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Rating: 
Summary: Good beginning but the best way to learn
Review: As with many things sexual and kinky, books can be a good way to first investigate an activity or interest and a non-personal way to introduce your partner to the idea. Wiseman's book is the most detailed discussion of erotic bondage to date. A wide range of equipment is examined and basic positions and rope work is laid out in words and images. It would be great if the book were spiral bound though so you can lay it out flat when you are practicing. The book, however, is not a substitution for either learning hands-on style or just practicing over and over. There is also a good discussion of the emotional and creative components of erotic bondage.
Rating:
Summary: A Handbook that's safe, sane and very practical
Review: Jay Wiseman credits Alex Comfort's "Joy of Sex" for starting his interest in erotic bondage, and now he has refined his own years of experience into a handbook that really defines the art of bondage play. This is a very practical how-to manual with step by step instructions, many clear diagrams of knots and a few tasteful line drawings of people in bondage. The book is a full course in erotic bondage with rope, and it also provides lots of good advice on safe sex and on personal safety. This is the best advice book yet on this topic, far better than other titles in this field. It is not sensational, not abusive, and provides equally for both genders and all persuations. Highly recommended to all interested adults!
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best bondage book out there.....
Review: Jay Wiseman is an extremely intelligent person when it comes to the artful, fantastic, and fun world of s&m. He has been in the scene for many years, and has experienced just about everything one can in the s&m world. I highly suggest reading his books if you are a first timer, somewhat new to the scene, or a seasoned veteran. If you ever have a chance to see his seminar in a town near to you, then you should feel priveleged to experience his wisdom in person and purchase more of his books.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best bondage book out there.....
Review: Jay Wiseman is an extremely intelligent person when it comes to the artful, fantastic, and fun world of s&m. He has been in the scene for many years, and has experienced just about everything one can in the s&m world. I highly suggest reading his books if you are a first timer, somewhat new to the scene, or a seasoned veteran. If you ever have a chance to see his seminar in a town near to you, then you should feel priveleged to experience his wisdom in person and purchase more of his books.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointment for advanced players
Review: Many people interested in bondage have shied away from it for reasons ranging from the emotional to the practical. Addressing the "whys" as well as the "hows," Wiseman untangles all confusions and frustrations, leaving no excuses not to knot.
The content focuses mainly on rope bondage. A couple of chapters cover other types of restraints such as gags, hoods, tape, chains, webbing and the ever-classic handcuffs. All equipment is clearly described and its uses explained. Special attention is paid to the differences between poor and high quality materials. Reading this book will prevent many unnecessary disasters.
Unlike most typically dry books of instruction, Wiseman's friendly, nefarious style keeps the pages turning. Even the most mundane details are sprinkled with personal memories and wicked humor. Another excellent item from the outstanding Greenery Press catalog.
Rating:
Summary: A book that gives you a good start .
Review: My husband and I just began this sort of thing and we Really enjoyed this book... This book has real information that anyone can follow. It give lots of safty information and it give great Ideas. If you really want to know how to do basic bondage stuff, make sure you read this!
Rating: 
Summary: Next must-have from Wiseman
Review: One of the author's stated objectives in writing this book is "to deepen, broaden, clarify, and update the body of knowledge regarding bondage." To this end, the Handbook is an unquestionable success. Perhaps more importantly, this book puts a huge body of bondage knowledge into a concise, available, and accessible form. Handbook contains over 200 pages of pure rope and bondage knowledge, written by someone obviously passionate about the topic. Jay's instructions are generally quite clear, although some ties (Japanese Arm-wrap Harness comes to mind) would benefit from a numbered or bulleted list format. The simple line drawings were a perfect accompaniment to the text. These 200 pages are very well written, and structured logically for both an initial read and later references. This "part 2" of Handbook is the most complete bondage how-to I've seen. It's targeted at novice-to-intermediate bondage enthusiasts, and covers this ground thoroughly. In his own words, Jay Wiseman has a reputation as an "ultra-safety-conscious person," and this publication won't put that reputation at risk. There are another 100 or so pages preceding the bulk of this book. Before getting to the core topic, Handbook covers basic BDSM terminology, his own credentials, and safety, safety, and more safety. I have mixed feelings about this part of the book. There is enough new material, particularly relating to bondage, to justify reading it. However, most of "part 1" is a repetition information in Screw, SM101, and every other major BDSM book. I feel like Handbook goes to the 50% depth on safety information... not deep enough to be a newbie's first BDSM book, but long enough to give that impression. The repetition of this information in "part 2," applied to specific ties and techniques, is infinitely more useful. Throughout the book Jay refers to his "research" and "files," information he has deliberately collected about deaths and serious injuries in BDSM play and related non-kink pursuits. He outlines some valuable conclusions about causative factors in BDSM injuries in addition to appropriate precautions. Unfortunately, the reader gets very little direct data... statements are phrased with "most", "many", "few", and similar relative words. We're left to trust Jay's analysis and categorizations. A summary of the data itself, sample size, source, and completeness information would have been interesting to me, although my background is in analytics and this may not be a problem for other folks. There is one major leap from this research. Although Jay has always been extremely cautious about any breath or neck play, he covers military-style restraints that include a rope around the neck. He provides solid rationale for this decision, despite its disagreement with common wisdom. I applaud his willingness to think out of the box. There will always be room for a "more advanced" book on a given topic, and this is no exception. Don't buy Handbook to learn about suspension, because the topic isn't covered. Handbook doesn't detail the stylized techniques of Japanese bondage, and Jay consistently assumes that bondage will be limited to 2 hours. As far as it goes, however, this book is exceptional. Who should read this book? Certainly, any BDSM newbie interested in bondage from either side of the rope will love it. Buy a broader introduction to BDSM book first, but Handbook is a must-have for you. Bondage enthusiasts with some experience will also get a lot from this book. Folks like me, with years of experience haphazardly tying people up (or favoring leather and chains ;), might just find that it kindles a real interest in good bondage. Even if you're BondageMaster, you'll probably enjoy reading Handbook.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, a little overboard with the safety issues.
Review: This is a very intensive book that covers most things in rope play. EVEN SAFETY CONCERNS. I wish you luck in finding a better book than this that covers as much subject matter as this one does. If you're just exploring the possibilities or are and old vetern this is the book for you. Hell, the Boy Scouts could bennifit from this title.
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