The better sex guide to extraordinary lovemaking - book discontinued by Quiver - review by g-

Please note that this book is directed at hetero-sexual couples (bummer I know) having specific sections/pages directed to only men, women, and man-woman couples.

The book is divided into three sections/ “steps”: Desire, Arousal and Orgasm. With a helpful Index of terms at the back.

The book is fairly basic: how to arouse yourself, how to arouse your partner, what is an orgasm, how babies are made, how to get achieve and orgasm, how to achieve an orgasm for your partner, oral play, toys, fantasies, and a very basic introduction to anal play and fetishes.

The alternate title could be “The Virgin’s guide to sexuality.” It is meant for the ill informed and inexperienced. However, as an experienced gal I like the book and I am glad I own it. While it can be painfully basic in some areas it held my interest throughout, reminding me of a dirtier version of the book “Bonk” by Mary Roach: a bit technical, a bit of history, and a wry sense of humor.

The Better Sex Guilde I think was meant to be a newlywed/virginal couple’s guide to sexuality. Throughout the book there are “helpful”(not really) Sensual Homework assignments for the couple, both individually and together (annoying)… some of them are pretty stupid. i.e. Shave each other assholes to build intimacy (Really? Um, that’s a libido killer in my house). In addition there are letters written to just the man or just the woman and I must say that some of the brotherly/sisterly-fatherly/motherly advice is totally off base and caves into some of the most basic of idealized gender stereotypes. The advice seemed a bit more fitting for a "Stepford" family and not the experienced/worldly adults of our modern age.

The quality of the book, its binding, cover, illustrations and photographs are all high quality. I enjoyed the erotic photos as some of the naked couples had real chemistry. The one downside was that they were all models (i.e. perfect bodies) in their 20’s with a few older 40-something males thrown in the mix. There were no older women, older couples, or older women with younger men etc... It was all quite vanilla, in fact the whole cast was Caucasian/light skinned. Not a woman or man of color in sight! I understand that from the marketing angle they made these decisions because they didn't want to turn their audience off. I still feel that that is no excuse! Human sexuality is beautiful no matter your color, age or weight. I find that real chemistry between real couples is a stronger appeal than a few pouty models pretending to not look bored.

Overall I do still love the book. The Better Sex Guide is a great book for a sexual person's library, if not for your own education, then to simply lend out to a shy friend. While reading it I kept thinking of people I know who had come to me embarrassed and looking for advice. I really with I could spared them squirming talks by simply having given them this book. The book would make a great gift most young couples.

I proudly display this book on the bookshelf in my bathroom for my partner and guests to paw through while otherwise engaged, firmly believing that even the most experienced partner can use some inspiration or a refresher every now and then.