Reviews
"The debate about porn is a minefield, a thick entanglement of moral, religious, political, feminist and libertarian concerns. As with a skein of wool, as each side pulls tighter on its strand, the knot gets tighter, positions ossify, and no one listens. The always insightful writer Shira Tarrant bravely steps into the debate with a calm, thorough discussion of every aspect of the porn industry. With a careful and assured grasp on the material, Tarrant guides the reader, shaking the skein gently, letting knots untangle and individual strands become clearer. The best primer on porn one can find." --Michael Kimmel, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Stony Brook University, and author of Angry White Men "The Pornography Industry offers an incredibly comprehensive examination of pornography - covering legal issues, political debates, performers, consumers, the porn industry, technological changes, and much more. Unlike some other books on pornography, Tarrant's analysis of these issues is consistently evidence-based, and the evidence presented challenges many of the conventional myths regarding the content of pornography and its effects on those who produce and consume it." --Ronald Weitzer, George Washington University, and author of Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business "Pornography is a controversial topic that many people like to argue about-and even more people like to watch. Shira Tarrant has written an even-handed account of the legal, political, and social issues at stake. This important book provides an accessible overview of key concerns that face parents, educators, the curious, and the concerned." --Nadine Strossen, author of Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Women's Rights "Shira Tarrant has provided a wide-ranging, accessibly written primer on the modern pornography industry, answering questions many people want to know but are afraid-or don't know whom-to ask. She demystifies the business and humanizes the workers in it. Above all, Tarrant advocates for greater education about this rapidly changing industry, guiding readers in understanding its potential harms and benefits." --Carisa R. Showden, author of Choices Women Make: Agency in Domestic Violence, Assisted Reproduction, and Sex Work, "The debate about porn is a minefield, a thick entanglement of moral, religious, political, feminist and libertarian concerns. As with a skein of wool, as each side pulls tighter on its strand, the knot gets tighter, positions ossify, and no one listens. The always insightful writer Shira Tarrant bravely steps into the debate with a calm, thorough discussion of every aspect of the porn industry. With a careful and assured grasp on the material, Tarrant guides the reader, shaking the skein gently, letting knots untangle and individual strands become clearer. The best primer on porn one can find." --Michael Kimmel, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Stony Brook University, and author of Angry White Men "The Pornography Industry offers an incredibly comprehensive examination of pornography - covering legal issues, political debates, performers, consumers, the porn industry, technological changes, and much more. Unlike some other books on pornography, Tarrant's analysis of these issues is consistently evidence-based, and the evidence presented challenges many of the conventional myths regarding the content of pornography and its effects on those who produce and consume it." --Ronald Weitzer, George Washington University, and author of Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business "Pornography is a controversial topic that many people like to argue about-and even more people like to watch. Shira Tarrant has written an even-handed account of the legal, political, and social issues at stake. This important book provides an accessible overview of key concerns that face parents, educators, the curious, and the concerned." --Nadine Strossen, author of Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Women's Rights "Shira Tarrant has provided a wide-ranging, accessibly written primer on the modern pornography industry, answering questions many people want to know but are afraid-or don't know whom-to ask. She demystifies the business and humanizes the workers in it. Above all, Tarrant advocates for greater education about this rapidly changing industry, guiding readers in understanding its potential harms and benefits." --Carisa R. Showden, author of Choices Women Make: Agency in Domestic Violence, Assisted Reproduction, and Sex Work "A non-judgemental look at the the porn industry, author Tarrant covers pretty much all the topics, the history and societies viewpoint, as you would probably expect ... I think this book will be most appreciated by readers who are looking for a sterile, historical look at the industry." --Jeff Linamen, "The debate about porn is a minefield, a thick entanglement of moral, religious, political, feminist and libertarian concerns. As with a skein of wool, as each side pulls tighter on its strand, the knot gets tighter, positions ossify, and no one listens. The always insightful writer Shira Tarrant bravely steps into the debate with a calm, thorough discussion of every aspect of the porn industry. With a careful and assured grasp on the material, Tarrant guides the reader, shaking the skein gently, letting knots untangle and individual strands become clearer. The best primer on porn one can find." --Michael Kimmel, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Stony Brook University, and author of Angry White Men, "The debate about porn is a minefield, a thick entanglement of moral, religious, political, feminist and libertarian concerns. As with a skein of wool, as each side pulls tighter on its strand, the knot gets tighter, positions ossify, and no one listens. The always insightful writer Shira Tarrant bravely steps into the debate with a calm, thorough discussion of every aspect of the porn industry. With a careful and assured grasp on the material, Tarrant guidesthe reader, shaking the skein gently, letting knots untangle and individual strands become clearer. The best primer on porn one can find." --Michael Kimmel, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, StonyBrook University, and author of Angry White Men"The Pornography Industry offers an incredibly comprehensive examination of pornography - covering legal issues, political debates, performers, consumers, the porn industry, technological changes, and much more. Unlike some other books on pornography, Tarrant's analysis of these issues is consistently evidence-based, and the evidence presented challenges many of the conventional myths regarding the content of pornography and its effects on those whoproduce and consume it." --Ronald Weitzer, George Washington University, and author of Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business"Pornography is a controversial topic that many people like to argue about-and even more people like to watch. Shira Tarrant has written an even-handed account of the legal, political, and social issues at stake. This important book provides an accessible overview of key concerns that face parents, educators, the curious, and the concerned." --Nadine Strossen, author of Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Women'sRights"Shira Tarrant has provided a wide-ranging, accessibly written primer on the modern pornography industry, answering questions many people want to know but are afraid-or don't know whom-to ask. She demystifies the business and humanizes the workers in it. Above all, Tarrant advocates for greater education about this rapidly changing industry, guiding readers in understanding its potential harms and benefits." --Carisa R. Showden, author of Choices WomenMake: Agency in Domestic Violence, Assisted Reproduction, and Sex Work"A non-judgemental look at the the porn industry, author Tarrant covers pretty much all the topics, the history and societies viewpoint, as you would probably expect ... I think this book will be most appreciated by readers who are looking for a sterile, historical look at the industry." --Jeff Linamen, "The debate about porn is a minefield, a thick entanglement of moral, religious, political, feminist and libertarian concerns. As with a skein of wool, as each side pulls tighter on its strand, the knot gets tighter, positions ossify, and no one listens. The always insightful writer Shira Tarrant bravely steps into the debate with a calm, thorough discussion of every aspect of the porn industry. With a careful and assured grasp on the material, Tarrant guides the reader, shaking the skein gently, letting knots untangle and individual strands become clearer. The best primer on porn one can find." --Michael Kimmel, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Stony Brook University, and author of Angry White Men "The Pornography Industry offers an incredibly comprehensive examination of pornography - covering legal issues, political debates, performers, consumers, the porn industry, technological changes, and much more. Unlike some other books on pornography, Tarrant's analysis of these issues is consistently evidence-based, and the evidence presented challenges many of the conventional myths regarding the content of pornography and its effects on those who produce and consume it." --Ronald Weitzer, George Washington University, and author of Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business"Pornography is a controversial topic that many people like to argue about-and even more people like to watch. Shira Tarrant has written an even-handed account of the legal, political, and social issues at stake. This important book provides an accessible overview of key concerns that face parents, educators, the curious, and the concerned." --Nadine Strossen, author of Defending Pornography: Free Speech, Sex, and the Fight for Women's Rights "Shira Tarrant has provided a wide-ranging, accessibly written primer on the modern pornography industry, answering questions many people want to know but are afraid-or don't know whom-to ask. She demystifies the business and humanizes the workers in it. Above all, Tarrant advocates for greater education about this rapidly changing industry, guiding readers in understanding its potential harms and benefits." --Carisa R. Showden, author of Choices Women Make: Agency in Domestic Violence, Assisted Reproduction, and Sex Work"A non-judgemental look at the the porn industry, author Tarrant covers pretty much all the topics, the history and societies viewpoint, as you would probably expect ... I think this book will be most appreciated by readers who are looking for a sterile, historical look at the industry." --Jeff Linamen