Erotic Massage - book discontinued by DK Publishing - review by Peg

Erotic Massage|Erotic Massage is a 160-page book packed with pictures and lots of information. The last three pages are a two-page index and the author's acknowledgment page, so it does not take long to read. In the introduction the author points out that, “A prerequisite to a good massage is to feel completely comfortable with nudity”, which helps set the tone on why there are so many pictures in this book in which both the person giving and the person receiving the massage are completely nude. There are, by my count, six different couples used throughout the book, all male/female with a variety of body sizes and ethnic backgrounds. All of the pictures are tastefully done with no full frontal nudity (maybe because of publishing rules?) but genital massage--which is referred to as intimate massage--is covered and there are colored drawings to provide visual reference.

The subtitle of the book--“enrich your love making through the power of touch”-- explains why there is more than just massage technique in the book. In many of the chapters there are text boxes with side bars of information, such as the Ten Golden Rules of Massage, a Touch Questionnaire, Touch Intensity Questionnaire, and Sexual Body Questionnaire just to name a few. There is also an entire chapter that covers both prescription and non-prescription drug use and the sexual side effects they may have on individuals. The book is broken down into six major sections and it is in these sections that different massage techniques|The Joy of Erotic Massage are discussed and demonstrated through the pictures. These sections include preparation for the massage, specific massage strokes used for various body parts, self-massage techniques, and male and female sexual responses. I did find the section layout a little bit confusing. In my opinion, I would have placed the Sensual Massage section before the In the Bedroom section, which would allow for transitioning from a standard massage to the erotic massage that the book is about.

The sensual massage section covers the major body parts and the various techniques used on these areas. I would have liked to have seen this section laid out in a recommended order, similar to what is received when going to a spa. The application of what is learned from the book to the person giving the massage would be more easily applied that way, especially if one has never received a spa treatment before. The way the body parts are described in this section has your partner turning over several times. A small text box off to the side could have been used to explain. The methods demonstrated can be done independently if one wants to do a specific body part. I will say that I was the recipient of a very enjoyable massage as a result of receiving this book and am looking forward to many more, and to giving my partner an enjoyable massage.