Product Description

Most people are curious; what is it like to work as an escort? According to numerous sex surveys, one of women's top fantasies is to be paid for sex. But escort work is not as simple as money for sex. Brooks, a former escort, has written a myth-exploding examination of what escort work requires from the escort while creating an honest and humane vision of a mysterious, maligned business.

The book is not a recruitment tool because the job is not for everyone. The Foundation is a reference written to create a realistic awareness of the pitfalls and bonuses of escort work for current and future escorts, as well as the curious public. Ultimately, safe and sane escort work leads to happier, healthier escorts. (And happy escorts make for happy clients.)

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #399847 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-16
• Released on: 2006-10-16
• Binding: Perfect Paperback
• 214 pages

Review
...Brooks has brought to the market an intelligent, one-of-a-kind book that any escort should not do without. -- FemmeVIP.com January 2007

...a provocative and well-written account of the myriad issues that need to be considered when contemplating involvement in this profession. -- Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality January 15, 2007 -- Dr. Todd Morrison

...The issues presented range from the serious (e.g., how to safeguard against sexually transmitted infections) to the more trivial (e.g., the importance of having soft skin, with an accompanying recipe for home-made body scrub - p. 75). However, from the vantage of the casual reader as well as those using the handbook as a "how-to" guide, even the seemingly trivial topics raised by Brooks are fascinating because they underscore the sheer number of elements that need to be considered when one works as an escort.

There are several strengths to the Handbook that warrant mention. First, Brooks is careful to frame the advice she offers within the parameters of her own experience and the escorts she has interviewed or known personally...second, Brooks has written the Handbook in a conversational style that is highly appealing; a style, one might add, that is difficult to implement effectively. The authorial tone used throughout is chatty, yet astute, and informative, without being dull...As a reader, I particularly valued the sections devoted to definitions (pp. 18-28; 119-132).

There are a few minor limitations that should be noted, ones the author may want to address in subsequent editions of the Handbook. First, the demonizing of "common" (i.e., street-based) prostitutes could have been avoided, without compromising the value of the book...Second, the author's comments about male clients serve to reinforce a rather traditional view of the sexes. Not all men are interested in the stats of pro athletes (p. 63) and, surely, there are some men who do not find women s hair most appealing when it s "spread on the pillow under [them]" (p. 72). Just as Brooks noted that her experiences may or may not be applicable to others so, too, should she provide similar qualifications on the part of clients.

Overall, I found The Internet Escort's Handbook to be both informative and interesting.

--Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality January 15, 2007

The Internet Escort's Handbook is a delightful, well thought out look at modern-day escorting. Author Amanda Brooks has taken up the task of addressing every question about physical and mental health that a woman could ask before she becomes a sex worker who advertises through the Internet.

She delves into an in-depth study of the industry, giving her reader all she needs to know about working for herself versus an agency, and talks about misconceptions of escorts...a technical assessment of physical appearance, sexually transmitted infection (STI) risks and safe sex practices and how to set personal boundaries through the services a woman offers. She concludes with coaching the new escort in how to set up an ad on a site like Eros Guide, what should go in the ad copy, selecting incall or outcall and how to choose the cities to work in.

...Brooks wrote this book from the standpoint of a woman who wants to make professional companionship a lucrative business (hourly rates ranging $300-600 per hour), have a higher quality of life, and who will have money in the bank and a home to show for it when she leaves the business...Brooks [writes] very candidly about the impact of body type, and weight, attitude, and ethnicity on an escort's earning power. She constructively talks about issues that many find insulting or which can create mayhem on discussion boards.

The only disadvantage of this her book is that for the seasoned escort who runs a successful business, the material she covers can be a bit redundant...Brooks book really is written for a woman who is completely new to sex work and using the Internet to advertise and network,...or who is looking for a "how-to book" to help her move up in this business in order to command a higher rate and better quality of life.

--$pread Magazine Spring 2007

For any reader who has ever been curious or presumes to know about the adult industry, the author brings this facet of the business to the surface. Amanda Brooks clearly describes the fine line between an escort and a call girl and gives the reader the how-to on personal care and upkeep, health, your body and your peace of mind.

In the adult industry where the exploitation of women is common, The Internet Escort's Handbook gives women the choice and the confidence to pursue this job as a professional businesswoman. The author explains the importance of escort work, not by means of obtaining a "fast buck" or a "wild ride," but applying your people skills to work to your advantage.

Book 1: The Foundation is meant for mature, open-minded women over the age of 18 and the author insists that this profession is not for everyone. Amanda Brooks makes the reader think carefully about entering this line of work, providing a series of thought-provoking questions. She does not glorify this vocation but brings to light some of the shocking situations that can happen with a client and how to handle yourself. Derived from her own experiences and extensive research, the author reveals tips and strategies to reduce the hazards that may arise while on the job.

The author's intent is not to encourage anyone to break the law or to promote working as an escort but to provide a well-written, informative guide to the profession. In the same way a secretary is provided with an office manual and a writer has a writer's guide for reference, Amanda Brooks has brought to the market an intelligent, one-of-a-kind book that any woman working as an escort should not do without. It is written in a natural, honest manner and told in a no-nonsense attitude.

--FemmeVIP.com January 2007

From the Back Cover

Amanda takes a subject that makes most people blush, go silent or laugh and gives it the honest, human touch it needs. Not only does she explain how the business can affect you, she shows how you can control your own business and life by making informed choices. Even if you wouldn't be an escort in a million years, seeing the power a smart woman can exert over her life is something we all can use.
-- Ms. Lisa, Founder of EscortSupport.com, the largest community and resource site for professional escorts on the Internet

The first reference series of its kind...

If you've ever wondered what it's like to be an escort or have considered working as an escort, then you've probably wondered things like:

Is this something I should be doing?
Do I need to look like porn star to make money?
What will clients expect from me?
What are my real health risks?

These questions are just a few of the many issues discussed in this groundbreaking book. Read the Table of Contents for a detailed overview.

Every woman considering an adult entertainment career should buy this book and take the advice that Amanda is providing. This book has vital information you will need to know. It's a perfect companion to read with my book, Working: My Life as Prostitute. Mandatory reading!
-- Dolores French, author of Working: My Life as a Prostitute

Amanda Brooks may be the closest to an American Geisha we will ever see; the cultivation of what is beautiful in human interaction transcends even the author's exceptions, I think. The book was designed to educate, inform and improve the lives of Internet escorts, but it is clear, there is no man or woman who could not benefit from the wisdom of this book...This should be required reading for every woman and man who has ever wondered about the why's and how's of the opposite sex...I may have learned as much about women and my relation to them in the first fifty pages of this book as I learned in my first forty years of life. The Handbook's online Resources.

About the Author

Amanda Brooks is one of those rare people who have always been drawn to the adult industry. She was in her last year of college when she decided to enter the industry by cocktailing at a leading Dallas gentleman's club. Six months later, she advanced to stripping. She danced for the next four years; working her way around the major clubs in Dallas and Las Vegas. At 26, still curious, she placed an escort ad online for a weekend. That experiment was a success so she quit stripping and began building her business as an independent escort. Although based in Dallas, she worked in over 15 major cities during her escort career. She retired from escorting just shy of 29 and began working on a book for escorts.

The idea for The Internet Escort's Handbook was born only a few months after she began escorting. The general lack of reliable information and the complete lack of all necessary information in one resource led her to feel that there was a need for an escort's handbook. Her, and others', experiences in the business showed her that such a reference guide was essential to an escort's safety and well-being, both personally and professionally.

Born and raised in Texas, Amanda has traveled all over the U.S. and internationally for business and pleasure. She holds a Bachelor's Degree with a double-major in photography and English. The Internet Escort's Handbook Book 1: The Foundation is her first book.

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Customer Reviews

very informative
I found this book to be a very informative book which I would highly recommend to anyone who is fascinated by this aspect of the adult industry or is seriously considering entering the escort profession.The author covers everything from "is this profession right for you" to medical,emotional and cosmetic issues.Its very well written and broken down piece by piece.I enjoyed it alot!

Excellent Read!
I just got done reading the book a few hours ago, as someone who has been an escort hobbyist for many years it was interesting reading about the other side of the coin. Ms. Brooks is humorously insightful as she explains everything from the differences between a Professional Escort and a call girl. As a hobbyist I have known for years that the stigma of escorts are women who are addicted to drugs or were molested as children is not always the case. The book helps to show that most people in this business are professional and deserve to be treated as such. If you are considering this line of work this book should be the Genesis of an escort Bible. I really look forward to reading the continued editions!

highly educational
This is not a sex book. The style is simple and direct. there are lots of very interesting topics. I loved the part about "taking care of physical appearance". This does apply to women in general, not only escort business. The part about protecting yourself from STD is a little paranoiac but since this job is exposed to high risks, it is good to know what the risks are. I would recommend this book for all women and men (even if this is mostly for a women audience), curious about this underground world. It is more about the facts and the technical aspect than about the morality, although the author mentions the psychological part and the fact that it often leads to a double life. This book is intended to be a how to guide, but it can be read for entertainment only as well. I am a married man and I have more respect for these women after reading this book. They are normal women, often educated and running a home business, with all the administrative part of it.