Why don't you own this?

We have three editions of this essential s/m book. I'm especially fond of the 1972 edition, since Larry signed it "To Laura, my editor" back in 1994. It's a great combination of guidebook and hot leathersex, and while the current editions left out the slang of the day (I'm especially fond of the "groovy sex" in the first edition), the essential bits that give a good look into the 70's leather community makes this a classic.

Rating:


Nice intro, but not a comprehensive guide

I should preface my comments by stating that I am not a Leatherman. I enjoy the leather "costume," but felt a need to learn about what it really symbolizes. It was out of respect for the leather community that I picked up the book, in hopes of educating myself on its practices.

Larry's text serves as a nice introduction to leathersex, but it is by no means a comprehensive guide for the would-be practitioner. He does an admirable job of explaining the two basic roles of S and M, as well as differentiating between bondage and SM. The text goes into often riveting detail on many of the various roles, scenes and accouterments used by experienced leathermen, always with emphasis on mutual consent and safety.

The text lacks a discussion on the details of technique. In my opinion, the inexperienced practitioner should not attempt to use all the techniques discussed in the text without further research and/or training. To do so would be akin to skydiving after merely hearing of another's experience. Larry touches on the dangers associated with many of the practices featured. However, more emphasis is needed on this point if the reader is provided with enough information to tempt him to try it out on his own.

Throughout the text, Larry has commented on various changes in social attitudes toward the gay and leather communities and the impact of HIV and AIDS on sexual behavior over the last 30 years since the original text was written. Nevertheless, the text still falls short, in my opinion, in accounting for other changes over the last 30 years. Most notably, the seemingly increased number of psychos loose in society combined with the increased visibility/accessibility of the gay and leather communities. Larry warns against putting oneself in a position of vulnerability with an unknown partner, but I believe this warning takes on a new and higher degree of relevance today where hate crimes have seen an increase in number and brutality.

In short, the Handbook is a great introduction to the leather community and leathersex. However, the would be practitioner should still do a good deal more research, soul searching and acquire training before actually practicing leathersex.

Rating:


When There Was Only One

Back in the seventies, it was still a very risky proposition to attempt a gay publication of any sort. But in the California Seventies, books like "Song Of The Loon" (from the sixties) and eventually the likes of "Tales of The City" began breaking down the barriers, allowing homosexual men to be presented not as crazy or unstable, but as regular people in love. Larry Townsend went even farther out on a limb. He sat down in 1972 and spelled out, for the first time in book form, the codes of conduct that the underground Leather Scene and S&M men lived by. There were also several accounts of steamy real life kink encounters.

This was unheard of. Even now, with a much wider variety of books available on how to and relationship studies, not to mention my own writings, it is hard to remember a time when Larry's book was such a shocking event. Voluntary servitude and fetishistic behaviors are given a great deal of coverage here, and the amazing thing is just how much most of Larry's original foundations remain relevant. Even more to the point is just how much the format of "The Leatherman's Handbook" has become the blueprint for so much of our community's guidebooks; A little journalistic information followed up with some hot episodes.

Still, "The Leatherman's Handbook" remains a viable source of both etiquette and education in addition to its historical value. Quite possibly one of the most important books about the side of Gay Life that many would like to ignore, but is with us and vibrant and exciting for those who have taken this intimate discovery. A classic.

Rating: