Ordeal: An Autobiography by Linda Lovelace

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Summary: A Very Informative Book!
Review: This book served as a very good description of the porno industry in America. Linda Lovelace gives a very detailed writing of her experiences in the porno industry. She goes to her commercial sucess brought about by starring in "DeepThroat" to her finally making a break from her agent-boyfriend Chuck. OIt was very interesting to hear her courting by the media during her heyday. It also made very interesting reading to hear Lovelace tell of her involvement with Sammy Davis Jr. This book is a very good tell all by one of the biggest stars in the porno trade. Here today, gone tomorrow. Read this, it is quite informative.

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Summary: One Of The Filthiest Books I Have Ever Read
Review: This explicit memoir about the life and times of porn icon Linda Lovelace is one of the dirtiest books I have ever read. Throughout the book, Lovelace goes into lurid detail about the numerous sexual encounters she had a a swinger, prostitute, and porn star. Of course, Lovelace portrays herself as the ultimate victim: she was forced into the sex industry at gunpoint by her boogeyman husband/manager. ORDEAL is the kind of book that anti-porn feminists like Andrea Dworkin and Gloria Steinem eat up: A woman could never be a sexual pervert, they say, unless she was forced into it. What nonsense! Lovelace was a pervert who wrote the book after she found Jesus. Now she wants to sanitize her past. I guess only naive feminists and directors like Ron Howard are fooled. But don't get me wrong. Buy the book! It is well written, entertaining, dirty, and filled with sordid stories of celebrities who slept with Lovelace. After reading this, I could never look at Sammy Davis Jr. the same way again! :)

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Summary: It can happen too easily in our culture ...
Review: Your opinion of this book may hinge on your personal knowledge of and experiences with domestic violence, sexual abuse and your (un)willingness to "blame the victim." I found this sad story very believable (and difficult to read) because of experiences that I and other women friends have had surviving abusive relationships. Hard-core porn is not the only sexual abuse. Self-esteem is fragile, and the conspiracy of silence that surrounds domestic and sexual violence creates challenges for women (and Linda) that can be almost insurmountable. It is not simple or easy to escape even with supportive friends and family, and Linda had neither for much of her life. When someone you love reports abusive hehavior, believe them. Be patient during the process of leaving. Above all, be respectful of choices even when you don't understand them.