The Body Art Book: A Complete, Illustrated Guide to Tattoos, Piercings, and Other Body Modification

"The Body Art Book" is billed as a "complete, illustrated guide," which it isn't. It highlights many topics, but none in depth. There are eight pages of color photos, and some black and white illustrations. However, for every thing I found wrong with this book, there was an equal and opposite reaction. For example:Regarding latex gloves: "Every piercer MUST wear latex gloves when touching sterilized tools or jewelry." Should this read "Every BODY ARTIST?" (After all, NOT only piercers should be gloved!) Furthermore, what about artists or clients with latex allergies? However, pointing out that gloves should be changed if the [artist] picks up the phone was very important.Regarding piercing guns: not enough emphasis, in my opinion, placed on the fact that professional piercers never use guns. However, the author DOES mention it, which is information that a lot of people don't know.There were a few snide comments about people who get body modifications to be cool. While that wouldn't be my motivation, if I were the author I might have said something more to the effect of One's body is sacred, so one might want to take that into consideration before making permanent changes for the sake of fashion (in other words, perhaps less condescending).I'm also not crazy about the layout of the book. Piercing and tattoo information is separated within chapters, instead of being in separate chapters. Also, I don't know why henna and scarification were in the same chapter!The author seems to have fleshed out an outline, but doesn't seem to have gone much further. It's a shame, because there is a ton of information on the Internet that would have given a great deal of substance to this book.There IS some incredibly valuable information in this book -- information that many people wouldn't have without doing some research AND information with which most people are not armed before walking into a studio.(This book was a Wishlist purchase.)

I read this before I got my first tattoo, and it was very informative. It didn't pretty-up anything, and was right to the point. I would definitely recommended it to anyone. I think the picture gallery could have been better though.

After buying this book, I read it front to back, several times over. It explains just about every form of body art. Its a great book for the beginner to learn more about tattooing and piercing.

In my case, I'm doing a school report on body piercing. This book gave my an extrodinary amount of information for my paper, and having a piercing myself, I found how to take care of it in cases that something goes wrong and I know that I have done everthing right in caring for it so far. I would reccomend it to anyone that is thinking about getting a body piercing or a tattoo It can really ease a person's mind and let them know whether or not it is a good idea for them to do any form of body art.

I think this is the best book to get if you are planning on getting tattoos and or piercing. I was unsure of what to expect when I got my first tattoo so I waited until I had a little bit more information. I picked up this book at the book store and read the book. It had everything you needed to know about what to expect when getting a tattoo or piercing. Also, it talked about symbolism, history, and even the aftercare of tattoos and piercings. I was convinced after reading this book to get my first tattoo, a virgo symbol. This became addicting as I now have 4 tattoos in all with plans to get more work done. Also, until I read this book, I have never even considered body piercing. I now have my second earlobe holes, cartilage, tongue, navel, and a clit hood piercing. I am very satisfied with the results. I highly recommend this book.