S-M: The Last Taboo

by Gerald Greene, Caroline Greene

S-M illuminates the controversy over the practice of sadomasochism and its place in contemporary culture. The book addresses the role of women in S/M; American society and masochism; the true nature of the Marquis de Sade; spanking in various countries; undinism, more popularly known as "water sports"; and general S/M scenarios. An S/M bibliography ranging from the steamy works of Baudelaire to Pauline Reage's Story of O, is also included in this exploration of sexual fantasy across the ages.

Genres: BDSM

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Tristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband scavenged this amazing, 1974 copy, featuring a hand-drawn rose with bloody thorns. S-M is not my cup of tea, but this is quite an extensive collection of styles, philosophies and stories and I would imagine it's an important book for the library of any S-M "scholar." I also really appreciate that it was written by both a man and a woman, together, and both their voices and perspectives are heard quite clearly.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

The authors of this book - I am interpreting them as an adventurous and well-read pair of 70s swingers - glide easily between f-words and high literature in their cursory, breezy overview of the history and then current expression of S&M practices in the Western World. About a quarter of the book at the end is given over to chapter-length excerpts from books, memoirs, and plays with S&M themes.