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greed, use and abuse of women and the every day world of porn. The author Legs McNeil has told the entire story of porn from the early talkies to the late 1990's. Nothing is left untold and the stories are told in interview form. At first this format was distracting, but after a while it became very easy to read and all of the characters seemed to flow well with each other. Of note, the book is dedicated to Mr. McNeil's late girlfriend who died an excruciating death from heroin that had been infected with flesh eating bacteria. It took Legs McNeil 7 years to write this book with his co-authors and to find a publisher. He produced a special on Court TV about "The Other Hollywood" and caught the attention of Judith Reagan and procured a book contract. These stories are told straight from the lips of those involved in the world of porn, no moralizing. As Legs McNeil so eloquently states, "This book captures the birth and first few decades of porn. The people spoke, the actors and actresses, cops and mobsters, producers and directors, photographers and writers, hustlers and suitcase pimps, and everyone else in between" That about sums up the entire world. The book is separated into chapters and each chapter flows into the next one. The chapters are well named and draw your attention, "Don't Count The Money, Weigh It", "Size Matters", "Memphis Backlash Blues", "Deep Cover", "The Godfather of Hollywood", "Think This Will F### Up My 4th of July Weekend", "Pimping and Pandering" and "Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead". The stories run the gamut from the making of "Deep Throat" and the story of Linda Lovelace and her husband. She complained that she was forced to make the movie, but those who were there say differently. A $22,000 venture ultimately made a million dollars, and Linda Lovelace became a household name. The story of John Holmes, a porn star who was probably insane and the people he took down with him. Savannah, the young porn star who tragically committed suicide. Traci Lord, the underage porn star who fooled everyone and then caused a legal entanglement because of her age. Those who knew her say she knew what she was doing and she loved doing it. There are love stories between porn stars and there is much of drugs and alcohol. Most porn stars it seems get by with drugs and alcohol. It is really a dirty business with all involved in it for the money. Fame and fortune are what most stars set out to obtain, but misery and ill health are what many are left with. The saga of HIV in the porn business, and how Sharon Mitchell came to formulate the porn health care side of things. She is one of a few who really care what happens to the people in the business, and she makes it her business to help them. This is a fascinating book Legs McNeil has put together; the encyclopedia of porn. Everyone and anyone from the kings of Mafia to the celebrities who loved porn are mentioned. There are few stories left untold. The voices of those who were there, and those who are still struggling in the business give credence to the history of porn. Heard a while ago that Columbia House- the place where we used to obtain our records is now partnering with Playboy to produce porn- many legit businesses are buying into porn for the money that is to be had. So, many of our top companies if you dig down deep enough are supported by porn. How did this come to happen? I have been reading and the history is fascinating. What is left out in this book is the emergence of big business behind the scenes in porn. There is much more to learn and much more about the porn business to be unfurled. Legs McNeil has made a fascinating subject more fascinating by the telling of the story. Recommended. prisrob
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