WARNING: This book is about BDSM (Bondage Dominance Sadism Masochism), and if this is not an interest of yours, or if you are not an extremely open-minded person, you should skip not only this book, but this review.

Also, if you are not 18 or over (21 in some states), then you should not be reading this book or review, as it is about very adult material.

Different Loving, The World of Sexual Dominance and Submission explores a range of areas within BDSM. Among the subjects explored are:

Head Games
Ageplay
Depersonalization
Corporal Punishments
Bondage
Spanking
Whipping
Intense Stimulation
Body Modification
Corsetting
Tattooing
Piercing and Scarification
Fetishism
Erotic Extremities
Dressing for Pleasure
Transgenderism
Water Sports
Golden Showers
Enemas

There are, of course, other subjects covered that I have not listed. The book is divided into seven sections, and within each section, is divided again into chapters, each chapter covering a different subject matter.

In each chapter the authors discuss the different subject matters, with quotes sprinkled throughout, giving other's thoughts and opinions on that subject.

For instance, in the chapter, Spanking, the authors touch on spanking's place within our culture, and tell of historical documentation on spanking dating back to the Kama Sutra. They point out that there are no statistical studies on spanking and little formal research on it.

The authors then go on to tell you what, specifically, spanking is. While this may seem like something that a person shouldn't need to have explained to them, it is very helpful in other chapters where the subject matter is not so common place.

Later in the chapter, the authors touch on how spanking is used in a D/s context and how people that like spankings have a wide variety of preferences. Some of those preferences are then described.

Next in the chapter, the authors tell how a spanking is done. Many people who aren't into BDSM think that you just lay a person down on their stomach or across your knees and start spanking. That is not the case however, and this chapter dispells that illusion.

The chapter on spanking then touches on implements, attire, linguistic ettiquette, rules, and even how homosexuals incorporate spanking into their lifestyle.

Then, at the end of each chapter, the authors have interviews with people who are into that aspect of BDSM, in this case, spanking.

I wouldn't consider this a "how to" book for someone who is just starting with BDSM. I would not recommend this book for someone who wants to learn how to whip someone, for example.

But I would recommend this book for someone who is a beginner in BDSM and would like a little information on different aspects of the lifestyle. It is a good starting point for someone just starting out in BDSM.

For anyone who is starting out in BDSM, I would strongly recommend reading about it. Education is a very important part of this lifestyle. Ignorance can have dangerous repercussions in this lifestyle.

Other books that I would recommend:

Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns
Flogging
The Art of Sensual Female Dominance
The Loving Dominant

One last warning to any who are thinking of entering the realm of BDSM. Please, if you feel you are Dominant, do not subject anyone to any aspect of BDSM until you thoroughly practiced in it. And if you feel you are submissive, be very wary of who you submit to. There are pretenders and abusers in this lifestyle, just like there are outside of it. Be very careful of who you put your trust in.

I wish all a Safe, Sane, and Consensual experience.


Recommended: Yes