4.5, really. But such an enormously richly textured and well-edited collection. Almost every essay had points I viscerally adored and points that made me noticeably uncomfortable, which seems ideal for this kind of work. ( )

Put on some Judas Priest and learn about the biological effects and spirituality of fisting. ( )

Some books you read, and don't remember. Some books you read, they help you and you move on. Some books haunt you for life. This is one of the haunting kind. I'm still chewing over the essays by Dorothy Allison, John Preston and Thom Magister. I suspect, since they deal with ultimate matters, including death, that they'll be with me for the rest of my life. On the lighter side, Samuel Steward's hilarious account of a day at the Kinsey's makes a really interesting addition to the movie "Kinsey" ( )

A wonderful introduction to s/m and the leather community. The essays here are thought provoking and heartfelt. Worth a read for anyone interested in the leather community or simply curious. ( )