Reviews
Amazon.com
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

The author, Race Bannon race@bannon.com , November 20, 1997
I wrote this specifically for the SM novice
This book was written to specifically address the needs of the man or woman just beginning to explore erotic SM play. It presents the material in a concise and non-sensationalistic manner that respects both the fun and power such sexual play can bring to those who venture into this territory. Although the book is now officially a best seller in its field and that certainly makes me happy, my greatest joy comes from knowing that thousands of folks have improved their sex life by reading it. As one reader told me, "your book really improved our love life." Boy, did that feel good!

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Reviews
SKIN TWO
Don't take a dangerous trip into the unknown buy this book and know where you're going! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Lambda Book Report
Sensuous Magic is clear, succinct and engaging even for the reader for whom S/M isn't the sexual behavior of choice. Califia's prose is soothing, informative and non-judgmentalshe both instructs her reader and explores the territory for them. When she is writing about the dynamics of sex and the technical aspects of it, Califia is the Dr. Ruth of the alternative sexuality set.

Bay Area Reporter
Pat Califia's Sensuous Magic is a friendly, non-threatening, helpful guide and resource for adventurous couples who are interested in expanding the erotic boundaries of their sexual relationships.... She captures the power of what it means to enter forbidden terrain, and to do so safely with someone else, and to explore the healing potential, spiritual aspects and the depth of S/M. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description
Renowned erotic pioneer Pat Califia provides this honest, unpretentious peek behind the mask of dominant/submissive sexualityan adventurous adult world of pleasure often obscured by ignorance and fear. With her trademark wit and insight, Califia demystifies the scene for the novice, explaining the terms and techniques behind many misunderstood sexual practices. The adventurous (or just curious) lover won't want to miss this volume.

Customer Comments
Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 2

carl.talbot@gor.com from des Moines, Ia 50201 , July 11, 1998
Useful info for rank novice and hardened veteran alike
Pat Califia hits all the bases, and hits them well. She doesn't just stay in her own erotic turf (namely leatherdyke) but covers all areas of the Leather Underground, including my favorite: Gor. Fans of this book should keep their eyes on the ads in Heavy Metal: the Gorean Renaissance is about to erupt! You could do worse than to use this book for your guide to _living_ the fantasy! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

A reader , March 28, 1997
Makes you feel proud to love S/M
An excellent guide on S/M for beginners, as well as a sincere effort against all the misunderstandings around this sexual practice. Like any decent literature on S/M, Califia emphasizes the importance of consensuality and safety. What distinguishes this from other "how to S/M" books is the sometimes firy tone of Califia, a veteran warrior of sexual liberation, and 10 short-short stories on S/M, which gives the readers a good idea of what fun life with S/M can be, as well as great stimulants that make you reach for your vibrator. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Reviews
The publisher, Greenery Press , June 4, 1999
For the woman who wants to take charge...
... and the man who wants her to!

This friendly, non-threatening book is the perfect starting point for any woman who has fantasized about erotic power play. The basics of bondage, sensation and control games -- even a script to support her through her first scene! --This text refers to the paperback edition of this title

Customer Comments
Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 4

passionfruit4444@yahoo.com from Kentucky USA , May 12, 1999
Need to convince your woman? Buy this.
The gentlest introduction to femdom. The introduction even addresses the woman whose husband/lover took a huge risk to give her the book. Gives a fair treatment of the emotional issues facing the woman whose socialization is to be nice, pleasant, and receiving. Excellent discussion of processing emotions afterward. Good for the hopeful sub and for the domina with training wheels. --This text refers to the paperback edition of this title

TheMadMagi@Yahoo.com from California , January 28, 1999
A gentle introduction to the womanly art of domination
The Sexually Dominant Woman is custom made for the first time fledgling Fem dom. Written as much for the woman interested in exploring her dominant side as for her submissive partner, it addresses such fundamentals of successful domination as negotiation, safety, setting the mood, ethics, and more in an easily understood , non judgmental manner. From warm up to cool down, (and all the delicious parts in-between), Lady Green makes a comforting and informative guide. It even includes a a sample scene and tips for modifying it to suit an individual couples needs. Slightly more advanced players might do better with "S/M 101" or "Screw the roses, send me the thorns", but for the woman who is just beginning her journey it is a perfect introduction into feminine domination. --This text refers to the paperback edition of this title

texszem@yahoo.com from Austin, TX, USA , December 24, 1998
a MUST for the novice, curious, or experienced "Mistress"
This book is honest, open, sincere, and maintains a sense of humor throughout- just like the participant should be in their approach. The book dispells some of the taboos without losing one bit of the sense of fun, play and empowerment that s/m play and loving can have. It is so nice to see the key elements for safe, sane, and consensual fun are identified and de-mystified. A great starting point for any one curious or inquisitive about this aspect of sexual and loving experiences. Also a super help for those shy men with difficulty on how to bring up the subject for their partners. --This text refers to the paperback edition of this title

A reader from USA , December 7, 1998
A well-organized and sensible book. It's about time.
The book is well organized and very articulate about women taking charge sexually. The physical and emotional safety tips are sensible and make the reader realize their importance. Many different types of play are discussed with clear examples given. The sample scene is easy to follow - cookbook enough to feel comfortable with but not dull. Good list of resources at the end.

If you like her writing and are interested in spanking, you should also take a look at her book, The Compleat Spanker which Amazon sells for $9.56. It covers everything you might want to know about spanking from the anatomy of a spankee to positions, and various tricks, and fun things to try. There are appendixes on cleaning your toys and adding in bondage to your fun. 

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Reviews
Amazon.com
Philip Miller and Molly Devon think that S/M is fun, and "that reading about it should be fun, too." Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns is definitely fun, not to mention approachable, chatty, and insightful. What makes it truly special, however, is the sheer weight of loving details. There's clear explanations and detailed tutorials for beginners, as general as "safe, sane, and consensual" and as specific as "you will be swinging the whip with your arm pivoting at the shoulder." There's also solid advice, safety measures, steamy suggestions, plenty of black-and-white photographs, useful and humorous drawings, an extensive glossary, and over 900 entries of S/M clothing and equipment vendors, publications, computer bulletin boards, and organizations worldwide. As sadomasochism is a practice that's still taboo for many people, the chapter on finding partners and sharing your fantasies with existing partners can be invaluable.

Screw the Roses enthusiastically covers all the basics and even some of the not-so-basics--bondage, negotiation, sex, endorphins, dominance and submission, toys, safety, S/M community, and beyond. It's written primarily from the point of view of male dominant/female submissive interactions, but it's easily translatable into valuable advice for any relationship configuration. Miller and Devon's explanations of not just the how, but also the why, of sadomasochism are honest, sexy, funny--and a must-have for anyone who wants to learn about sadism, masochism, dominance, submission, or bondage. --Cheryl Trooskin

Customer Comments
Average Customer Review: Number of Reviews: 16

wclark1053@aol.com from Texas , March 24, 1999
One line?... EXCELLENT!
If you are just begining your exploration or an 'Old Leather'... this book offers insites and tips to expand and enhance your dreams and your realities. The information is straight forward and upfront. Take a chance... you will love the book and open your eyes.

A reader from Upstate, New York , March 19, 1999
The must have book for the novice!
I purchased "Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns" once I discovered that my boyfriend and myself had developed an interest in b&d. What a wonderful reading experience for both of us. It was fun to read and helped give us some insight to this strange new world we were discovering together. We fondly regard this book as our b&d bible.

A reader from USA , March 3, 1999
Great for the beginner and the experienced
Screw The Roses, Send Me The Thorns was recommended to me by a gentleman friend who knew I was new to the scene and wanted to learn more about it. It's gives direct, easy descriptions delivered in a funny way that keeps you feeling like you'll have fun if you try it, not trying to scare you off or tell you what to do. The gentleman wasn't lying when he said you'd turn back to the book time and time again, and that it would become your handbook many times over. Most importantly, it teaches you how to have safe and delicious fun whether you're new or experienced. A definite buy!!!!

T_Spider@HotMail.com from Los Angeles, CA, USA , February 10, 1999
Excellent
Emphasis on Safety and playfullness. Filled with pictures and usefull documents, references, and great Joy. I have bought many copies as gifts, for friends, newbies, and experienced. It is required reading for all of my Ladies.

Uncle Larry (UncleLarrySir@yahoo.com) from Lancaster, PA , December 19, 1998
Screw the Roses, ... is right on target!
As a scene player for a number of years and a personal friend/playmate of the authors, I can attest to the superb quality and accuracy of this work. The authors provide a balanced perspective on many of the aspects of Sado-Masochism and how it is practiced by hundreds of thousands of people throughout the US today. Through several years of extensive research, the authors have captured many of the best tips and techniques for safe, sane Sado-Masochist play. The book is a joy to read and an essential handbook for people wishing to better understand and explore their sexual drives.

A reader from colorado, usa , October 29, 1998
wonderful book
this is a wonderful book for beginners and novices alike, also great for those who are just curious. it was given to me as a gift and i loved it :) it has great tips and advice and explains the general guidelines for safety quite well. i recommend it to anyone who is curious about bdsm.

A reader from California, USA , August 26, 1998
I feel confident
I purchased this book from Amazon.com and found it to be very worth the money. I am a novice with no experience whatsoever, with the intent to encourage my unknowing partener to be my 'dom.' This book includes terminology tips and safety warnings that I found useful to my building know about SM. The one setback is this: it does not say much about how to encourage a man to be dominant, only how to encourage a woman to be your submissive. I am looking for more information about that. Otherwise: a wonderful book.

cwatson@dnai.com from Paris, France , July 20, 1998
Excellent place for the novice to begin
As Someone who has been involved in the BDSM scene long before the current flood of interest I have been in the situation of having to explain the elemetary point of BDSM philosophy hundreds of time. Now I can refer them to 'Screw the Roses...'. Before this book there was no really accessible source of information from a such knowlegable individuals without personal interaction, something that many do not have the benefit of. The presentation is fun and informative. An Excellent introduction. I look forward to more from these A/authors.

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A good companion to this book is Warren's Safe, Sane, Consensual and Fun which is a collection of short stories designed to be easily recreated as real scenes. He even includes side bars detailing scene pacing and the toys he used. 

Warren has also written two of the better bdsm erotic novels: The Torquemada Killer and Murder at Roissy. 
 

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Reviews
Midwest Book Review
It goes by many names: bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and more. In Jay Wiseman's SM 101, the long-taboo subject of consentual sadomasochism is accurately, insightful presented in the context of adult human sexuality, experience and tradition for the interested non-specialist general reader. SM 101 surveys the entire spectrum of consentual sadomasochistic practices from from bondage, to spanking, to erotic role-playing, and more. Now in an expanded second edition, SM 101 includes a new chapter on starting and running sadomaschistic organizations and events for consenting adults. Greenery Press has an extensive title list in the area of human sexuality and maintains a site on the World Wide Web (see the above URL) with a complete roster of their publications in various aspects of human sexuality and practices.

The publisher, Greenery Press , June 4, 1999
Over 25,000 sold!
The highly regarded, comprehensive introduction to consensual BDSM -- bondage, giving and receiving pain, role-playing, negotiation, finding partners, and more. This edition is updated and expanded, including a chapter on "SM Organizations," sections on lifestyle relationships, SM and pregnancy, and more, plus illustrations of key points.