Sensuous Magic: A Guide to S/M for Adventurous Couples

It used to be Patricia. Now it's Patrick. I don't think we have any right to question this author's self identity. It is a wonderfully informative book, especially for beginners, and is not restricted to male/female relationships, like so many books on sex/sexuality are. I have read all of Patrick's books and recommend them highly.

I've only been involved in the BDSM lifestyle since last summer (2005)but have already read many books to help educate myself on the subject. In addition to SM 101 by Jay Wiseman and Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns, this is one of the best books I've read so far. Not only does Patrick Califia cover some things I've learned in other books, he also introduces some new terminology that I was unfamiliar with. The book is both informative and amusing, as well as educational. It's well written and I'm glad that I have the 2nd edition of the book as he covers things in this one that was not covered in the 1st edition due to restrictions at the time it was published. As he points out, BDSM has become a lot more accepted in "polite" society today than it was in the 90s. For those of us in the lifestyle, we now have better reading material and easier ways to find one another today than we had in the past. I highly recommend Sensuous Magic for both the novice and more experienced players.

Whenever someone asks about information about the SM Community, I have two required readings...Sensous Magic and the Leatherman's Handbook by Larry Townsend.I think Pat does an outstanding service to the community with this publication. This first edition was very difficulty to obtain, so with this second edition, a new generation will benefit from her knowledge. As she says..if we don't take care of ourselves, who will.

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!

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