Naked: The Life and Pornography of Michael Lucas

Taylor, Corey. "Naked: The Life and Pornography of Michael Lucas", Kensington Books, 2007. Lucas Superman Amos Lassen and Literary Pride Now that pornography has become part of modern American life, more and more people are aware of it but how many people besides gay men have any idea of who Michael Lucas is. After reading Corey Taylor's biography of Lucas, I can tell you that he is quite a man--cultured, educated and a brilliant businessman who has made a fortune as a porn producer, director and actor. He also exudes charisma. Born to humble Russian beginnings in 1972 as Andrei Treyvas, he immigrated to the United States in the mid 90's. He is a former male prostitute and an outspoken advocate for safe sex and social justice. His first porn movie was heterosexual "trash" but he quickly moved to gay fare and made a lot of money and won a lot of awards. His DVD sales are among the highest in the porn industry. He maintains a relatively anonymous lifestyle. We see a completely different Michael Lucas in this book that we see on video. Taylor has written a biography that is full of life and interesting tidbits. Lucas completely reshaped the gay porn industry and the fact that Lucas is a man with a big heart (among other things) makes this book all the more readable and endearing. He chased a dream and caught it and he personifies those who come to America to live a good life. The biography looks at the industry of gay porn through the eyes of a man who has helped shape it. Because Lucas was both a Jew and a homosexual, he felt compelled to leave his native Russia and after two years of prostitution in Eastern Europe and came to America. He had experiences with those in the drug trade even though he, himself, is not a user. In fact, he does not drink, smoke or take drugs. Beginning his gay porn career with what was then the best of companies, Falcon, he eventually left after making four movies and in 1998 he started Lucas Productions. Focusing on himself as a businessman, his operation quickly grew. He has special requirements for his actors and his movies are all professional to the letter of the word, For all of you who like the "dirt", it is also there. Sordid stories populate the pages but there is also a legitimate commentary on the nature and importance of porn. This is another of those books you won't put down until you finish it. It is fascinating and well written and a tribute to a man who deserves to have his story told.

I have to admit it. I really had no idea who Michael Lucas was before I heard about this book. Sure, I had come across his face from time to time (no pun intended) when surfing the web for ummm...sexual content for research, yeah that's it. But other than that, I'd never seen the man in action, literally. But, being a fan of Corey Taylor, I have patiently been waiting for his next book. And here was my chance to catch up on what I've been missing out on in the world that is Michael Lucas. Like many a porn star, Lucas is a hot immigrant who came to the states for a totally different reason. In rolls the need for artistic expression and the rest is history. But this is not just any boring bio penned from the mouth of your every day porn player for anyone who cares to listen. Taylor exposes us to how Lucas shaped the industry, despite its negative headlines at the onset of HIV. Lucas' struggle for a name in film, and his advocacy for safe sex, definitely put him on the map and fast. Yeah, I'm sure every porn star has a story or two to tell, and readers are in search of only two things: the off screen deep dish to make us laugh or the smut to make us aroused. I'm not saying you won't find either of those here, but take a second to appreciate the story that Corey Taylor has handed us. It is truly one with heart, despite the character at the center of attention, that might inspire you to keep chasing down that dream and fighting for what you believe in. Kudos to Corey Taylor for shedding a new spot light on the gay porn industry and one man, Michael Lucas, who rules the stage!