Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #429363 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 220 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781573441308
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
Need help with your riding-crop technique? Wonder how to wrap your husband like a mummy? Or maybe you caught your girlfriend wistfully eyeing a pair of handcuffs in a shop window and simply want to know how to bring up the subject with her. Sensuous Magic has the answers. Writer, therapist, and sex radical Patrick Califia-Rice has updated his classic introduction to S/M and power play to embrace couples of all persuasions and at every stage of experience. Although not a comprehensive technical guide (you will need a book on rope bondage, for instance, if you want to learn appropriate knots and techniques), Califia-Rice's text offers insightful warnings, advice, and commentary, the kind of guidance you might expect from a seasoned mentor. It is especially well-suited to daring beginners, who can learn the basics on safety and communication, while being titillated by more advanced topics like whip selection and master/slave contracts. --Regina Marler

Customer Reviews

Excellent Job
This second edition of this book takes the material in the previous edition, updating it in certain spots and adds new material. As another reviewer has pointed out, this book is not a "how to do BDSM manual," instead it covers more of the emotional and mental aspects of doing BDSM. And each of the chapters finishes with an erotic SM story, one that fits the topic just discussed in the chapter. Topics the author covers include myths about SM and demystifying them, communication & negotiation, impact play, developing role preferences, different SM relationships, finding community, and even a chapter on edge play. Although some of this chapter some might feel is not necessarily edge play. Your mileage may vary.

Califia also takes a realistic attitude about doing SM throughout the book, pointing out for example that what may really hot in your mind (like a full on 24/7 D/s relationship) may not be practical when it comes to things like doing shopping or picking up the dry cleaning, or holding down a 9 to 5 job every day. Or that your Top may have a bad day or not be perfect at all times. Reality rears its ugly head.

Califia even includes a glossary of terms in the back, a resource guide, and further reading material. While the book is aimed primarily toward people new to BDSM, there's enough material here that even so-called "veteran" SM players will enjoy reading. Califia is a long time community member and his experience shows in the writing of this book.

One of the Best for the Leather Community...
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.

hot, smart, sensual - a must have
Sensuous Magic is my favorite intro to BDSM book. The book covers all of the basic areas of BDSM in a way the both demystifies and normalizes. Patrick Califia approaches the topic in a way that emphasizes the emotional and spiritual aspects of BDSM play first, and the technical aspects second. Our brains are our biggest turn ons and he knows it. And, he manages to tuck erotica into each chapter - hot, hot, hot.

One of the other things that i love about this book is the inclusion of all genders and sexual orientations. Mr Califia knows how important that is on a very personal level. He used to live as a woman, and now identifies as a man. The perspective of someone who has lived in multiple parts of the gender contiuim is valuable, especially when playing with power.

If you don't have this book, and you are thinking about BDSM play, you need it.

Happy playtime!