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Stacked: A 32DDD Reports from the Front
What is it about breasts―or if, you prefer, bazoombas, melons, Dolly Partons, or breastasauri―that inspires such fascination? No one is even sure why women have breasts when not pregnant or nursing, but start a conversation about them, Susan Seligson discovered, and every woman, man, child, and drag queen has something to say. In Stacked , this intrepid 32DDD writer takes us on a journey through a culture where breasts have come to stand for all that is woman. Seligson introduces us to the proud owners of the world's largest augmented breasts; crusaders for the right to parade bare-chested in public; and women pining for larger breasts or smaller ones, who may resort to surgery or stranger fixes (breast-enhancing gum? giant suction cups?) to get the breasts of their dreams. She relates the history of the bra and takes us on a quest for the perfect one. She explores the thinking of surgeons who do hundreds of breast implants a year, academics suspicious of our changing standards of femininity, and the editor of Busty Beauties magazine. And she writes throughout with the wisdom and humor of a woman who knows what it is to wield body parts so powerful they can make men crash cars.
- GenresNonfictionWomensHumor
240 pages, Hardcover
First published February 20, 2007
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94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 5, 2017
So many things about this book bothered me:
- The author was ridiculously self-obsessed. Every single anecdote presented somehow returned to the fact that she has a not-found-in-nature but somehow-found-on-her pair of 32DDDs
- Not body positive in any way, shape, or form. Not only was the author was super judgy about the type of depraved woman who would alter her body surgically, she also referred to the droopy, the lopsided, the dimpled, and the tiny of us as "less than perfect."
- Her attitude towards transsexual men and transgender women was appalling. I mean she referred to their preferred bathroom as the "man/woman/whatever." And get your pronouns right you boob. There was an entire paragraph where she switched from he to she every other sentence!
-HOW can a book about boobs not talk about how they work? What are boobs made of? Why do they sag? How does breastfeeding happen?
I did relate to going from flat to buxom overnight and how a good bra can change a life forever. And after reading this book I wonder if I'm completely clueless because I've never noticed anyone talking to my boobs and no one has ever tried to touch them in public...maybe because they know I'd smack them with no hesitation. (I brought it back to my 32DDs, just like the author.)
- The author was ridiculously self-obsessed. Every single anecdote presented somehow returned to the fact that she has a not-found-in-nature but somehow-found-on-her pair of 32DDDs
- Not body positive in any way, shape, or form. Not only was the author was super judgy about the type of depraved woman who would alter her body surgically, she also referred to the droopy, the lopsided, the dimpled, and the tiny of us as "less than perfect."
- Her attitude towards transsexual men and transgender women was appalling. I mean she referred to their preferred bathroom as the "man/woman/whatever." And get your pronouns right you boob. There was an entire paragraph where she switched from he to she every other sentence!
-HOW can a book about boobs not talk about how they work? What are boobs made of? Why do they sag? How does breastfeeding happen?
I did relate to going from flat to buxom overnight and how a good bra can change a life forever. And after reading this book I wonder if I'm completely clueless because I've never noticed anyone talking to my boobs and no one has ever tried to touch them in public...maybe because they know I'd smack them with no hesitation. (I brought it back to my 32DDs, just like the author.)
October 2, 2011
A fast read and peppered with quick wit and dry humor throughout, "Stacked" reads like a "Vagina Monologues" shaken with a bit of watching "Louie", topped with an olive and served in a martini glass.
The topics were broad. From a "Vagina Monologue" like listing of slang for breasts; interviewing mega titted exotic dancers; interviewing cross dresses and transsexuals; interviewing Dr. Rey and the author participating in a topless photo shoot among the concrete jungle of New York, Mrs. Seligson did her best in covering all aspects and perspectives of the breast culture.
However, I feel the book could have been tighter. I felt that it read like a rambling journal of ideas, flashbacks and experiences. at some points. For example, the Maxi Mounds experience in Las Vegas would have been better served shorter.
Overall, I liked that I picked this book up from a random trip to my library. The title is evocative, the overall subject matter is overall a decent summary of ideas and I did find myself holding my own smaller breasts in my hand while reading the tale of breast happy Dawn Marie. But, again, I must say that this book isn't a life shaker. I would akin this book to be a nice, few hours quick read (with a few skipped pages) on a relaxing Saturday evening.
The topics were broad. From a "Vagina Monologue" like listing of slang for breasts; interviewing mega titted exotic dancers; interviewing cross dresses and transsexuals; interviewing Dr. Rey and the author participating in a topless photo shoot among the concrete jungle of New York, Mrs. Seligson did her best in covering all aspects and perspectives of the breast culture.
However, I feel the book could have been tighter. I felt that it read like a rambling journal of ideas, flashbacks and experiences. at some points. For example, the Maxi Mounds experience in Las Vegas would have been better served shorter.
Overall, I liked that I picked this book up from a random trip to my library. The title is evocative, the overall subject matter is overall a decent summary of ideas and I did find myself holding my own smaller breasts in my hand while reading the tale of breast happy Dawn Marie. But, again, I must say that this book isn't a life shaker. I would akin this book to be a nice, few hours quick read (with a few skipped pages) on a relaxing Saturday evening.
July 14, 2016
When I saw the title and read the blurb for this book, I giggled. After all, as women, we can all relate since our breasts are such a large part of the female experience. I was the opposite of the author though, I was flat as a pancake until I was pregnant with my first child - then I had a nice "rack." When my baby was born and my milk came in, they went from pleasant to machine guns overnight - even my husband looked a little scared of them at first! Once I was done nursing, I went back to being pretty flat. Such was life until just before I turned 40 and suddenly, "my girls" came in. I gained about 10 pounds and it all went to my chest - I went from a modest and very hopeful B to a full-fledged C. Only perk of turning 40 I must say! Although after spending most of my life being small and never having to worry about gaping buttons on shirts, I have entered another world and kind of long for my smaller self! Sigh!
The author's joke about the religion of bras cracked me up! "The Catholic bra supports the masses. The Salvation Army bra lifts the fallen. The Presbyterian bra keeps boobs staunch and upright, and the Baptist variety makes mountains out of molehills." Ha! I have to remember this one!
There was a whole chapter on extreme breast enlargements, and I have trouble understanding this. I fully am okay if a woman feels small and wants to do something about it. A friend of mine was an A cup and always felt self-conscious and wore a lot of padded bras to enhance herself. Finally in her late 30s, she had surgery and got a perky set of Cs. When she was all healed, she posted pictures of her family vacation at the beach. She rocked her bikini, and I jokingly told her if she wasn't married and I wasn't straight, I would totally be into her boobs! That said when women start getting breasts so large that it is unnatural or dangerous, I fail to truly understand it! It is frankly gross to me! I guess to each their own though!! As for men, sure they might "dig it" in Playboy or something, but my husband has said that men don't take these women seriously. I can truly agree with that myself!! People stare but label the lady a "bimbo!"
The chapter on creams and other devices to enlarge breasts made me giggle too! I know women fall for it all the time, and in my teens and twenties I was simple too poor to fall for it myself! In my thirties and forties I know it to be a hoax! It was funny to read about the author's tour of a natural pharmacy that sold various supplements - the fact that the herbs were laid over stones with the words "prostrate," "menopause," and such to help those afflictions even though it was all the same herb was silly. Sure herbs can help but they are not going to make your breasts grow a cup size!
Funny, entertaining, and thoughtful look at something that makes all of us women "sisters."
The author's joke about the religion of bras cracked me up! "The Catholic bra supports the masses. The Salvation Army bra lifts the fallen. The Presbyterian bra keeps boobs staunch and upright, and the Baptist variety makes mountains out of molehills." Ha! I have to remember this one!
There was a whole chapter on extreme breast enlargements, and I have trouble understanding this. I fully am okay if a woman feels small and wants to do something about it. A friend of mine was an A cup and always felt self-conscious and wore a lot of padded bras to enhance herself. Finally in her late 30s, she had surgery and got a perky set of Cs. When she was all healed, she posted pictures of her family vacation at the beach. She rocked her bikini, and I jokingly told her if she wasn't married and I wasn't straight, I would totally be into her boobs! That said when women start getting breasts so large that it is unnatural or dangerous, I fail to truly understand it! It is frankly gross to me! I guess to each their own though!! As for men, sure they might "dig it" in Playboy or something, but my husband has said that men don't take these women seriously. I can truly agree with that myself!! People stare but label the lady a "bimbo!"
The chapter on creams and other devices to enlarge breasts made me giggle too! I know women fall for it all the time, and in my teens and twenties I was simple too poor to fall for it myself! In my thirties and forties I know it to be a hoax! It was funny to read about the author's tour of a natural pharmacy that sold various supplements - the fact that the herbs were laid over stones with the words "prostrate," "menopause," and such to help those afflictions even though it was all the same herb was silly. Sure herbs can help but they are not going to make your breasts grow a cup size!
Funny, entertaining, and thoughtful look at something that makes all of us women "sisters."
November 30, 2013
Susan Seligson's subject matter needs no hype; it is itself the ultimate advertising tool. Few other body parts, if any, have been so politically and sexually charged throughout history. So instead of engaging in the kind of lurid, titillating sensationalism that might tempt other authors, she instead approaches her subject with a respectful, matter-of-fact, down-to-earth tone that allows both the poignancy and the frequent silliness of the topic shine through.
Her style and approach are brisk and accessible, interspersed with gleefully ironic juvenile moments. Seligson writes from an insider's perspective. She is not merely an observer; she knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of the stares. She treats the subject with loving, brutal frankness.
Stacked covers ambitious ground: gender identity, cultural standards of beauty, the paradox of male and female attitudes towards breasts, the moral, ethical and medical questions swirling around elective cosmetic surgery, equal rights, pornography and of course the tender issue of what comprises a normal healthy self-image. She skims over this familiar territory with surprising neutrality, exploring the characters she meets along the way in much more depth than she explores the underlying puzzles and competing arguments.
This is more of the story of a journey than an essay, which is refreshing. It does not attempt to be a comprehensive and scholarly survey of all the areas listed above. It simply relates how one woman has made peace with her body and the love-hate relationship she has with it -- and also what she has learned from the many, many others she has met as she sought out their input on something that we will never, ever get tired of looking at or reading about.
She mentions at one point that every man she ever told about this project asked the same question: "will there be pictures?" You are probably wondering the same thing. Short answer: no. Slightly longer answer: yes, there is a picture out there, and it led to a vicious and utterly uncalled-for uproar. The infantile cruelty, pointless "controversy" and ugly misogyny that swirled around that picture darkly illustrated the underlying paradox that makes the subject of Stacked so intriguing: our collectively conflicted attitude towards female beauty. Society punishes women for being too sexy, and also punishes women for not being sexy enough.
I recommend this book to anyone who would enjoy a lighthearted, slightly irreverent look at two things that will always be a source of endless fascination and limitless scandal -- from an intelligent, articulate and funny person who has to live with them every day of her life.
Her style and approach are brisk and accessible, interspersed with gleefully ironic juvenile moments. Seligson writes from an insider's perspective. She is not merely an observer; she knows what it's like to be on the receiving end of the stares. She treats the subject with loving, brutal frankness.
Stacked covers ambitious ground: gender identity, cultural standards of beauty, the paradox of male and female attitudes towards breasts, the moral, ethical and medical questions swirling around elective cosmetic surgery, equal rights, pornography and of course the tender issue of what comprises a normal healthy self-image. She skims over this familiar territory with surprising neutrality, exploring the characters she meets along the way in much more depth than she explores the underlying puzzles and competing arguments.
This is more of the story of a journey than an essay, which is refreshing. It does not attempt to be a comprehensive and scholarly survey of all the areas listed above. It simply relates how one woman has made peace with her body and the love-hate relationship she has with it -- and also what she has learned from the many, many others she has met as she sought out their input on something that we will never, ever get tired of looking at or reading about.
She mentions at one point that every man she ever told about this project asked the same question: "will there be pictures?" You are probably wondering the same thing. Short answer: no. Slightly longer answer: yes, there is a picture out there, and it led to a vicious and utterly uncalled-for uproar. The infantile cruelty, pointless "controversy" and ugly misogyny that swirled around that picture darkly illustrated the underlying paradox that makes the subject of Stacked so intriguing: our collectively conflicted attitude towards female beauty. Society punishes women for being too sexy, and also punishes women for not being sexy enough.
I recommend this book to anyone who would enjoy a lighthearted, slightly irreverent look at two things that will always be a source of endless fascination and limitless scandal -- from an intelligent, articulate and funny person who has to live with them every day of her life.
October 26, 2010
Written by a woman who is a 32DDD, this is an examination of practically every subject having to do with breasts, altho it isn't a long book. Men and women's fixation with them is not in question. Why? is the question she tries to answer, but there is no simple answer, of course.
It seems almost embarrassing to wish there were pictures in a book like this, but in this case it would have been helpful. Her sometimes long descriptions of people would have definitely proven "a picture is worth a thousand words".
Some of the chapters work better than others. The one on bra fitting was interesting, but the first few chapters of the book I can't even remember. The interview with the editor of Hustler was very good, the chapter about the porn star/stripper she never actually met, not so much. There's alot of talk about methods to increase bust size and a chapter on reduction. This is somewhat interesting, but hardly riveting. She doesn't delve too far into the psychological reasons some women want augmentation, but there is some of that. That could fill volumes. The graphic descriptions of surgeries are not too attractive, but probably necessary. Debunking all the non-surgical methods you can try to increase size is interesting. The chapter on crosser-dressers obsession with breasts, not as much. The author has a pretty good head on her shoulders (among other things) and doesn't take the whole thing too seriously. Probably a good idea.
The quote that'll probably stick with me from the book is one from a woman wanting implants: Patient: "I'm doing this for me"'
"Dr.: So if you were on a desert island, you'd still want them?",
Patient: Um... No."
It seems almost embarrassing to wish there were pictures in a book like this, but in this case it would have been helpful. Her sometimes long descriptions of people would have definitely proven "a picture is worth a thousand words".
Some of the chapters work better than others. The one on bra fitting was interesting, but the first few chapters of the book I can't even remember. The interview with the editor of Hustler was very good, the chapter about the porn star/stripper she never actually met, not so much. There's alot of talk about methods to increase bust size and a chapter on reduction. This is somewhat interesting, but hardly riveting. She doesn't delve too far into the psychological reasons some women want augmentation, but there is some of that. That could fill volumes. The graphic descriptions of surgeries are not too attractive, but probably necessary. Debunking all the non-surgical methods you can try to increase size is interesting. The chapter on crosser-dressers obsession with breasts, not as much. The author has a pretty good head on her shoulders (among other things) and doesn't take the whole thing too seriously. Probably a good idea.
The quote that'll probably stick with me from the book is one from a woman wanting implants: Patient: "I'm doing this for me"'
"Dr.: So if you were on a desert island, you'd still want them?",
Patient: Um... No."
August 8, 2013
I must admit that I found the subject of this book most enjoyable. In all reality what's not to like about this subject.
The experience was somewhat diminished by several factors. The first being the authors own infatuation with her own 32DDD's or as she learned GGG's something. She clearly likes her figure and the attention it can attract (fair enough), however then she proceeds to complain about getting looks or men who never make eye contact with her. It's a bit shall we say _itchy to only want certain men to look or only when she is in the mood to be looked at. On the plus side for her this issue will at least get smaller (men looking) with each passing year.
The second downfall was the focus on the outliers versus real women. Sorry, porn stars with basketball implants and transvestites are just to small a group to have taken up this much discussion space and at least in my mind detracted from what could have been real conversations with real women.
What I really did enjoy was the humor sprinkled throughout the book and the authors own topless photo shot in public New York. The New York topless photo shot was a masterpiece. I'm not a woman but her writing in this case gave me a very real perspective as to what the experience entailed and was like, a great piece of writing.
One can only hope her next book goes below the belt, another favorite subject of mine.
The experience was somewhat diminished by several factors. The first being the authors own infatuation with her own 32DDD's or as she learned GGG's something. She clearly likes her figure and the attention it can attract (fair enough), however then she proceeds to complain about getting looks or men who never make eye contact with her. It's a bit shall we say _itchy to only want certain men to look or only when she is in the mood to be looked at. On the plus side for her this issue will at least get smaller (men looking) with each passing year.
The second downfall was the focus on the outliers versus real women. Sorry, porn stars with basketball implants and transvestites are just to small a group to have taken up this much discussion space and at least in my mind detracted from what could have been real conversations with real women.
What I really did enjoy was the humor sprinkled throughout the book and the authors own topless photo shot in public New York. The New York topless photo shot was a masterpiece. I'm not a woman but her writing in this case gave me a very real perspective as to what the experience entailed and was like, a great piece of writing.
One can only hope her next book goes below the belt, another favorite subject of mine.
April 22, 2009
This book is a bit too tongue and cheeky for my taste, but after the first couple chapters does get into a good investigation of issues less goofy and more relevant like body image, hetero-male/cross-dressing/transgendered relationships to boobs, and commerce associated with playing on women's insecurities, such a body modifications/surgeries...
Its alright, its something of a memoir meets sociological journalism, not as prurient as the title would suggest.
I think it was a good survey of a topic I haven't seen written about exclusively anywhere else, so for that alone its worth checking out if you are interested.
Its alright, its something of a memoir meets sociological journalism, not as prurient as the title would suggest.
I think it was a good survey of a topic I haven't seen written about exclusively anywhere else, so for that alone its worth checking out if you are interested.
September 23, 2007
This was an interesting personal exploration of breast culture in the United States, from bra shopping to strip shows to surgeons' offices to artistic expression. It is written as a narrative of the author's experiences as she delves into the "breast-mania" of the US, and her personal comforts and discomforts come through in the text. For example, she spends much more time focusing on breast augmentation and casts it in a more positive light than breast reduction. However, I did appreciate how she addresses transgender issues and, overall, I found the book interesting and thought-provoking.
April 21, 2013
Interesting stories about, well, boobies and all subjects that touch them, such as bra manufacturing and sizing, pornographic movies, and breastfeeding, from a well-endowed writer (yes, I mean that both ways). There are a lot of good stories in here, as well as a confident voice to examine it all, but I guess I was expecting more humor. Also not a book to read straight through. I pick it up from time to time and still haven't finished it, if that means anything.
July 24, 2011
Entertaining journalism at its best: Seligson has a smart, wry tone that veers into the hilarious with her quirky humor, while delivering strong chapters built around in-depth interviews ranging from plastic surgeons to transvestites to bra saleswomen. No profound insights, but a grand tour indeed.
January 29, 2013
This is the most depressing book about boobs ever. The other thing that I didn't like about this book was that the author kept jumping from anecdote to anecdote with no real ending to the last one and barley a connection to the next one. Read this if you want to know just how unintentionally sad breasts can be.
December 18, 2007
When I saw the review of this one, I had to read it. Seligson writes a very readable account of a life with large breasts and it's a story that every woman can relate to and appreciate no matter your size and shape!
August 18, 2009
A fun book on tits, boobs, knockers, fun bags, dirty pillows, tatas, and melons. It's not quite as hardcore sciencey as I like my my dirty books (see O Intimate History of the Orgasm), but still got more substance than your average poolside read.
December 28, 2007
I'm not sure if Seligson says anything that original...I'd rather have titty talks with my friends than read about hers.
June 8, 2008
A look at the social impact of breasts, written from the perspective of a 32DDD.
January 5, 2009
Not a book I would have picked for myself, but I'm glad that a friend gave it to me for Christmas. Very well researched and an interesting read for any woman, whether she's "stacked" or not.
June 1, 2009
cute book! i could definitely relate to the author.
February 14, 2010
How could I resist a title like that? Entertaining, amusing, educational (at least for a guy), and a quick read.
Read
January 29, 2015Got about halfway through but got tired of the narrator's voice. I like the subject but was tired of the author's approach.
January 5, 2014
Really disappointing and repetitive. Good to hear about breast from a woman's point of view for a change tho.
September 9, 2018
Well-endowed female reporter examines the sources of so much hullabaloo. Shares her experiences to the point of exhaustion then interviews, plastic surgeon, dancers, woman that have had reduction, magazine editor, she poses, and concludes with cross dressers and their wives who anguish. Insightful, some swearing. NO PIX except for her B/W author photo at end.
July 10, 2007
An informal quasi study of boobs and their impact. Quick, fun read and gave me some good tips on proper bra wearage.
October 29, 2009
can i say that this was really between a 2 star and a star read for me. but i learned a lot and am ever more fond of being a woman and what genetics has give me.
Read
July 25, 20112009- A humorous look at ""boob culture"", each of the chapters in this book is like a short essay in itself.
April 11, 2015
kinda cute....
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews