New acquisitions: reviews (perfecting bondage + flogging skills)

New in my BDSM Library:

A handful of us are lucky enough to live near enough to kinky organizations / venues that regularly hold BDSM workshops and seminars, but how on earth do the rest of us ever obtain the practical skills we need? Here are a couple of great publications that explore different ways to perfect your skills in the privacy of your home:

Bridgett Harrington
"Shibari you can use: Japanese rope bondage and erotic macrame"
(2006 Mystic Productions) (cover above)

This is a bloody good book. Bridgett (hope she won't mind the familiar form of address but after watching an interrogation scene she did with Fetish Diva Midori in Melbourne last year I feel I know her a little, lol) includes all the 'usual' instructional basics (safety / types of rope / terminology etc) and does it very well but where this book shines is in her practical approach and stylish creativity. The use of macrame adds a magic component to her fancy rope corsets and gauntlet bondage - it could be intimidating in its complexity to reproduce, but the step by step process (both via pix and text) works well. The strap on harness is a beauty.

We were very lucky to buy a copy that Sax Fetish in Sydney probably acquired direct from Bridgett during her recent visit to Oz. Amazon alas don't stock it. The way to acquire it would be to contact Bridgett direct via her site and ask about your nearest distributor. This also provides the opportunity to admire Bridgett's site and read about her excellent educational seminars and workshops.

...

S/M Tech
"Flogging: the basics and beyond: presented by Joseph Bean"
(book and DVD) (2005 The Nazca Plains Corporation) (Amazon link above)

As part of a new series, a Joseph Bean flogging presentation is captured on a DVD which can then be watched at home by those unlucky enough not be to in the audience. And unlucky is the word, because this is no dry lesson but a very informative and lively interaction. And his flogging is expert and HOT.

Joseph Bean's Flogging (Greenery Press) is a classic publication, about which Midori has written (in an Amazon.com 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".

While "Flogging" covers an enormous range of issues, "Flogging: the basics and beyond: presented by Joseph Bean" is more specific in its presentation of a single session. But these are both publications you should have on your shelf. It is tremendous to have an opportunity via the DVD to actually observe such a skilled practitioner of flogging at work. The accompanying booklet then provides reinforcement for safety issues, etc while also containing excellent visuals from the same session. I'm definately looking forward to acquiring other presentations in this series.

Your questions to Mistress160 re these publications:

Did you learn something from these publications? Absolutely
Would they be okay for beginners: Yes - but also for more advanced Dom/mes
Will I actually be able to put that knowledge into practical use? Yes: you will be able to tie your partner up in stunning positions for sex, as well as create great body decorations with rope, and you will actually be able to watch a fantastic flogging scene and incorporate what you see into your own play
So, are they worth the money? Definately
Any final comment? If you can possibly attend workshops by Bridgett Harrington and Joseph Bean - both experts in their fields - then do so. Whether this is possible or not, their publications make excellent permanant additions for your BDSM library
What are you reviewing next: what would you like? Until then, remember you can also read the reviews in my BDSM For Beginners (part 1: published resources)

NOTE: I will be posting in the next couple of days about my recent caning scenes with solipsist. Until then you can find a preview on sol's submission blog where he has proudly posted photos of his marks....

Other books on my bedside table:

Skin Two 2006 issues
Black and White recent issues
Merl Storr "Latex and Lingerie: shopping for pleasure at Ann Summers Parties" (BERG)
"Good Food Guide 2007" Sydney Morning Herald (... happy sigh ...)
Conde Nast Traveller (UK edition) recent issues