    4. Internet - General    5. Pornography    6. Social Aspects - General    7. Sociology    8. CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE    9. Family & Relationships / Abuse / Child Abuse    10. INTERNET    11. Media, information & communication industries    12. Offenders    13. Pornography & obscenity    14. SEX CRIMES    15. World Wide Web (WWW)   

Reviews (1)

Represent, Feminist Lesbian Academics!
Professor Duggan taught a gay studies course that I took at Brown University and she was so awesome.I read this book about two years after taking that class.I think the times that cultural studies scholars and legal scholars get together are pretty rare, so this is an excellent example of collaborative potential.This book asks and answers many questions.For example, why did most feminist historians not join anti-porn movements?The discussion on the Supreme Court's "Bowers" decision may seem dated in light of "Romer" and "Lawrence,"but at the time it was pretty eye-opening.I think I may have cited it for a sociology paper.Duggan takes a swipe at Joan Scott that makes me wonder how progressive academics gossiped about it.This is a wonderful collection by two tremendous scholars and I highly recommend that many critically-conscious people peep it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. Gender Studies    3. History    4. History: American    5. Human Sexuality    6. Lesbian Studies    7. Political aspects    8. Popular Culture - General    9. Pornography    10. Psychology    11. Sex    12. Sexual orientation    13. Sociology    14. United States    15. United States - 20th Century    16. Family & relationships    17. History / United States / 20th Century    18. Social history    19. USA   

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Allied Health Services - Emergency Medical Services    3. Child sexual abuse    4. Children    5. Children's Studies    6. Crimes against    7. Criminology    8. Forensic Science    9. Medical    10. Pornography    11. Sociology    12. United States    13. Child abuse    14. Paediatric medicine    15. Sexual abuse   

Subjects:  1. Date rape    2. Feminism    3. Feminism & Feminist Theory    4. Feminist theory    5. Pornography    6. Sex Relations    7. Sexual harassment of women    8. Sociology    9. United States    10. Women's Studies - General    11. Social Science / Feminism & Feminist Theory   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (15)

Terrific Book That Supports Freedom of Speech and Sex-Positive Feminism
As the long time president of the "American Civil Liberties Union," Nadine Strossen is one of my heroes. This book is a powerfully reasoned and completely honest assessment of pornography and why it should be protected as free speech. However, Strossen goes beyond the basic First Amendment arguments to discuss the reality of sexually expressive material and the benefits it can hold for our society, including women who are now breaking free from the chains of puritanism and double standards while expressing themselves sexually. She also provides many examples and comments from anti-censorship feminists such as Nina Hartley and Molly Ivins. Heck, even a writer I remember from my childhood - Judy Blume - provides quotes about the dangers of censorship.
Anti-freedom of speech book, poor panicky work
If I could give it zero stars, I would. Hurray for Free Speech!
With some concern about ten years ago I began hearing about a group of feminists who were campaigning against pornography.Catherine MacKinnon, one of the leaders, wrote, "Pornography, in the feminist view, is a form of forced sex... an institution of gender inequality... [P]ornography, with the rape and prostitution in which it participates, institutionalizes the sexuality of male supremacy."MacKinnon teamed up with another feminist, Andrea Dworkin, who has spouted a remarkable range of anti-sex rants: "Intercourse with men as we know them is increasingly impossible... It means remaining the victim... It means acting out the female role, incorporating the masochism, self-hatred, and passivity which are central to it."The MacDworkinites, as they are called, might be considered by some just a branch of feminists that are even more radical than their sisters, but the problem is that they are eager to chip away at the First Amendment.Read more

Subjects:  1. Constitutional - First Amendment    2. Feminism    3. Feminist criticism    4. Gender & the Law    5. Gender Studies    6. Pornography    7. Pornography (Social Aspects)    8. Social Science    9. Social aspects    10. Sociology    11. United States    12. Jurisprudence & General Issues    13. Pornography & obscenity   

Editorial Review

Nora Kuzma was a troubled teenager from Steubenville, Ohio; Traci Lords was the underage skin mag/porn queen who became the centerpiece of the adult video industry's greatest scandal. In reality, they were one and the same, the subject of this slick, if thin autobiography. But what's striking here is not the familiar storyline--confused, sexually abused teen falls in with drugs and the wrong Southern California crowd, forges fake IDs to become Read more

Reviews (69)

Underneath It All
Traci Lords tells her side of her story in this autobiography, but she does leave out some things that would have given the reader a better understanding. It's clear that her childhood was traumatic and that she suffered a complete lack of self esteem and that's part of the reason why she wound up in the porn industry. But she seems to suggest that she was more or less clueless as to what was going on and that she never got to know any of the people she worked with during those years. She writes about the difficulties of facing her family after she had started in the porn industry, but she doesn't tell us if they knew what was going on at the time, or if she had any contact with them at all or not.
Not bad, but not 'tell all' kind of book. Shows porn industry for what it is, lowlifesville
I still don't think Traci (er, ah, sorry;
Shameless self-promotion that lacks depth
Traci Lords has written another celebrity memoir designed to let people know how hard it is to be a star.In Underneath It All, Lords paints herself as a victim who had no control over her life from an early age and was therefore led astray into a world filled with drugs and sex.She does not, however, accept culpability for her actions and the part she played in rising to stardom because of her infamous stint as a "porn princess."This isn't to say that her autobiography should focus on her career as a teenage porn star and go into graphic detail, but that it is necessary to acknowledge that without those experiences she most likely wouldn't have achieved the commercial success that followed.To paint herself as an innocent victim is an exercise in shameless self-promotion and this book lacks the sort of depth necessary to feel any sort of emotion toward the author besides hostility for being fooled into thinking she might actually be candid and open.I did not enjoy this book and felt like the time spent reading it was wasted. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Actors    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Children in pornography    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    8. Pornography    9. United States    10. Women    11. aMotion picture actors and actresses    12. Biography & Autobiography / Women    13. Biography: film, television & music    14. Films, cinema    15. Individual actors & performers