Pornography and Sexual Representation: A Reference Guide Volume I

Review
In this excellent reference source, Slade, an acknowledged expert, describes the history of pornography and examines theoretical works and major research collections; focuses on sexual performance and gender in art, photography, motion pictures, and electronic media; and examines the role pornography plays in contemporary society. This is the most detailed exploration of the topic in print. For academic and large public libraries.Library Journal

Book Description
For better or worse, pornography and sexual representation suffuse American culture. This first comprehensive guide to the literature includes the history of pornography in the United States and discusses pornography in a vast range of media. Volume one opens with a discussion of the history of American pornography. Two separate sections present information regarding bibliographies and reference tools concerning pornography and reviews of references devoted to the histories of sexuality and its representations and on theoretical works on erotica and pornography. One chapter is devoted to a discussion of major research collections. Also included are a chronology of important dates in the history of American Pornography and a discussion of child pornography. Volume two focuses on dramatic, visual and electronic media and is arranged by topic. Chapters discuss the landscape of the body, performance, erotic and pornographic art, erotic and pornographic photography, motion pictures and videotapes, and electronic media. Volume three focuses on oral, print, and journalistic media and includes folklore and oral genres, erotic literature, newspapers, magazines and advertising, and comics. The volume concludes with a section concerning research and policy regarding medical and social sciences, the law in the United States, and the economics of pornography.

About the Author
JOSEPH W. SLADE is Professor with the School of Communication, Ohio University, Athens.


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Two premises support this interesting three-volume set. First, "pornography does not compel assent to a particular agenda," and thus remains marginal and a source of energy to mainstream culture. Second, pornography is viewed by Slade (communications, Ohio State U.) as a kind of sexual folklore ("All folklore is erotic," said the folklorist Gershon Legman). The first volume provides a chronology of American pornography; Slade's short essay, "Thinking About Pornography"; a history of American pornography; a bibliographic essay on research and reference tools; histories of sexuality and its representations; theoretical works on erotica and pornography, a discussion of maintaining major research collections, and lastly, child pornography. Volume two focuses on representation, specifically, the landscape of the body (displayed bodies, sexualities, and erotic toys), and porn in performance, art, photography, cinema, video, and electronic media. The last volume surveys pornography in folklore, erotic literature, periodicals, advertising, comics, medical and social science research, and pornography in conjunction with the law and the economy. Each volume contains a table of contents for the whole set. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)


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