The Big Book of Porn: A Penetrating Look at the World of Dirty Movies,   ISBN:9781594740404

Customer Rating: 

What red-blooded male could resist a book titled THE BIG BOOK OF PORN?

They say you should write what you know, and Seth Grahame-Smith obviously knows his porn. But what separates him from all the other raincoatters in the world is the way he can write about it in a way that makes you laugh, isn't offensive, and that actually teaches you something (albeit something you probably didn't need to know, like the porn preferences in Japan). There's details on how to make your own film, including what equipment you will need, and how to get it on the web. But my favorite part of the book was the listing of the top adult features of all time, including the original posters. I had obviously been focusing my efforts in the wrong place!

Seriously, if you want to know about the porn world, and don't want to read about the drugs and the disease and the other negatives so often present in other works about adult movies, this is the book for you. It's bright, well written, interesting, not offensive, educational, and overall just plain fun. There's jokes, gags, and inuendos up the wazoo. There's also jokes about gagging, and going up the wazoo. But the book delivers what it promises, and doesn't feel dirty at all. Well done Seth!

Customer Rating: 

Great coffee-table books, this covers a bunch of stars and genres. Easy to read with fun picture, this will make a great gift for those who have everything.

Customer Rating: 

Im not that big of a porn buff but every thing in this book i already heard before.Nothing new to me unforntunentley ! I did not hate this book, i liked it very much for the 2 hours it took me to read it !

Customer Rating: 

The Big Book of Porn lives up to its subtitle--it is a penetrating look at the world of dirty movies. It is a glossy, high-quality paperback with screenshots, actor portraits, vintage advertising posters, and glittery sidebars. Publisher Quirk Books has been known to release some wacky joke books in the past, but this thorough examination of a hobby with more viewers than sporting events (yes, it's true) is well worth the $20 cover price and a place on your history/anthropology bookshelf.

The book opens with a timeline of the invention of still and motion pictures, the ratings administered by the MPAA, the history of obscenity rulings by the Supreme Court, and the evolution of the stag film, peep show, dirty movie theater, and home video. The author is thorough in his examination of history, from the printing press to dime store novels to VHS to the Internet and on to...virtual reality? Grahams-Smith alleges that all the high-falutin' academic research in virtual reality is founded in a desire to invent the Holy Grail of porn. He decries our prudishness about "wardrobe malfunctions" and celebrates the mainstream influence of Madonna, men's magazine Maxim, and the rise of S&M-inspired fashion.

For anyone looking to advance their porn education, the author has a list of 20 all-time classics (Taboo, The Opening of Misty Beethoven, Insatiable, Alice in Wonderland, and more). The list explores the cultural and cinematic significance of each entry. Other lists include five modern classics and the two weirdest classics of all time (my lips are sealed, so pick up the book to find out the titles). The top list of leading ladies is impenetrable (who can argue with Annette Haven at #1?). Sidebars explore the magic formula for determining your porn name, the classic crossover actors, the international perspective, 20 sacred porn movie rules, and who's who in upcoming stars. Includes a glossary.

Customer Rating: 

This is a great book written in a humorous and witty style. It will entertain you as well as educate you. It reveals a lot of real names of porn actors and actresses. Also, it is packed, and I mean packed with pictures. This book is a page turner, and hard (no pun intended) to put down. I would highly recommend.