Since we're often asked, here's our listing of books we think are worth having on your library shelves. We've already looked up each of these books on Barnes & Noble Books for you. Click on any book link here and you'll open a new window with more information direct from the Barnes & Noble site. You can buy any book easily and safely there, usually at a good savings off list price too. Close the Barnes & Noble window when you're done and you'll be right back here.
For your convenience we grouped the books into categories. The category names below are clickable, as they will be wherever else you see them in our Book Suggestions section. Each link will take you to a page focused on that category, and at the top of each page are links to all the other category pages. Right now we only have a limited number of our favorite books listed on each page, but more will be coming online soon.
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Alternative Lifestyles
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Reference & Non-Fiction Books ~
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Erotica & Fiction ~
Our books list section is always going to be a work in progress, but here's the basic organization. The Alternative Lifestyles section will feature some of the more well-known "Scene" books, and others focused on bdsm, kinks and fetishes. The Reference & Non-Fiction section is where you'll find some basic "how-to" books, and other factual books focused on sexuality but not necessarilly bdsm or specific fetishes. Eventually that's also where we'll add medical, psychiatric and psychology (scholarly) texts plus some general health and safety-related publications. Finally, the Erotica & Fiction section is where we'll list fictional books focused on a wide range of lifestyles, plus some others that simply contain erotic power scenarios - including some non-consensual. Poetry will also be added to that section for now, but we'll probably give it its own page later.
As we see new releases that we think are worth having we'll also tell you about them here. Bookmark this page and check back here to see what's new. This first section is where we'll highlight our latest suggestions.
by Mark Thompson (text)
and Fakir Musafar (Photographer)
Arena Editions
Hardcover, 196 pages
ISBN: 189204157X
list price: $50
price here: $40
published March 2002
The road of body modification, piercing, and mutilation is untraveled by most people, yet it holds an undeniable fascination for many. This book, the first monograph devoted to Musafar's photography, chronicles this compelling topic in an amazing collection of 140 photographs taken by Fakir Musafar, widely known as "the father of the modern primitive movement."
Fakir Musafar is known worldwide for his fifty years of research and personal exploration into primitive rituals and body decoration. Fakir has introduced concepts and practices for the "body first" approach to exploring spirituality in art/body modifications. A world-renowned shaman, artist, master piercer, and body modifier, Fakir has played a significant role in the revival of body-related practices for personal expression, spiritual exploration, rites of passage, healing, and reclaiming.
Musafar has devoted most of his life to the personal exploration of body decoration, photographing himself and others since the 1940s. Since the beginning he has steadfastly documented himself and others with the camera, recording the interaction of spirit and flesh during body rituals, modifications, and decorations. The result of this half-century of visual documentation is an amazing compilation of images that underscore not only the peculiar beauty but also the sheer wonderment of body/spirit interplay.
"Spirit + Flesh" reveals a broad array of modern primitive practices, while serving as the first art book dealing with this compelling topic. Fakir's photographs - beautifully composed, well lighted, and expertly printed - reveal a modernist edge. Their power, however, resides in the uncanny and unexpected nature of Fakir's representation. Although numerous books on this subject exist, none to date have brought to light so many truly amazing, intense, and sometimes impossible to believe, images.
Now here are some words directly from Fakir...
Greetings from Fakir Musafar ~~
I can't believe this is really happening. After 50 years of photographing my own body play and the play of friends and lovers, a retrospective collection of these amazing images has just been published by Arena Editions. This new book is titled "Spirit + Flesh." It shows a broad spectrum of experiences: bondage, piercing, tattooing, fetishes, sensory deprivation, body rituals and modifications. If you've ever seen any of my photos (like in "Modern Primitives" or "Body Play") and enjoyed them, this book will fill your cup. The introductory text for "Spirit + Flesh" was written by my friend Mark Thompson, author of "Leatherfolk" and many other books.
And for frosting on the cake, I am totally thrilled that one of the world's premiere photo agents will be selling original signed prints from my collection. The first gallery hanging of Fakir fine art photos will be from April 11 to May 18 at the Fahey/Klein Gallery at 148 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, California. I will be there in person for book signing and an opening reception the evening of April 11, 7 to 9 pm. If you live in or are visiting the L.A. area (especially attending the LLC Conference), you are invited to attend.
I will also be available for a book signing in the San Francisco area on Tuesday May 14 at the Modern Times bookstore at 888 Valencia (near 20th) from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Other book signing events, appearances and/or print exhibitions will be announced at a later date. And don't miss Fakir & Cleo on The Learning Channel April 20 & 21! TLC is airing their new program "Human Canvas II" with our interviews and fantastic footage of Fakir's Branding School. Check local listings for program times.
Your modern primitive & now artist friend,
Fakir Musafar
You can click the book cover above or the "I want this book" graphic to order it now. A new window will open direct from the Barnes & Noble site so you can order it easily and securely. Just close the Barnes & Noble window when you're done and you'll be right back here.
Book suggestions continue on the next page. You can use this link - Alternative Lifestyle Books - to go there now.
We're very interested in your feedback on this new section of our site. We're also looking for comments on any of the books here which you've read. Or any books which aren't listed here yet but which you think are worth having. You can use the comment card below to send us your feedback without having to use your email program.
