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saranel81's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted so much more from this book. I wanted it to take its time and really explore some of the topics, but each chapter ended just as things were getting interesting. It's bare bones, unfortunately, when what I really wanted was some meat. It introduced some really fun stuff but each chapter seemed to just fizzle away or end abruptly. The best were the pieces written by Alan Moore, which gave some nice insight into what he was looking for in his research and what he got from the information. He was also the only one to provide any kind of source material. Pet peeve of mine, but if you're going to present historical facts, I need a resource to back it up and to allow me to go and get more information about it. Other than the books Moore says he read, there are no other sources cited. I know how to do my own research, but it would be nice to know what books/blogs/websites to start with.
Bottom line, nice introduction to some really fascinating subjects but no follow-through and no suggestions on where to find more information.
Bottom line, nice introduction to some really fascinating subjects but no follow-through and no suggestions on where to find more information.
rlbasley's review against another edition
5.0
I love books by these guys! You think you know all about this era? Bet you don't
nefeli's review against another edition
2.0
I can't even tell you what the book was about because it was all over the place; a bit of Steampunk subculture, tidbits about Victorian society, some random facts about the Old West... it reads a little bit like the authors got together and decided to each write a few chapters about things they find interesting that have to do mostly, but not only, with sex.
There are a lot of interesting pieces of information, historically speaking, throughout the book (pro), but no sources whatsoever to back them up (con). And yes, I know that the internet exists and that I can search for stuff myself, but I'm used to a bit of bibliography when I read non-fiction books that don't just present opinions but actual facts, especially when we're talking about history or science.
There are a lot of interesting pieces of information, historically speaking, throughout the book (pro), but no sources whatsoever to back them up (con). And yes, I know that the internet exists and that I can search for stuff myself, but I'm used to a bit of bibliography when I read non-fiction books that don't just present opinions but actual facts, especially when we're talking about history or science.
threerings's review against another edition
3.0
Review originally published at steamingenious.blogpot.com
A Steampunk's Guide to Sex is a unique little book that seeks to both educate on Victorian sexual practices and provide guidance to modern readers in the sexual arena.
It consists of a few themed "chapters" which are collections of very short pieces on various topics, by various authors. As such, the quality and interest of the pieces varies. But generally the information about Victorian sexuality is very informative, well researched, and interestingly written.
I read this book mostly in very short sessions, but I often found myself reading more than I intended because it was so interesting. I consider myself something of an expert on the Victorian period after decades of reading fiction and nonfiction on the subject. I've even read a few nonfiction books on the subject of Victorian sex. So it's pretty impressive that I definitely learned things I didn't know from this book. The collection of Victorian sexual slang was particularly impressive in the sheer number of terms I'd never encountered (and I've read Victorian porn.)
So from slang, to Victorian porn, to Alan Moore on the lives of prostitutes of the period, to the history of vibrators (steam-powered and otherwise), the Victorian content is really good. My only complaint is that I often wished the pieces were longer, that sometimes I had just got good and interested in the subject when the piece ended.
The latter portion of the book discusses different forms of kink and offers advice related to people looking to pursue them today. This I found both less interesting and less helpful. Perhaps I am in a minority who has had plenty of exposure to basic ideas about polyamory, BDSM, sex work, and consent issues, but I didn't learn anything I hadn't known or heard before, and I was bored. Moreover, I really don't see how some of the topics related either to steampunk or the Victorian period. Tips for becoming a stripper, for instance. I understand the feeling that a "guide to sex" must provide practical advice, but I think possibly a general "how to pursue ethical sex" and "how to find out more about things you might be interested in" may have left more room for the interesting Victorian stuff.
Again, opinions might differ from mine. But I felt that the very superficial treatments these topics received here were unlikely to really help people who are genuinely interested in them. And the focus on kink to the exclusion of "normal" sexual practices (common practices, maybe) might leave someone with a skewed image of steampunk itself. Certainly steampunk may be accepting of people who practice a wide variety of kinds of sex, but it's hardly of huge import within the community. Unless I'm just attending the wrong steampunk parties. Also, I suppose I should mention that this book includes tintype photographs that contain nudity. I have to say the photos were a little disappointing in their total lack of "steampunk-ness," other than the fact that they were tintypes.
At any rate, I do recommend this book to anyone curious about what Victorians really did in the bedroom.
A Steampunk's Guide to Sex is a unique little book that seeks to both educate on Victorian sexual practices and provide guidance to modern readers in the sexual arena.
It consists of a few themed "chapters" which are collections of very short pieces on various topics, by various authors. As such, the quality and interest of the pieces varies. But generally the information about Victorian sexuality is very informative, well researched, and interestingly written.
I read this book mostly in very short sessions, but I often found myself reading more than I intended because it was so interesting. I consider myself something of an expert on the Victorian period after decades of reading fiction and nonfiction on the subject. I've even read a few nonfiction books on the subject of Victorian sex. So it's pretty impressive that I definitely learned things I didn't know from this book. The collection of Victorian sexual slang was particularly impressive in the sheer number of terms I'd never encountered (and I've read Victorian porn.)
So from slang, to Victorian porn, to Alan Moore on the lives of prostitutes of the period, to the history of vibrators (steam-powered and otherwise), the Victorian content is really good. My only complaint is that I often wished the pieces were longer, that sometimes I had just got good and interested in the subject when the piece ended.
The latter portion of the book discusses different forms of kink and offers advice related to people looking to pursue them today. This I found both less interesting and less helpful. Perhaps I am in a minority who has had plenty of exposure to basic ideas about polyamory, BDSM, sex work, and consent issues, but I didn't learn anything I hadn't known or heard before, and I was bored. Moreover, I really don't see how some of the topics related either to steampunk or the Victorian period. Tips for becoming a stripper, for instance. I understand the feeling that a "guide to sex" must provide practical advice, but I think possibly a general "how to pursue ethical sex" and "how to find out more about things you might be interested in" may have left more room for the interesting Victorian stuff.
Again, opinions might differ from mine. But I felt that the very superficial treatments these topics received here were unlikely to really help people who are genuinely interested in them. And the focus on kink to the exclusion of "normal" sexual practices (common practices, maybe) might leave someone with a skewed image of steampunk itself. Certainly steampunk may be accepting of people who practice a wide variety of kinds of sex, but it's hardly of huge import within the community. Unless I'm just attending the wrong steampunk parties. Also, I suppose I should mention that this book includes tintype photographs that contain nudity. I have to say the photos were a little disappointing in their total lack of "steampunk-ness," other than the fact that they were tintypes.
At any rate, I do recommend this book to anyone curious about what Victorians really did in the bedroom.
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