The New Topping Book

Rating:
Summary: topping with an apron
Review: I think they were more worried about getting sued than writing a book on topping. nothing really explained how to "top", just how to be safe when you "top". no techniques at all. just a bunch of "be nice out there you big bad topper you..." i did learn one thing, career "bottoms" shouldn't try to write books on topping. they obviously can't explain it very well.

Rating:
Summary: Living BDSM
Review: my Husband and i got the new bottoming and the new Topping book, and love them both. They have a great point of view from the two ladies to both sides, and lots of places to go to for more advice. A definite must for people living BDSM.

Rating:
Summary: Great "Topping Manual"
Review: This updated edition of the classic "The Topping Book" contains all of the great information of the original, plus some updated info about "SM on the Internet," the proliferation of SM groups across the country, and so forth.

I've always enjoyed the authors' writing style (very informal, friendly, and to the point) in other books they've written together and The New Topping Book is no exception. It provides lots of good information and thoughtful points. I've been into SM for over a decade, yet there were still items in this book I hadn't thought of or considered before reading it.

The authors speak of "ritual" in SM. Very good point and the longer I do this sort of thing, the more I agree with them on this point. In fact, they devote a whole chapter to "spiritual SM," describing ways to incorporate ritual into your scene. They also talk about "shadow play," ie ways to do scenes with major emotional risk, both ways to do them and how to end them safely, and what to do if something goes wrong.

In fact early on in the book, Janet and Dossie discuss what to do when something goes wrong, and how to handle this, whether it's during the scene, right after, or even a day or several days later. This also goes for after care, for even when a scene goes great, one or both participants may want or need this.

Among other topics mentioned? As in the original edition, chapters feature topics like "What Is It About Topping Anyway" (ie 'why the attraction to it'), Rights and Responsibilities of a Top, Learning to Play, Ethics, even where and how to meet others (always of importance).

The end of the book has a short "resource guide" of books, support groups, even a couple of online resources for the reader to learn more. It's nice to see an update for this classic. Excellent job you two!