Product Description

"Painfully Obvious" is a collection of 40 provocative essays by the former publisher of Drummer magazine and popular San Francisco leather columnist Robert davolt. Originally written for the LeatherPage.com this anthology takes an unorthodox look at leather relationships, community, contests, business, tradition, history and leadership. Inside perspective and practical tips on "what To War," "Leather On The Cheap" and "Passing The Bar," are delivered with authoritative research and barbed humor.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1417630 in Books
• Published on: 2004-01-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 250 pages

Review
Bravo for having the guts to say the things you did in your article (The Metaphor of Leather). -- Dave Rhodes, publisher, Leather Journal

Davolt has always prided himself on being, in his words, an "equal-opportunity curmudgeon." -- Steve Lenius, Lavender Magazine

Great article (Advice For The Ambitious Leather Contest Producer), informative and accurate. -- Chuck Renslow, Founder and Producer of International Mister Leather

It should be required reading for all current and future (Leather Contest) judges. -- Walter Klingler, Chicago

Thanks for your articles! They seem to be filled with some common sense that we sometimes lack on these things -- Larry Everett, IML 1995

Very insightful column and humorous at the same time. -- Lenny Broberg, IML 1992

From the Publisher
If each writer contributes a unique voice to his or her publication, Davolt’s would have to be first and foremost the voice of experience. Davolt has been there, done that, and has the scars to prove it:

• When he offers tips on running a leather business, he’s writing from personal experience—he has been in the position of earning a paycheck by producing a product for the leather community.

• When he offers advice to budding leather columnists, he offers credentials in the form of this book and in the fact that he has in the past taught journalism. (Don’t believe that stuff about "Those who can’t do, teach"—at least not in this instance.)

• He has been involved in all aspects of leather contests. When he writes advice to prospective contestants, contestant sponsors, judges, titleholders or contest promoters, he knows what he’s writing about because he’s been in all those roles at one time or another.

• And he has certainly spent enough time in leather bars to be able to write authoritatively about "painfully correct leather bar etiquette."

Therefore, Robert Davolt merits your attention, respect and credence. You may not always agree with him or with his point of view, but listen to what he has to say. He’s been there. And he’s willing to speak his mind and pulls no punches, since he has no advertisers to worry about offending.

Although these columns were written predominantly for gay leathermen, this book is certainly worthwhile reading for leather lesbians and kinky heterosexuals too. Davolt has always prided himself on being, in his words, an "equal-opportunity curmudgeon." Whoever you are, you’ll find a lot of leather wisdom (and just plain wisdom, too) in these pages.

Be glad he’s willing to share.

From the Author
The Metaphor Of Leather

Another Folsom/Castro Fair weekend in San Francisco. If I wear leather down to the bar, I get stopped by tourists who want me to pose for pictures like the guy in the Mickey Mouse suit at Disneyland. All these folks in town for High Holy Days— hope they aren’t disappointed. They get so pissy when they’re disappointed.

I once was one of those who believed that giants walked the earth. I read all the name-brand works and believed in magic places such as the Castro, the Village or Folsom and in immortals such as John Preston, Dave Rhodes, Robert Payne, Larry Townsend or Marcus the Merciless. To just walk among such Kings. . .

Now I read of a missing darkness, a lost passion in our leather community. I get so pissy when I’m disappointed.

Customer Reviews

This book ROCKS!
An uproariously true to life take on the leather scene, with equal doses of cynicism, humor and heart. Akin to what would come out if you ran the Marquis De Sade and Erma Bombeck through a meat grinder. LOVED IT!

Great book!
Great resource filled with common sense information about the dos and don'ts about being a member of the gay subculture known as the leather community. Robert has a way of critiqing the leather community and the ways and mores and yet not criticizing (at least, not too harshly) but still staying true to the relationships with the people that he is inherantly talking about. As someone who has an idea of the various situations of which he speaks I'm amazed and disarmed by his tact, his font of information and yet his brutal honesty.

This is definitely a book for those people who are interested in what goes on with gay leather men but don't want to wade through an esoteric tome that reduces human sexuality to theory and endless analysis. The tone is direct, factual, funny and warm.

Bravo!

It's almost like looking in a mirror
Painfully Obvious is a priceless collection of life experiences. Each essay helps to broaden our perspective of what it means to be a Leatherman. With his off the cuff humor and insight he has managed reach us all at a personal level. Even though you know you should not take his words to seriously secretly you can't help but not to.