Porn Nation: The Naked Truth

by Michael Leahy

Pornograpy and sex-related sites make up nearly 60 percent of daily web traffic. For some of us, it's going on in our very own basements or in the den after the family goes to bed. Over twenty million Americans spend a good deal of their waking hours looking at pornography. And they won't stop, because they can't stop. At least not on their own. They are addicted. Porn Nation captivates readers with the true story of Michael Leahy, a sex addict who only came to terms with his problem after losing his marriage and children. But it's also the story of the rest of us. It's the story of America- our porn nation. How is it affecting us? How is it changing the way we see ourselves and others? And what can be done about it?

Genres: Nonfiction, Sexuality, Christian, Counselling

180 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2008

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so appreciated his humility and honesty. It’s disheartening where our country is headed. I’d love to watch one of his debates.

[J.S. Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Leahy's semi-autobiography on porn addiction is a revealing work, blending his own story with the wider scope of a global porn pandemic. He delves most heavily into his own mistakes with explicit detail, while spending the rest of his work on statistics and Jesus. It makes for an uneven yet sympathetic journey.

Leahy is not shy about his own former self: he was a cruel, manipulative, sex-obsessed, pathological liar with enough issues to describe five people. At times this makes him highly unlikeable, and it really wasn't until the end when he asks for forgiveness from the least likely person that we see a real change. This bold honesty of his own poor choices is jarring enough to force us to examine ourselves as well. Without excuses.

I wish Leahy had spent more time on the physiological aspect of porn addiction, as he offers some great insight in ways that Craig Gross and Stephen Arterburn cannot. Leahy knows exactly what it is to hit rock bottom, and to read how his mind worked is fascinating and helpful. Had the book been only about his addiction, it would've made an excellent read.

The spiritual aspect of the book enters gently and is never preachy. The Christian readers might find it too light or ambiguous, but I think Leahy was very sensitive in conveying the tender growth of his own faith. He admits he is still learning. Some of his hesitance may just be humility.

A warning: recovering sex addicts struggling with this issue are advised to think twice about reading unless they have initiated some recovery. The book (of course) does contain some details that may trigger you.

This is a good work that could have been more complete and deserves an update or sequel. I'm curious to see Leahy's progress with his marriage, his kids, his ex-wife, and with the public. Like he says, in the end it is ultimately all about relationships. To overcome any destructive habit, we must look to those whom we love.

[Eilish · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible.
Just badly written, with a very obvious agenda.
I boiled down to " I had sex addiction ( but we won't discuss it in any detail) therefor sex and porno is bad and you all need to find jesus.
He didn't seem to cite much research on sex addiction, although he did cite some unrelated studies. There are a lot of phrases like "this isn't the actually term but it's what I call it" and " while doctors don't agree with this I believe".

Seriously it's great that you found help but to say that no one can get help with any kind of addiction without turning god is ridiculous and belittles the hard work people do to overcome their addictions. I feel like it's just another way of not taking responsibility.
Also lumping s&m into deviant sex behaviors with pedophilia and rape? Really whatever two consenting adults agree to do isn't your business and certainly isn't akin to raping someone.
Oh and assuming you whole family is going to commit suicide because you're a fuck up? Hey is it at all possible the people around you aren't as weak as you?
I really can't stress enough how much I hated this book. If it wasn't for my compulsion to finish a book once I've started I would have just left it about a third of the way through.
No clue how this got published.

[Elise]

I read this as assigned reading for my human sexuality class. Now having finished it, I feel like it was a weird thing to assign.

Part 1 was the most interesting, it was basically the memoir piece and my favorite component of the book. I was intrigued when he introduced the letters/journals from his ex-wife. It wasn't the most transparent as memoirs go though.

Part 2 was eh. It was the "science" of sex addition and pornography. Kind of one sided.

Part 3 was about finding Jesus and I really wasn't expecting that. I didn't realize it was a self-help book tbh. All the other assigned readings for this class have been straight up memoirs that we treat as case studies.

[Garrett Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book is about 20 years old it is interesting to see how some of the ideas for our society that he thought could be possible have come true.

One draw back is there is a lot of discussion on his leaning on God for his success in beating addiction. The book focuses a lot on his journey and should not be viewed as a broad discussion of sexual addiction. That being said, it is a good introduction to the topic and very approachable.

[Andy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was published in 2008 but the stats even from way back are chilling. Author gives his story in the first few chapters which is very sobering for anybody who reads it, especially men. Then is gives some solutions. The bottom line-if you have a porn problem get help before you lose everything.

[Eli · Rating 1 out of 5]

The scope of the title is deceptive; it should be titled "Confessions of a Recovering Sex Addict." Essentially, this is the tale of a man who replaced sex with Jesus-fueled anti-sex crusading. His disdain of hard facts (i.e. statistics and research) and blatant elevation of anecdotal evidence should arouse suspicion in even the least skeptical mind.

[Joseph]

I have finished porn nation I thought it was a great book/story. I liked his story and the way he overcame his porn addiction. It was very inspirational and encourage those who suffer with the addiction to Porn to read this book as well.

[Teri W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad but redemptive story about the ugliness of pornography addiction and the things it can lead too. Thankful that Michael Leahy had the courage to put his story on paper for the benefit of others.

[Evan Tyrol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly decent book. Details the extreme damage porn can have in someone's life and how far it can go.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

from the library

Neither the author nor Oprah are qualified to call pornography an addiction. My Ayurevedic doctors consider indoor lighting an addiction because it give me the ability and incentive to stay awake after sundown. Does that make it an addiction? A little science please.



from the library computer:
Author Biography


Michael Leahy has captured the nation's attention by speaking out on the topic no one wants to talk about. Featured on ABC's 20/20, The View, in USA Today, and other major media, Michael Leahy and his ex-wife Patty Onorato are breaking the silence to share their gripping personal story and talk about what Oprah Winfrey refers to as America's #1 addiction- sex addiction.
- (Moody)

Table of Contents

Preface--What's Really Going On Here? 9 (6)
Introduction--Facing the Truth 15 (12)
PART 1--THE TRUTH ABOUT ME

Leaving Paradise
27 (10)
The Great Escape
37 (10)
Meet Ken & Barbie
47 (10)
Going Under
57 (12)
In Her Own Words
69 (10)
Hitting Bottom
79 (10)
Getting Well
89 (14)
PART 2--THE TRUTH ABOUT US

A Perfect Storm
103 (10)
Generation Sex and the New Pornographers
113 (8)
I Am Not charlotte Simmons
121 (10)
Introducing Sex Syndrome
131 (10)
Am I a Sex Addict?
141 (14)
PART 3--THE TRUTH ABOUT THE NEW YOU

Defining Moments: Do you Want to Get Well?
155 (8)
Heal Your Body by Chaning your mind
163 (10)
Heal Your Soul by Changing Your Heart
173 (10)
Sex God ron Jeremy
183 (8)
Conclusion--Reconciled and Restored
191 (6)
Notes 197 (3)
Appendixes 200 (11)
Acknowledgments 211 (1)
About the Author 212

[Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am kind of suspect about books that are testimonials of the nature "I was in a spiraling tunnel of futility, but God rescued me". Especially when they are about addictions, i.e. like Tatum O'Neal who was recently busted, again.

Weekly Parade Magazine stories are full of such stories.

Still, the title and the subject interest, along with the recent Christian radio interview with Leahy struck a cord and I threw $20 at it.

This book offered little new information. Like other books I have read on the subject, it records the pain and futility of the author who has lived through this kind of hell, to be able to tell his story and offer some hope (by the grace of God).

I am concerned that others who read it may find ideas that lead them deeper (like a felon telling his secrets in prison, only to have others come out of prison with more ideas to fuel the sinful patterns of crime.)

Maybe the survey at the end of the book to help one discern whether or not he/she is a sex addict is worth the price of the book.

The book chronicles Leahy's decent into progressive sexual sin that led to loss of self respect, job, wife, family, sanity. It is an apology of sorts to those in his past life and a story of hope to those still in habitual sexual sin. He also describes the cycle of frenzy and sin and has some ideas about how to climb out of the abyss. I had hoped for more. The book is of some value.

Having had difficulty in the past and having friends who are experiencing sexual hell, I am somewhat ambiguous, undecided about my recommendation of the book. (On the other hand, maybe I would recommend it....)

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Leahy has a compelling story, it was a lengthy read. He spends the back half of the book explaining the psychology and the physiology of sex addiction and does it very well. Leahy is candid and honest and doesn't church-up his ideas. He recognizes the intense plight that pornography has placed in our society's lap and isn't afraid to talk about the taboo. While I appreciate his honesty and his insight, I feel like this book will have the same effect as every other "Every Man's" book or anything similar. It has great content, but, even as Leahy writes, the desire to change has to come from the individual. I would recommend this book as a great resource for us to educate ourselves about, as I've mentioned before, the psychology and the physiology involved in America's addiction to pornography.

[Kate Hyde · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is divided into three parts. Part 1 is the account of the author's journey through sex addiction - from the first time he saw a pornographic picture, to when he hit rock bottom, and how he began to recover. Part 2 delves into how our culture has become so sexualized and how sex addiction has become so prevalent. Part 3 talks more about the author's healing from his addiction, which had a lot to do with his renewed faith in God, along with other practical steps.

The most interesting part for me was Part 2 - it really made me aware of how hyper-sexualized our current culture is. And even if we can't necessarily change it, by being aware, we can choose to not follow the trend and hopefully lead to some positive change in future generations.

[Angus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Haven't read it yet, but from some seemingly sensible other reviews, I'd say it lacks any objectivity, and/or empirical data. I could be wrong though. I will read it, but I won't demonize porn. It's a commodity. If your average man is so weak , he needs to recover from a porn addiction, maybe we should re-evaluate our society (obviously). Women are equally to blame here, since they have what men want. Or, should we just blame nature, and accept the fact that normal, healthy men should be able to approach women in real life?!!! and not have to feel so awkward about it that they have to run home to beat off in a darkened room, in front of the cold, hard glare of the girl of his dreams: Internet Porn. This shit is complex!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book de-glamorizes our overly-sexualized culture through the very honest account of one man's struggle with sexual addiction, the destruction it created in his life, and the redemption and freedom he found after hitting rock bottom. Leahy's story tells of the dangers of porn and the paths of further destruction it can lead a person down, namely, ruining relationships of any sense of authentic intimacy through the objectification of others for one's own personal gain. By God's grace, Leahy found freedom from his addiction and is now committed to traveling all across the US to college campuses to share his story with students in hopes of sparing others of the same darkness and bondage he endured.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a terrifying book. Leahy goes into great detail about his own spiral downward into the world of internet pornography, and how it eventually led to the failure of his marriage.

While at ALL times remaining tasteful (not going into unnecessary detail), Mr. Leahy shows us a grim picture of the pornography industry and it's affect on our culture. If you have teens or work with them, this is a must read. The statistics about the sexual activity of America's teens are quite startling.

[Franziska · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, even though it wasn't quite what I expected. It was not so much research-based as mainly a personal account of a man who's overcome his struggle with pornography. However, it does have some interesting tidbits of research in there, and definitely some good personal insights. I'd recommend this book to anyone who still thinks pornography in its many various forms (soft and hard) doesn't affect us much, or/and doesn't hurt others, or/and that if it's an adult using 'it' it's so much better. Porn sucks. It's that simple.

[Christopher Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really helped me get a look at the problem of the problem of pornography addiction from the perspective of somebody who has been there. The author was addicted to porn for years and has now been free for years. He does a good job in the book of baring his soul and sharing his story and then sharing practical tips on how the problem can be overcome with God's help. As a pastor, I found it helpful to get an insider look of what its like for people who suffer with this addiction so that, hopefully, I can more effectively counsel people who are suffering with this problem.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was quite disappointed in this book, since I was expecting more of a research based study on porn addiction or the porn industry.. Guess I should have read the other reviews!

The first part, which follows (broadly) the author's growing addiction to porn, was interesting enough, but just when I was expecting statistics or research into the porn industry, the book became a self-help through God memoir. I'm sure this is great for people who are interested in this perspective, but I kind of feel like I spent $9.59 for nothing of great interest to me. 2*

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! The author writes the first half of the book about his own sexual addictions, where they started, and how they diminished. Then the second half of the books talks about what goes on in the world statistically with pornography, how to admit you have a problem, how to face the problem, etc. Very good. Going to write a large review of it up soon on my modesty/purity ministry blog.

[Gordon]

Very good book on the topic. Michael is honest about what happened to him because of his porn problem, gives honest facts about the problem nationwide, and offer great advice to those in need.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could have been said in a magazine article of a few pages rather than a full length book. If it's a topic that interests you, there are several better books I would recommend.