The basics are there, albeit somewhat briefly - but a great deal of the book refers to gay 'Culture' which surely people must realise is as changeable and as any other, and different depending on geography, age, race etc.

It's not just the fact that all the guys in the hilariously 'tasteful' illustrations all look like Tom Selleck (or when they're not US naval officers) or that gay clubs don't appear to have moved on since Armistead Maupin's day - I suppose what makes me wonder if the relevance of this book has lessened is simply that gay men and our 'culture' have moved on since much of this book was written.

Oh, and not everyone is from America.

As a guide to anything in particular, it falls short on most marks - giving little in the way of tangible and practical suggestions, merely hinting at what is 'possible' and clueing the reader up with terminology (most of which is still in use today). There are obvious gaping holes which even the average 14 year old boy who gets funny feelings in his tummy at the thought of Robbie Williams will probably know about in todays more streetwise world. But I would still buy it for him, as it works much better as an introduction to the ideas behind gay Sex rather than a manual to those already familiar with it.

But for anyone not interested or able to engage in anal sex, it’s dreadful; providing little in the way of alternatives and almost ignoring the fact that some people just aren’t physically able to do it.

It’s a nice and gentle book, providing a broad look – if not a particularly in-depth one (it took about 2-3 hours to read) but so much of it is so obviously dated I find little use for it, and may hesitate recommending it.

There are better ones out there.

If you're really looking for a modern book about gay sex, forget this one.

-PATRICK