Good Vibrations Guide to Sex: The Most Complete Sex Manual Ever Written

by Cathy Winks, Anne Semans, Phoebe Gloeckner (Illustrations)

For ALL readers--women and men, heterosexual or lesbian, gay, or bisexual--this candid, upbeat guide offers expert advice on all aspects of sexuality:

• How to talk about sex and keep your relationships sizzling
• Orgasms--G-spot, female ejaculation, and multiple orgasms for both men and women
• "If you want the job done right, do it yourself"--Expanded section on masturbation
• NEW! Sex Over a Lifetime--Growing up, coming out, pregnancy, parenting, midlife cycles, and aging
• NEW! Teens Sexual Bill of Rights
• Real stories--Hundreds of real people talk about real sex
• NEW! Dealing with disability, depression and other medical issues
• Fantasy--Favorite themes, games, and power play
• Comprehensive guide to erotica....in print, on screen, and on the internet
• NEW! Latest sex toy innovations from cyberskin to microchips
• Complete guide to vibrators, dildos, lubricants, and other sex gear, and how to introduce sex toys into your sexual repertoirr

Genres: Sexuality, Nonfiction, Relationships, Health, Self Help, Reference, Love

356 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok, i wrote this so, I gotta give it five stars.

[Blackbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently re-read this book because I wanted to give some sane and safe information to my kid. Hell, I needed the information for myself. This is a great, well written book. I chickened out on giving the whole book to my kid. In some ways I know that's wrong. But, I think it's better to learn about it from me at home... I use it as a reference book. It is terrific. Teaching your own kids about sex (and drugs) is complicated. Ick. Better for our children to be informed. Parents, do you think that they are not going to do it? I also re-read Changing Bodies Changing Lives and Our Bodies Ourselves. There has been a lot of eye rolling, teeth sucking and feigned disinterest from my kid. My mother never said anything to me about sex until I was 30 with kids. Even at that late date, I stilled rolled my eyes, looked disinterested and sucked my teeth, inaudibly. Better too late than never, I guess.

[Ken Poirier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be read by anyone who has ever in their life considered having sex.

[Yahn Nemirovsky · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book offers a nice survey of subjects that might be helpful to readers in considering how to feel and be empowered in their sex lives. A book of such wide-spanning topics must certainly be helpful to many, as one is likely to find at least a small section in here that they connect with. On the other hand, I feel that this book could improve immensely in a few areas, including discussion of body image, sexual anatomy, and the experiences of both trans and intersex people.

I find that the section on body image discusses fatphobia in a vague way. It fails to recognize the mass, systemic acceptance and proliferation of fatphobic ideas. The book focuses on learning to be accepting of one's own body, but could do more to address the issue of fatphobia itself.

The sections on sexual anatomy discuss "female" and "male" anatomy, with a small aside about intersex experience afterward. These descriptions could be anchored, framed, and worded differently. Discussion of the vulva could be called just that.

Too, this book names all of intersex experience as a "condition," which is disturbingly off. Intersex folks can and do self-identity their experience as they will, but this book should not have tried to do that on others' behalf.

One more thing! In the first chapter of the book, the word "transgendered" is used! It's trans or it's transgender, that's it. It's obvious that the others needed to do more work and pay people who knew what they were talking about in order to keep their book at least somewhat inclusive. Where's the sex info for trans folks? It currently sits at a disappointing ~cisnormative~ for me.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I'd say that this book was fabulous! It talked about sexuality in a way that included everybody...people with different sexual orientations, people of color, and people of all ages. It also had a lot of really great info about safe sex mixed in there as well. I would describe the book as being a sexuality text book...it was kind of long and I often skimmed through sections. Since I read the 2nd edition and not the 3rd, the info on sex and technology was a bit out dated...so I would recommend reading the 3rd edition if you are particularly interested in that info. It's a really great guide though for people who don't know all the ins and outs to sexuality...pun intended!

[wixlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sold a great many copies of this book when I was a purveyor of fine personal massage units, flavored personal lubricants, and other things with 'personal' as the principal euphemism in their titles. This is a fantastic, informative, and non-judgmental guide to the potential pleasures of the human body, your own or that of others. I'm pretty sure that I read a previous edition, because the last time I picked up a copy at a bookstore, there was a whole section on cybersex that I'd never seen. 01101000 01101111 01110100 00100001

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I browsed through this book at the bookstore, it certainly lived up to its subtitle. So I bought it (after much thought.

Like many adults past, oh 25 or so, I think I know all I need or want to know about sex--but I don't. For one thing, we change as we get older (and not just the wonderful menopausal changes).

So far, I'm finding the following: The writing is friendly, positive, and humorous without being salacious; inclusive of all sexual interests and physical stages or abilities; and just detailed enough. Illustrations are for the most part detailed, clear, and don't elicit "squickiness" in the reader (though I admit I'm clinical-minded and somewhat immune to shock about explicit sexual images (thanks to having been a public librarian in the post-Internet, pre-filtering days!)

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best sex manual I've ever read. I HIGHLY recommend it for its inclusiveness regarding sexuality, orientation, and gender. This is a fantastic sex-positive feminist work on comprehensive and healthy ways to express "sex" in all of its meanings. It breaks down oppressive Victorian sexual orthodoxy and dares the reader to contemplate how we sexually interact and understand human desires in a more holistic fashion.

[Kristina Kopnisky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book. In my opinion it should be handed to every person when they reach the age of consent in their country. I would say it should be a required sex ed text in schools but some of it may toe the line of pornography. This is not an in depth guide. It is an amazing survey and basic how to manual that will serve as a springboard into a healthy and fulfilling sex life for anyone regardless of who they are attracted to.

[SallyRose Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. It was well balanced compared to The Joy of Sex. It is inclusive of all types of relationships and informative.

I would suggested it to people looking for information when trying to explore their sexuality. It is a easy way to explore ideas without being insulting or condescending.

[HeavyReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best sex guide I have ever read!

Highly recommended!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Damn Sex Encyclopedia

[Emilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

the most enjoyable non-fiction book i've ever read about sex. it's just a bummer it's too big to take on public transportation.

[Kc Pines · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a darling little book! For the curious teen all the way to an experienced vixen, this book really addresses a wonderfully wide range of sexual health topics, and it does so with a casual, optimistic voice. For those who'd just like to learn a few more (pardon the pun) ins and outs of sex, this is a great piece to just pick up and thumb through.

Personally, I feel that this book would be an EXCELLENT source for 15-18 year olds who, let's be honest, are probably more ready to bang than a troop of taiko drummers. It speaks to the reader on a peer-to-peer level, and it doesn't shy away from sensitive topics like gender, asexuality, abuse, and even fantasies.

It's a great read for the price, and just a ton of fun to leaf through when I'm antsy but not ready to read an entire novella.

[Dmitry · Rating 2 out of 5]

По сути, точно такая же книга как и The Ultimate Guide to Cunnilingus и Ultimate Guide to Fellatio by Violet Blue. Т.е. это аналог журнальной статьи, но отличает эту книгу от двух вышеупомянутых только большее количество рассматриваемых тем.
Это обычный сборник статей/подкастов/видеороликов с YouTube. Только очень и очень обширный.

In fact, the book is exactly the same as "The Ultimate Guide to Cunnilingus" and "Ultimate Guide to Fellatio" by Violet Blue. That is, it is an analogue of magazine articles, but distinguishes this book from the two above only a greater number of topics.
It is a standard collection of articles /podcasts /videos from YouTube. Only a very, very extensive series.

[Michael Wingler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shoutout to my favorite women for writing a guide on women. This book covers everything, from anatomy and pleasure to communication and kink, with clarity, humor, and zero judgment. It’s comprehensive without being overwhelming, inclusive without being preachy, and it’s sex-positive in the best possible way.

I can see why Amy Bloom suggested buying copies for partners, friends, and even parents… but let’s just say I’m not quite there yet.

4/5 — solid info, great tone, and the sketch illustrations are a nice touch. This book is a requirement. I only wish it wasn’t so bulky. Studying is nice, but a good blindfold could turn every exam into an open book.

[Genevieve Dupont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read with illustrations that are diverse in gender, age, and sexual orientation.

This book should be mandatory in high schools.

[Radiolab]

Radiolab asked listeners for their sex ed recommendations.

Alison, a Radiolab listener, says, "It presents accurate, inclusive information about a wide variety of sex and sexual health-related topics. It was kind of my sex bible."

[Dhaval]

great

[K Kriesel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent guide to sex for everyone, very basic and simple.

[Aziza Kibibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and clearly stated. A great accompaniment when talking to your teenager about the birds and the bees.