Flogging

Rating:
Summary: Authoritative and exceptionally well-written
Review: As a novice top, I have been reading a lot of bdsm nonfiction lately. There's now a stack of these books on my bedstand. This one is unquestionably my favorite.

The author's approach to the subject matter is lucid, straightforward, and organized. Unlike most bdsm authors I've read, Bean scrupulously avoids drifting into reverie. His book never becomes whimsical or cute.

And the book is informative and absolutely credible. Bean certainly knows what he's talking about. I have read parts of this book with an experienced submissive, who finds its explanations and recommendations both interesting and worthwhile.

Absolutely worth the money, no question. You should buy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Very Cool Guide to Flogging
Review: Flogging is probably one of the most popular activities in BDSM. While I as a Dominant like to think of myself as being good with a flogger, I always strive to learn more. Reading this book has definitely caused me to do that. Joseph has put together a wonderful and very informative "guide" to this art. While Joseph cautions that you can't learn all about flogging from a book (and it's true), if you're a novice flogger, this certainly is a good place to start. And if you're a "veteran," there is still lots of valuable information about flogging to be learned.

Joseph divides the book into four main "scenes," each one designed to bring home certain points about flogging. Whether it's an intense scene between a Master and his slave (and discussing ways to achieve that), or a scene between two people who've never played before (illustrating the basics of flogging), a scene between two people that leaves one uncomfortable (educating your partner and negotiation), or even a "toy cleaning scene." (explaining how to clean your floggers). There's also information about flogging "technique," what kind of floggers to buy (including a special subsection about singletails), even a "history" of whipmaking.

Joseph Bean has written a number of excellent books over the years about the leather scene; this book is a wonderful addition to them.

Rating:
Summary: Flogging 101 - for beginners and long-termers alike!
Review: For those of us into "alternative lifestyles", it's wonderful to run across one of those books that just intrigues and educates from cover to cover. Even if you've participated in this kink for years (**raising my hand**), you will learn new things. Not only is Joseph Bean great at including the safety, medical, and emotional interactions connected to flogging, but he's fantastic at teaching something that normally is ONLY learned by DOING! I highly recommend this book to any kinkster. For those who aren't into kink, this will give you a view of WHY we enjoy this activity and why it isn't what you think it is. Now that you are intrigued, buy it. I couldn't put it down!

Rating:
Summary: Flogging 101 - for beginners and long-termers alike!
Review: For those of us into "alternative lifestyles", it's wonderful to run across one of those books that just intrigues and educates from cover to cover. Even if you've participated in this kink for years (**raising my hand**), you will learn new things. Not only is Joseph Bean great at including the safety, medical, and emotional interactions connected to flogging, but he's fantastic at teaching something that normally is ONLY learned by DOING! I highly recommend this book to any kinkster. For those who aren't into kink, this will give you a view of WHY we enjoy this activity and why it isn't what you think it is. Now that you are intrigued, buy it. I couldn't put it down!

Rating:
Summary: The "Master" strikes again!
Review: Joseph Bean has been a leathersex author, publisher, educator and community activist for more than 20 years. His material in the past has always been well-researched, written from years of experience and understandably written. "Flogging" is no exception. I would highly recommend this title to anyone, from total novice to the experienced player, who would like to know the proper, safe, sane, and consentual ways to flog and be flogged. The "Master" has struck again! (and in just the right spot!)

Rating:
Summary: The "Master" strikes again!
Review: Joseph Bean has been a leathersex author, publisher, educator and community activist for more than 20 years. His material in the past has always been well-researched, written from years of experience and understandably written. "Flogging" is no exception. I would highly recommend this title to anyone, from total novice to the experienced player, who would like to know the proper, safe, sane, and consentual ways to flog and be flogged. The "Master" has struck again! (and in just the right spot!)

Rating:
Summary: Authoritative and exceptionally well-written
Review: Let me say immediately that as far as I know, this is the first and only book focused on flogging in a BDSM sense. Many books have looked at the history and techniques of corporal punishment but in a consensual relationship you'll need different guides. The book is structured to look at different aspects and issues related to flogging using four types of relationships falling under four different sexual orientations. The male top and female bottom chapter looks at the basics of flogging and negotiation. The gay male chapter examines the growth and compromise involved in a long-term SM relationship. The lesbian chapter examines how things can and indeed may well go wrong and how a couple moves passed the problems to explore flogging as a positive sexual activity. The female top and male bottom chapter unfortunately is a professional relationship that has slid into the long-term, serious Ds model -- this does not reflect the vast majority of such Ds relationships. After each chapter, Bean looks at what has happened in the scenerio. For the first two couples these are solid commentaries and build on each other. This starts to break down with the section on problems however and the analysis after the fourth couple doesn't really mention them or any other scene much at all. A pattern was going and it really needed to be followed to make this an outstanding book. As it is, it is useful for beginners and experienced floggers and floggees who want to think and learn about it all a bit more.

Rating:
Summary: A good basic introduction to flogging.
Review: Let me say immediately that as far as I know, this is the first and only book focused on flogging in a BDSM sense. Many books have looked at the history and techniques of corporal punishment but in a consensual relationship you'll need different guides. The book is structured to look at different aspects and issues related to flogging using four types of relationships falling under four different sexual orientations. The male top and female bottom chapter looks at the basics of flogging and negotiation. The gay male chapter examines the growth and compromise involved in a long-term SM relationship. The lesbian chapter examines how things can and indeed may well go wrong and how a couple moves passed the problems to explore flogging as a positive sexual activity. The female top and male bottom chapter unfortunately is a professional relationship that has slid into the long-term, serious Ds model -- this does not reflect the vast majority of such Ds relationships. After each chapter, Bean looks at what has happened in the scenerio. For the first two couples these are solid commentaries and build on each other. This starts to break down with the section on problems however and the analysis after the fourth couple doesn't really mention them or any other scene much at all. A pattern was going and it really needed to be followed to make this an outstanding book. As it is, it is useful for beginners and experienced floggers and floggees who want to think and learn about it all a bit more.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Have Book for the SM Home Library
Review: No, you can't learn how to flog from a book. So what can this book do for you? If you're a novice, it'll set you on the right track. If you're a slightly experienced player, it'll help finesse your technique and better understand the emotional components on both sides of the whip, and if you're an experienced player it'll give you insight into the art of flogging from one of the masters of this particular expression of pleasure.

Instead of taking a dry and clinical breakdown of the activity, Joseph creates a rich conversational style, weaving in many layers of technique into the discussion of each of the four scenes he describes. This creates a book that's a pleasure to refer back to as the reader's experience expands.

Some minor suggestions that I hope the publisher will consider for the next edition... I hope that they may expand the accompanying illustrations and add a detailed index in the back for ease in referencing....

I am happy to report that I have added "Flogging" to many of my suggested / required reading lists as part of my instructional materials for the various SM / Fetish educational seminars that I teach across the country.

Don't hesitate to pick up this book. Then, as Joseph himself recommends, practice, practice, practice!

Sincerely,

Fetish Diva Midori

SM / Fetish Educator & Writer