Naked At Lunch: The Adventures of a Reluctant Nudist

by Mark Haskell Smith

Naked at Lunch is one man's cracklingly witty, compellingly odd and oddly life-affirming journey into the subculture of nudism. Celebrated journalist Mark Haskell Smith meets, and indeed joins, those shucking off social conventions by shucking off their clothes - he hikes bareback in the Alps with a naked rambler's society, he buys baguettes in the buff in a French resort and he meets the marginally dressed mayor of a Spanish clothes-optional municipality. But this is not just a book of naked adventures and sun-ripened genitals. It is a study of 20th-century Western cultural and social mores; a record of radical history and politics practised by those made radical by their refusal to get dressed; a heartfelt celebration of the simple joys of being alive; and a full-blooded war cry for reclaiming pride in our bodies and rejecting those who would make us ashamed.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Memoir, Travel, Psychology, Sociology, Journalism

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Mark Haskell Smith is the author of seven novels with one word titles, most recently Blown and Memoires, and three nonfiction books including Rude Talk in Athens and Naked at Lunch.

He lives in Los Angeles. He likes Mexican food.

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 So much more than one would think from the title. Needed something amusing and some of the scenes, though racy at times, were just laugh at loud funny. The history of the non clothing movement, so far back it went and I never had a clue. They even tried to start a clothing optional movement during prohibition and the depression. Guess they had to find fun somewhere.

His writing style is easy, alternating between humorous and serious as he finds out that maybe people do not have more fun at many of these nudist resorts and that many in this lifestyle are actually senior citizens. So fun and informative but the lifestyle not for me.

ARC from Net Galley.

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!!!! Marvelous!!!! Brave & Bold!!!!! LOTS of Laughter!!!! FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!

And.....
Surprising Serious thought-provking intelligent-well-researched -entertaining book about non-sexualized social nudity.

What is the attraction? Read it! keep and open mind! Its absolutely fascinating!

This is a daringly different type of travel book: fabulous places he visits: filled with comic encounters - vivid characters -conversational interviews - loaded with amusing - touching- clothing-optional adventures in the United States and Europe!

As we read Mark's book -- we are trying to figure out (such as Mark is doing), why our society has this idea that the naked body is offensive? Great discussion book!!! Do we really want to send people to prison for skinny dipping?

I am in 'aw' of what Mark Haskell did --even 'before' he wrote this book. Can you imagine being married --(having never had ANY experience with public nudity) --then saying good-bye -to your wife for three months to take your clothes off and hang out with other naked people?
Mark's wife is my hero!
When Mark first ask his wife to join him at a Clothing Optional resort (for research purpose) --she said "NO F**king WAY! (I laughed so hard!!!). She didn't mind that Mark went! High-Five-for Mark's wife! Awesome trust!!!

Months later, Mark's wife 'did' join him on the Naked Cruise vacation!

Thank you to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley!

Thank you Mark Haskell Smith! LOVED-loved-loved your book! Thanks for writing it!














Reading Progress
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Copy/paste the text below into your blog. Naked at Lunch by Mark Haskell Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hilarious!!!! Marvelous!!!! Brave & Bold!!!!! LOTS of Laughter!!!! FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!

And.....
Surprising Serious thought-provking intelligent-well-researched -entertaining book about non-sexualized social nudity.

What is the attraction? Read it! keep and open mind! Its absolutely fascinating!

This is a daringly different type of travel book: fabulous places he visits: filled with comic encounters - vivid characters -conversational interviews - loaded with amusing - touching- clothing-optional adventures in the United States and Europe!

As we read Mark's book -- we are trying to figure out (such as Mark is doing), why our society has this idea that the naked body is offensive? Great discussion book!!! Do we really want to send people to prison for skinny dipping?

I am in 'aw' of what Mark Haskell did --even 'before' he wrote this book. Can you imagine being married --(having never had ANY experience with public nudity) --then saying good-bye -to your wife for three months to take your clothes off and hang out with other naked people?
Mark's wife is my hero!
When Mark first ask his wife to join him at a Clothing Optional resort (for research purpose) --she said "NO F**king WAY! (I laughed so hard!!!). She didn't mind that Mark went! High-Five-for Mark's wife! Awesome trust!!!

Months later, Mark's wife 'did' join him on the Naked Cruise vacation!

Thank you to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley!

Thank you Mark Haskell Smith! LOVED-loved-loved your book! Thanks for writing it!

[Esil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mentioned to my husband that I was reading a book about nudism and that I was really enjoying it and his response was "I didn't know that's something you're interested in." I paused for a minute and thought and then said "I'm not interested in nudism, but this guy makes it interesting." The reality is that I enjoyed Naked at Lunch because of the way Smith approaches the topic and makes it entertaining and interesting. Smith sets off to figure out why some people enjoy doing pretty much everything in the nude. In the process, he talks about the history of nudism, recounts his own experiences in various nudist environments including a hike in the Alps, compares different cultural reactions to nudism, and peppers his book with his own varyingly clever, funny, self-deprecating, astute and political observations and anecdotes. I get the sense that he could write about pretty anything and make it interesting -- a bit like Bill Bryson. One note of caution: don't read Naked at Lunch if you are just looking for a funny book that mocks nudism and nudists. It's not all funny -- there's a lot of research and interesting information. And it's certainly not mocking -- while Smith does not become a convert, he writes about the people he meets with good humour but sympathy too. At some level, he ends up making the societal obsession with always being properly covered up in public seem uptight and obsessive -- and he certainly comes down against North American laws against public nudity. He also observes on a number of occasions that nudism is a great counterpoint to body image obsession -- getting past the self-consciousness of taking it all off and being around bodies of all shapes and sizes puts to rest the norms foisted on us by popular culture. That said, Naked at Lunch did not spark any interest in nudism for me -- but it made for an interesting read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where is my review? lol

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t find my review this book but I know I wrote one because I thought it was absolutely wonderful… Informative and hilarious!!!!

It’s $1.99 Kindle download special today.
Sooo much fun!!!!
I loved it and recommend it!!!



Merged review:

Hilarious!!!! Marvelous!!!! Brave & Bold!!!!! LOTS of Laughter!!!! FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!

And.....
Surprising Serious thought-provking intelligent-well-researched -entertaining book about non-sexualized social nudity.

What is the attraction? Read it! keep and open mind! Its absolutely fascinating!

This is a daringly different type of travel book: fabulous places he visits: filled with comic encounters - vivid characters -conversational interviews - loaded with amusing - touching- clothing-optional adventures in the United States and Europe!

As we read Mark's book -- we are trying to figure out (such as Mark is doing), why our society has this idea that the naked body is offensive? Great discussion book!!! Do we really want to send people to prison for skinny dipping?

I am in 'aw' of what Mark Haskell did --even 'before' he wrote this book. Can you imagine being married --(having never had ANY experience with public nudity) --then saying good-bye -to your wife for three months to take your clothes off and hang out with other naked people?
Mark's wife is my hero!
When Mark first ask his wife to join him at a Clothing Optional resort (for research purpose) --she said "NO F**king WAY! (I laughed so hard!!!). She didn't mind that Mark went! High-Five-for Mark's wife! Awesome trust!!!

Months later, Mark's wife 'did' join him on the Naked Cruise vacation!

Thank you to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley!

Thank you Mark Haskell Smith! LOVED-loved-loved your book! Thanks for writing it!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book I've read from Mark Haskell Smith that I have really enjoyed. I love Mr. Smith's funny and engaging personality. I loved being a part of his various visits to different types of nudist gatherings. AND I learned something too...scrotum skin is easily burned. Who knew?!

[Senf Dazu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein wahrhaft inspirierendes Lesevergnügen. Mit vielen Einblicken in die "organisierte, nichtsexuelle gemeinschaftliche Nacktheit", mit historischen und politischen Hintergründen und interessanten Interviews. Ganz davon abgesehen, dass der unverkrampfte und humorvolle Erzählstil absolut großartig ist. Genau mein Geschmack.
Ein Sachbuch, das einem die Angst vor Sachbüchern nehmen kann/wird.
Auch wenn man mit Nudismus oder Naturismus so gar nix am Hut hat.

Absolute Empfehlung mit 4,5 von 5 Nakedeis 😋

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naked at Lunch is part travelogue, part introspective memoir, and part sociological look at American culture, European culture and the concept of nudism/nudity/naturism. It's also very funny.

I thoroughly enjoyed it! Haskell Smith is a very funny writer and he brings a keen eye and a sly wit to his writing - a wink - that is quite enjoyable. He has the same thoughts and concerns that anyone would have when at a nudist resort for the first time, but he comes across as open-minded, genuine, curious and humorous about the whole situation.

From hiking naked in the Alps, to a naked cruise in the Caribbean, to resorts, beaches, and European nude enclaves (complete with swingers clubs) he tries it all (although not the swinging).

I really enjoyed his interviews with various academics on European views of sexuality (English vs. Italian), the history of puritanism in America, the idea of sexuality and nudity and how we have connected them in society, and more. I also really appreciated his discussion of a few court cases in the U.S. regarding 'public indecency' laws and how they are applied differently in every state, county, state park and jurisdiction. He also highlighted well the double standard between men and women going topless - how one is ok, and the other sexualized. He also tackled the issue of how public indecency laws are based on the view of the person writing the ticket, and not the original person's reasons for being naked. E.G. if I simply want to walk on the beach naked, without any sexual component, but a park ranger sees me and thinks of sex, then that would be grounds for a ticket for public indecency - it's based on someone else's perception of what a naked body represents, and not the intention of the nudist.

In fact, after all that - I would have really loved to read more about all that - and less about Mark's travels around various nude beaches. I was pro-nude beaches and non-sexual social nudity before I read this, and I still am after having finished it. In fact, I might be ever more pro-'whatever floats your boat' now.

Overall, though, this was a fantastic read! Quick, fun, witty, interesting - and sure to spark some great conversations with anyone who sees you reading it. ;)

With thanks to Grove Press/Atlantic for the advance reading copy!

[Craig Pittman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction book offering the naked truth about nudism by novelist Mark Haskell Smith is a light-hearted but insightful look at an verrrrrrrrrrrrrry alternative lifestyle in all its iterations. To his credit, Smith doesn't just travel the globe and interview nudists and naturists and swingers and fetishists. He frequently shucks his drawers and joins in to see what it's like (hence the subtitle). That first-hand reportage -- like he's the George Plimpton of nakedness -- is what really makes the book work.

I was interested in reading this book for two reasons: 1. Florida has a LOT of nudist resorts; and 2. I was on a panel at the LA Times Book Festival with Smith, who was bright and engaging and quite funny talking about his experiences reporting the book. Hearing him talking about how he put on so much sunscreen the first time that he was as reflective as a disco ball is still superior to reading that in the book. But the book was fun too.

Smith delves into the history of nudism (and its ties to to the rise of fascism in Germany) as well as how it's spread. He also looks at what its future might be, as younger people seem to be abandoning the old nudist resorts and instead going for nude experiences that are less organized. He goes on a nude Alpine hike and, best of all, a nude Caribbean cruise (and finally convinces his wife to accompany him, which makes for a real highlight). He even visits a French conclave where the naturists rule the beaches by day and the swingers come out to party at night. There's not an aspect of nudism that he doesn't (ahem) touch on, and often he does so with some witty aphorism or observation.

I do wish the book were a little better organized. There was one chapter, an interview with an author who grew up mortified about living in a nudist-leaning household, that I thought could have been omitted or woven into another chapter. And there's only so many times you can read the phrase "non-sexual social nudism" without wishing he'd invented a shorter term or used an abbreviation.

The bottom line, though, is that reading this book is the next best thing to being actually naked.

[Chris - Quarter Press Editor · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much to love here, as is often the case with Smith's work. This book is funny, philosophical, informative, and raises some questions about ourselves and culture that should be discussed in full. And isn't that what we want out of a non-fiction book?

Much as I've enjoyed Smith's novels, I've loved his non-fiction. Both with this and his earlier book, HEART OF DANKNESS, a look into the counterculture surrounding cannabis, he strikes a perfect balance of his wry humor and exploration of many things that a large percentage of people might find offensive. Here, though, as with HoD, the non-fiction elements help dial back and put the "offensive" material into context in a way that anyone can enjoy. And in that space, Smith isn't afraid to ask questions that many of us try to ignore, and he's honest enough to ask them of himself--and to share his findings. Such honesty is a rare thing, and one that fits the themes and philosophies of this novel extremely well.

I've been curious about nudism / naturism in the way that most of us are: We've heard of it, but we don't take the time to find anything out about it. So it is wonderful to have someone so talented take that plunge and actually do the research for you. By the end, I feel much more informed about the culture and want to know more--since as in depth as Smith goes, there's only so much that can be covered in the span of 300 pages. What's here, though, is great, as Smith examines many facets that involve or are influenced by nudism, our bodies, and our fear of other's bodies--from the legal standpoints to fashion to various movements and organizations to the philosophies behind the naturist lifestyle.

By the end, I wouldn't mind giving it a shot, baring all in a nonsexual, nudist community--especially that of the nude hiking. And if such a novel could convince me of wanting to give such a "taboo" subject a shot, well, then Smith must have done a damn fine job in covering this topic*.

*Spoiler Alert: He did.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Naked at Lunch Rules
1. Nudism is encouraged.
2. Photography is NOT permitted.
3. Sit on a towel.
 
Whether it's a book about marijuana or nudists, John Haskell Smith takes his research very seriously and inserts himself into the lifestyle. Near the beginning of Naked At Lunch, Smith includes a comment his wife makes about his decision to write a book on nudism and it's culture:
 
"First you're stoned all the time and now you're going to be naked? Why can't you write a book about cheese? You like cheese."
 
Have you ever wondered how awkward it would be to visit a nudist resort and sit there naked with a bunch of other naked people? I can honestly say I have wondered how the people there feel comfortable enough to bare it all and strut their stuff.
 
This book is hilarious. The adventures the author experienced are funny, but the snarky way he writes about them takes it to a whole other level. 
 
Buy on Amazon 
 

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the hell...I'm givin' it 4 stars. Why? Well, I enjoyed reading it. It barely lagged. It was funny and interesting. The only thing that bugged me was occasionally when he'd cite some foreign work and then he'd translate the title like we couldn't figure it out for pete's sake. But other than that it was highly interesting to get an insight into the nudist world. Although by the end he was just a little too much on their side politically. I have to say that I totally side with those who want to ban things like people walking down the street naked. I mean, come on! But otherwise...I totally want to take one of those nude hikes!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know how sometimes you see a book and think, "I gotta know what this is about"? That's the way this book was for me. The title hooked me right away. I didn't really expect to read the whole thing cover to cover; I thought I'd flip through a few chapters and learn something about nudists, a group of people I didn't even realise I was curious about before that very second. But the author's understated and self-deprecating sense of humour kept me turning page after page. I saw that another reviewer compared Smith's sense of humour with Bill Bryson's and I thought the comparison was apt.

Mark Haskell Smith has a thing for subcultures. He's studied several of them. And one day he got the penchant to learn a little bit more about nudists and to write about his experiences. He did quite a bit of research into who started the whole nudist thing (the Greeks, at least for Westerners), who revived it (the post-war Germans, surprisingly) and who's doing it today (mostly retirees, which was also a surprise). But the best chapters are the ones where Smith goes undercover and becomes a nudist (or a "naturist", as opposed to a "textile") himself. I can't possibly do justice to his experiences or his writing by summing things up. Suffice it to say that I laughed out loud many, many times in a public place. And when the stranger sitting next to me on the train glanced briefly at my Kindle to see what was so funny, I looked at the words he could see on the screen and didn't know how to explain to him that the book I was reading wasn't dirty or pornographic.

Note for my conservative friends: read at your own risk. Although I felt like the subject was handled tastefully and the author's many jokes didn't cross the line (and I'm a prude), there are quite a few euphemisms and slang terms for genitalia as well as some other vulgar language, not to mention the subject matter itself. My less conservative friends--I think you'd all enjoy this.

[Biblio Files (takingadayoff) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A recent review of this book in the Literary Review noted that in the U.S. Naked at Lunch is categorized as Social Science, but in Britain it is shelved in the Travel section. I don't know which of these is a better classification, but since I couldn't stop laughing while reading it, perhaps the humor section is the place for it.

Mark Haskell Smith is a 50-ish journalist who dips his toe in the world of nudism to see what it's all about. As the investigation proceeds, he becomes increasingly comfortable with being publicly naked and tries a variety of nudist resorts, camps, cruises, and hiking clubs. He bones up (*sorry*) on the history of nudism and notes that it is an international phenomenon.

As a middle-aged family man, Smith (or is it Haskell Smith?) does the responsible thing by visiting his dermatologist before exposing his everything to the sun. She recommends sunscreen at all times on all surfaces. Smith heeds her advice, making his nudist debut in a gleaming coat of SPF50 that attracts more attention than he might have wished.

By the time he's at the end of his book, Smith has become quite comfortable with nudism, and we readers, whether fully clothed or not, have a pretty good understanding of the experience.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a runner and every year I try to do at least one fun race. Some years it's an obstacle course race like the Warrior Dash or Tough Mudder. Other years it's a food race like the Kripsy Creme Challenge. I've ran up a skyscraper and canoed up river looking for checkpoints.

Last year I ran a clothing optional 5K. Why? Like I said, I try to do a fun race every year and running through the woods naked sounded fun. And you know what it really is! And completely surreal! You haven't lived until you've bust out of the woods at a full sprint, naked as a jaybird, with a crowd of naked spectators cheering you on.

So when I was listening to BookRiot's All the Books podcast (which discusses each week's new releases) and heard about this book I knew I had to check it out. The book covers Smith's investigation into the world of the nudist. He goes on nude hikes, cruises, beaches, and resorts while also covering the history of nudists. And wouldn't you know it, by the end Smith comes to the same two conclusions I did. 1.) Feeling the wind and sun on your bareskin feels awesome and it's fun 2.)There is nothing less sexy than a nudist event. So c'mon America! Put away the body image issues and the clothes. It's summer! Time for skinny dippin!

[Mark Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really entertaining and witty look at the world of the nudist. The author travels around the globe and meets a varying collection of those of us on the planet who feel their most comfortable, sans clothing. What I enjoyed most about the book was how the subject was approached. Nobody laughs at the idea and actually sympathises and eventually understands how some stray from what is perceived as 'the norm'. I really enjoyed it and was especially satisfied with the authors sense of respect and willingness to join in, where many other people who report about this subject shudder at the thought of doing anything apart from what is expected from society. In the grand schemes of things, there is far much more in the world to be either worried, scared or offended about.

[Will Mayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is simply a beautiful book exploring the wild and wonderful world of nudism from nude hiking to nude cruises to nude fashion design (yeah, seems like a contradiction in terms, but if you think about it, much of the fashion business is built on the shape and form and function and, yes, curves of the human body, so, hey, it makes sense) to even an entire city built to be lived in the altogether. Simply a wonderful book, I loved every page. I give it five stars.

[gemsbooknook Geramie Kate Barker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won this Through Goodreads First Read.
Wasn't sure I was going to like this book. Am pleased to admit I was wrong. Funny, insightful and beautifully written. Had many laugh out loud moments. Won't be taking my clothes off anytime soon but will definitely recommend this book to everyone I know.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author of this book did a great job explaining what it is like to be at a nudist resort or activity and to take part even if it is something that you thought that you'd never do.

"There's a refreshing honesty to shopping naked.  In the textile world, people always check each other out, imagining what the other person might look like naked -- don't be coy, you know you do -- but when you can clearly see the breasts of the woman next to you or the penis of the man standing behind you -- in fact, when all around you are bare breasts and dangling penises and buttocks and bodies -- well, a lot of the puerile fantasy that is commonplace in our society just disappears."

Buttocks Not Burkas! should be the new battle cry.

He talks about different societies' takes on indecency laws.  Here's the situation in a lot of the U.S.

"So, essentially, if some random dude, like a park ranger, finds your breasts erotic in some way, then it's your responsibility to cover them.  It's no longer your decision, but the dirty mind of a stranger, that decides if you're indecently exposed or not."

He discusses the history of different nudist movements.  It was big in Germany between the World Wars.

"Hermann Goring declared that nudism 'destroys women's natural feeling of shame, and causes men to lose respect for women, thereby destroying the basis for any real culture.'  Is he saying that real culture comes from women living in shame?  What does that even mean?"

I learned a lot from this book.  I feel like I can drop interesting factoids about nudism into conversation now.  I like that after reading a nonfiction book.  However, I do still have a few questions.
How are you not fried to a crisp?
This one was discussed.  He was very worried about sunblock.  I'm a burner.  Just going to the beach requires spackling on huge amounts of sunblock.  When I come out of the water I tend to lay with towels over me as a physical barrier to the deadly sun.  I still burn.
What about chafing?
There is a section on naked hiking in the Alps.  I don't like wearing a skirt without bike shorts underneath because my legs touch.  How are people hiking naked?  I went to their website for purely research purposes and checked out the pictures.  Maybe I'm just fatter than everyone else but that has to be an issue.  Do you just put on a lot of Body Glide and hope for the best?
Ladies, isn't playing sports painful?
I like quite a bit of scaffolding in the chest so my bits aren't flopping all over and getting in the way.  Are other people's body parts just better behaved than mine?
Why are there no men at the Outdoor Co-ed Topless Pulp Fiction Appreciation Society?
Yes, there is a topless book club in New York City.  They have a webpage.  They look like they are having a great time with lots of activities.
Are you all just preparing for the destruction of Earth?
Everywhere you go in these events you are reminded to always have a towel with you to sit on.  Am I the only one who thinks immediately of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy's command to always carry a towel with you in case you need to hitch a ride off a planet?  Coincidence?



 

"So what if people want to go skinny-dipping at the beach?  If it really bothers you, maybe you need to take a long look at yourself and figure out why it bothers you."

Have you ever been to a social nudist event?  Would you go?
 This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much more than I thought it would be. I found the book to be very well researched and informative.

[D.H. Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this on a trip, and it was interesting to hear the author's descriptions of at least one place I've been to. Overall, it was a fun read even if I already did know the names of most of the people mentioned.

[Martin Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book about a journalists' real experience of naturism and joining the world of nude beaches, cruises, holidays, hiking and just about everything else you can enjoy these days while clothes free. Witty, interesting, serious and hilarious it sums up western cultures obsession with nudity and ironically at the same time it's hatred of nudity and intolerance to anyone who simply wants to enjoy a beach or the sun with no clothes on. A fantastic read both for naturists and textiles.

Nothing sums up the book better than this quote from page 296:
"Are we that immature (that we can't deal with nudity) If so we need to grow the fuck up. Accept that humans are sexual animals, that we're born with bodies, that we all look basically the same. Even the hottest young buck strutting on Black's beach has the same body as the seventy five year old grandpa sunbathing on the Big Nude Boat; the only difference is time and perhaps, the tolls taken by a sedentary lifestyle and a taste for fried food.

Society needs to come to terms with the fact that some of us like pleasurable pursuits. A person shouldn't feel guilt or shame for being naked any more than someone should feel guilt or shame for enjoying a ripe peach. So what if people want to go skinny-dipping at the beach? If it really bothers you, maybe you need to take a long look at yourself and figure out why it bothers you. Just because you're offended doesn't give you the right to keep someone from enjoying their own body and the environment. Two things we all share. Two things that are free of charge".

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5stars
it is a very interesting book, which i definitely recommend reading!
it is a mixture between light-hearted funny travel writing and research & fact of nudism (history, politics etc).
i am not a nudist myself and didn't have an interest in this topic at all. in fact, i wasn't even aware of there being such a thing. i'm german so obviously i know about skinny-dipping and do it myself occasionally and i have also heard about nudist camping, but i wasn't aware that there are organisations and even an own industry around it (which is interesting to know about, so another reason to read this book). i only bought the book, because i saw it in a bargain box and thought it would be a funny read (which it is).
i recommed this book for everyone - regardless of whether or not you are for or against nudism. i learnt a lot reading it - nudism is not as superficial as it seems (another reason to read it).
the book also conveys a great sense of how and why humans should show respect for one another - and that's irrespective of whether or not the person is nude or not.
thinking about it convinces me to add it to my favourites' shelf.
so read it! it definitely broadens your mind and is easy to read.

[Megargee · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the spirit of participatory journalists and investigative reporters such as the late George Plimpton and Mary Roach, Mark Smith explores the world of nonsexual social nudity, past and present, in the US and Europe. To get to the bottom of naturopathic activities, Smith had to have skin in the game, so with his wife's blessing he dropped his inhibitions and his shorts to get the bare facts by staying at clothing optional ("antitextile") camps and resorts, sailing on a week long "Bare Necessities" Holland America Caribbean cruise, and engaging in a rugged but naked mountain hike in Austria. In describing the many varied and interesting characters he meets, Smith, lets it all hang out in a frank but amusing style. In between these adventures, Smith discusses the history of various nudist movements, explores naturistic philosophy, and muses on why society criminalizes enjoyable activities that do not harm, although they may offend, others.

[Diogenes · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this author's delightful novels (Moist, Baked, Salty and Delicious), I was anxious to see if his wicked sense of humor would emerge in this non-fiction tome. Rest assured: it does.
This is an educated travel guide, a history of the subject, a philosophical examination of the mores concerning nudism and a very funny take on the odd things people think and do. Unless you're a recent graduate of Bob Jones University, it's a lark.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating...hilarious...another great read! Oh, and while I'm sure it would have been a fine book, I'm glad it wasn't about cheese! Thanks, Mark Haskell Smith!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not only very entertaining, but will make us take an honest look at body image. He brings to light our social insecurities, but does it with a great sense of humor!

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I mean.... I’m years late on this review (and a buck naked short), but here’s what I can tell you. Smith’s got the goods (ew, don’t go reading into that!) bc he’s a great writer. He’s honest about the journey he went on exploring this book and the best writers go out of their comfort zones. I think it’s fair to say showing your goodies to 100s of strangers qualifies as that.

It’s weird, it’s different, but then, so am I.

I recommend giving it a try (the book, not the nudity, at least not in the supermarket) - and maybe you’ll learn something like I did about the history and movement behind it.... (see what I did there with behind it?! - ok ok, I’ll stop bc everything coming out (that was innocuous) sounds wrong.

Give it a try. It’s some of the most fun you can have with your pants on... or off...

[Jon Koebrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read a couple of Mark Smith’s fiction books and found his sense of humor to be fantastic. I discovered this book when looking for more fun fiction and thought it was an enticing topic and one sure way to get a better feel for this author personally. There are quite a few humorous moments, I did get a better measure of the man, and found the book to be incredibly informative and thoughtful. I don’t see nudism in my future but it did raise a lot of interesting questions about why being nude is such an issue. 3 stars.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hilarious and thoroughly entertaining tale of the author's foray into nudism, both figuratively and physically. This was enjoyable from start to finish as Smith gets out of his comfort zone and explores various aspects of the naturist movement. Not only does he provide great research on the history of the movement which was much more extensive then I think most are aware (I certainly wasn't), he also dabbles in various naturalist activities which provide a wide breath of tales and experiences. Clothing-optional beaches, nudist enclosed-communities, naturalist alpine hiking, and textile-free cruises were all explored in depth. A very different type of travelogue, I thoroughly loved Smith's live and let live attitude as he admits he never did anything more than the occasional skinny-dipping before he researched this book and soon he found himself part of a group trudging up hiking trails in Europe with nothing more than sunscreen, hiking boots and a hat, finding, to his surprise, he enjoyed it. There was great care to explore the non-sexual component of nudism and how it is often more about just being comfortable in one's body, regardless of shape and size. While I don't think I'll sign up for the next All-Nude Cruise having read this novel, I do think I gained an increased respect and tolerance for those who opt to do so and should be able to do so without condescension or judgment. No pun intended, but this is a great summer beach read and I'm sure other readers will also laugh out loud occasionally just as I did - I was sold as soon as I saw the book's cover (and it's backside, literally)!