It's not that the book is bad because its not. It's just that we are talking sex here not rocket science. Tristan does try to provide the casual reader with lots of information on everything from sexual anatomy to BDSM practices but fails to be complete in any topic. She does make up for this flaw by providing an excellent resource guide at the end that is worth the price of admission.
All in all the book is somewhat too simple. There is lots of basic material on better communication, the joys of adding toys to your routine, adding erotica and role-playing but no real detailed information. If you want details you need to go to the resource guide to get the additional material. The book really is not much of a techniques manual but rather a simple overlook of what could have been much more informative if the topics had been shortened and more detail given to specific aspects of sexuality.
One of the best parts of the book are the questions that accompany each chapter. The reader would have been better served if more questions had been included. These questions are truly the highlights of the work.
That said the book is not bad its just a slow repetitive read at times. I would recommend it if you are looking for very basic information but if you want more there are better source books out there.
She began her career in sex education at a sex-toy shop in NYC. She honestly tells you all the sexual anthropology she witnessed and then some.
I did find the book refreshing in style and candor. It doesn't read like an ABC123 this is how you do it book, but somewhat like a personal experience from Ms. Taorminos' mouth to your ear. And let me just warn you now, if you dislike harsh slang maybe you should try a more clinical book.
This book covers all the basics any other sex book would but then she covers it with a little kink.
For the most part, this book did a great job with sex tools and toys. Everything you ever wanted to know but couldn't drag yourself into one of those stores to find out is covered. Once you've read the Sex tools and toys chapter of her book you most decidedly want to check out the goods in person just to see if they really exist.
This book also does a great job of demystifing the female G-Spot, emale ejaculation, and anal sex. In very plan language with seemingly life experienced knowlege Ms. Taormino tells you like it is.
I did enjoy many sections of this book but it did just skim some topics. I also felt this was a book for boys who like girls and girls who like girls but fell short of addressing girls who like boys.
Over all the book had some great places in it and great ideas but was decidely toned down from Ms. Taormino's usual Village Voice column and therefore could have been much better.
Worth buying if your interested in tools, toys, and the awsome resource guide.