ModCon: The Secret World Of Extreme Body Modification

Rating:
Summary: not for the squeemish
Review: Anyone who isn't actively involved with (either practicing, getting or wanting) the HEAVY body mod scene definitely shouldn't buy, read or look at this book.

It documents hard modifications such as tongue splitting, 3d/transdermal implants, subincisions, penectomies, glansectomies, scarificaion, etc.

The book has alot of photographs and articles on the subjects listed and is a great book to have for anyone interested, however the articles are seriously lacking perosnal experiences in some cases. The book is definitely not worth the nearly $200 listed above. I got mine from bmeshop.com for $29.99

There is a DVD (that I have) that accompanies this book (also sold at bmevideo.com) that documents hardcore procedures at the actual ModCon.

ModCon2 book also in the works.

Rating:
Summary: absolutely incredible...
Review: as the title suggests i thought this book was amazing - i felt that the photography was very raw and well done. the book also helps to dispell some of the ignorance people may have about extreme body modification by actually giving you a look inside some of the people who participate in these activities allowing you to see the passion this community has for its art... i myself am a part of the piercing community so my affinity was only heightened and enlightened by this book. not to take away from amazon.com as i am an avid customer but u can also find this book through its direct source on bmezine.com along with finding more information on body modification.

Rating:
Summary: Ames sensibles, s'abstenir...
Review: Enfin un très bon livre qui sort des sentiers battus. Il s'adresse à qui connaît et apprécie les modifications corporelles et plus particulièrement les heavy-mods.Contenu et photographies exceptionnels, mais très crus. Un ouvrage qui s'adresse à un public averti, à ne pas laisser traîner entre toutes les mains. Certains ne comprendraient pas et deviendraient intolérants. Ici, on ne se demande pas pourquoi, mais comment.

Rating:
Summary: Simply incredible
Review: I am amazed with how well this book was put together. Amazing pictures, great writing, and very interesting subject matter. This is without a doubt one of the best (if not THE best) books based on body modification.
Shannon Larratt has covered so many aspects of heavy modification, from risks, to religion, to sexuality, to sanity, and much more. Philip Barbosa took beautiful pictures of what is generally noticed as being insane, or not noticed at all.
I highly suggest this book to ANYONE who is involved with body modification, even if that modification is only piercing and/or tattoos. This is simply a great book to learn from.

Rating:
Summary: Don't like it!
Review: If you've read the Re/Search volume MODERN PRIMITIVES and ever wondered where everyone was going to go from there, this is the book. If you think everyone now has a tattoo or a piercing, ask yourself how many people do you know with a branding or cutting? Do any of your friends have implants? Do you think your body might be improved by amputation? This is area of the world where MODCON takes the reader.

ModCon, a private convention/gathering of extreme body art enthusiasts and artists, is documented in this volume of interviews and pictures, with some material coming from the author's private collection. You will see implants, surgical alterations and every form of permanent skin art, all modifications and changes made at the wishes of the wearer. The pictures are highly-detailed, full-color and sometimes disturbingly graphic in their medical nature.

As a person who has collected body art for almost twenty years now, I have seen a lot of unique people. I bought this book because it went beyond anything I have seen before. The interviews reveal an incredible array of focus and desire when it comes to why everyone is doing these things, as well as varying, and sometimes scary, degrees of will to carry out the mental vision for the physical body. If you want a book that will confront you with questions and shake up your perceptions about humans and how they view and use their bodies, this is one of the ones. Collectors of "the extreme" should also take note.

Rating:
Summary: Modify your mind
Review: This book is peep into the world of extreme body modification. It goes well beyond tattooing and piercing that most people are familiar with and provides (plenty of) photos, and interviews with the people who practice these forms of modification (implants for exaple).
The book really is fascinating. There are mods that you may have heard of, and thought why would anyone do that? Well the interviews in this book give and insight into the reasons behind the mods. And anyone who thinks that body modification is a symptom of a sick mind, could do a lot lot worse than read the exceptionally well easoned arguments for why these people do what tehy do to their bodies.
I've said it once, and I'll say it again, this is a fascinating book that you will genuinely find hard to put down.

Rating:
Summary: Modify your mind
Review: This book is peep into the world of extreme body modification. It goes well beyond tattooing and piercing that most people are familiar with and provides (plenty of) photos, and interviews with the people who practice these forms of modification (implants for exaple).
The book really is fascinating. There are mods that you may have heard of, and thought why would anyone do that? Well the interviews in this book give and insight into the reasons behind the mods. And anyone who thinks that body modification is a symptom of a sick mind, could do a lot lot worse than read the exceptionally well easoned arguments for why these people do what tehy do to their bodies.
I've said it once, and I'll say it again, this is a fascinating book that you will genuinely find hard to put down.

Rating:
Summary: High hopes, grounded.
Review: This is the probably the only book on extreme body modification out there, and it does a wonderful job. "Modcon" is filled with pictures of surgical procedures, many unqiue modifications and others who are involved in the community. The book has tons of wonderful photos (colour and black + white) and interesting interviews. The book might disturb or disgust some readers, but the book is set up in a way that shows it doesn't intent to do that.

This book can be both personally enjoyable and academically fascinating. If you have an interest in body modification, sociology, anthropology and/or subcultures, there is something in this book that will interest you.