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Rating: 
Summary: The bias could have been at least admitted
Review: But this is clearly beyond the editor's comprehension. In essence, his argument states that Playboy was the sole proprietor of twentieth century sexual revolution and everybody else (especially feminists) were working against the empire that was Playboy. Not only does this create a very paranoid persona, but it also makes for shoddy book writing. Therein lies the chief problem with this self-appointed text of cultural history. Despite the generalized title of the book, it is nothing more than an advertisement for the magagzine and a disappearing way of life. According to the author, the corporation is in decline because feminists imposed their agenda on society and worked to eliminate a market for beautiful and nubile young women. He argues that society would still be great if we could return to those carefree days of yonder. The advent of AIDS as well as expanded opportunities for young women mean that the aspiration to be a Playboy Bunny has lessened in the last 30 years. Again, the author is so wrapped up in recreating these lost days that he does not give crticial analysis to anything that would suggest Playboy's wane is a complex set of circumstances. This is dangerously immature in the field of history. While most of the country has evolved to some degree of respect for the women's movement (which explains why Phyllis Schafley is less visible) he persists in blaming women for much of what they did not start. It says a lot about this amature "pop historian" that he simplifies the protests and concerns of women's rights activists down to internalized jealuosy because they never did look as good as the bunnies. Perhaps his book would have been better if he had attempted to see what his opposition was at least attempting to say. Indivduals interested in a more objective but shorter account of the Playboy life ought to read or view Gloria Steinem's "A Bunny's Tale" or even the MTV history of sex and rock and roll would be better than this thinly veiled advertisement for the Playboy corporation.
Rating: 
Summary: A fascinating study of American culture
Review: I find it incredibly entertaining that the reviewers voted "most helpful" were the ones who pooh-poohed this book as completely biased, anti-feminist, and generally useless. These are, no doubt, the very same people who never think to question governments, laws, or religious bodies. I found the book a fascinating read, showing the constant tug-of-war between those who would force their morality on others(resulting in the Comstock Act, Mann Act, etc.) and those who believed in personal freedom of choice. The things televangelists are ranting about today as sure signs of the decline of our society - abortion, pornography, sex education - are... SURPRISE! the same things our nation has teetered back and forth on since the very beginning of the twentieth century. Sure, there may be some bias, but the book's recounting of past injustices committed in the name of morality is eye-opening. For example, Comstock created the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice and spearheaded the Comstock law, making it illegal to send "obscene material" through the mail. He built up quite the collection to show off to visiting senators, and was quite skilled at running roughshod over the judicial system. He dragged Ira Craddock to court for writing a manual to enhance the sex life of married couples and told the judge that it was "so obscene" the jury should not even be traumatized by looking at it. They convicted Craddock without judge or jury actually looking at the document in question. She committed suicide as a result. The Mann act (making it illegal to transport someone across state lines for licentuous purposes) was randomly enforced to imprison people those in power didn't like, such as a black boxer with a white girlfriend. Billy Graham's 1980's declaration that AIDS research should be banned, lest man interfere with the carrying out of God's justice, and other such absurdities are also covered. While later chapters perhaps overemphasize Playboy's influence a bit, in general the author did a great job of presenting the overall picture. The book paints a rich picture of the underlying social climate throughout the century, putting America's periodical fits of Puritanism into perspective. Well worth the price of admission.
Rating:
Summary: A fascinating study of American culture
Review: I find it incredibly entertaining that the reviewers voted "most helpful" were the ones who pooh-poohed this book as completely biased, anti-feminist, and generally useless. These are, no doubt, the very same people who never think to question governments, laws, or religious bodies. I found the book a fascinating read, showing the constant tug-of-war between those who would force their morality on others(resulting in the Comstock Act, Mann Act, etc.) and those who believed in personal freedom of choice. The things televangelists are ranting about today as sure signs of the decline of our society - abortion, pornography, sex education - are... SURPRISE! the same things our nation has teetered back and forth on since the very beginning of the twentieth century. Sure, there may be some bias, but the book's recounting of past injustices committed in the name of morality is eye-opening. For example, Comstock created the New York Society for the Suppression of Vice and spearheaded the Comstock law, making it illegal to send "obscene material" through the mail. He built up quite the collection to show off to visiting senators, and was quite skilled at running roughshod over the judicial system. He dragged Ira Craddock to court for writing a manual to enhance the sex life of married couples and told the judge that it was "so obscene" the jury should not even be traumatized by looking at it. They convicted Craddock without judge or jury actually looking at the document in question. She committed suicide as a result. The Mann act (making it illegal to transport someone across state lines for licentuous purposes) was randomly enforced to imprison people those in power didn't like, such as a black boxer with a white girlfriend. Billy Graham's 1980's declaration that AIDS research should be banned, lest man interfere with the carrying out of God's justice, and other such absurdities are also covered. While later chapters perhaps overemphasize Playboy's influence a bit, in general the author did a great job of presenting the overall picture. The book paints a rich picture of the underlying social climate throughout the century, putting America's periodical fits of Puritanism into perspective. Well worth the price of admission.
Rating:
Summary: Relaxation Reading
Review: I think that it is an essential book for those who admire the finer things in life such as fast cars and beautiful women. Granted this I give this book two thumbs up, and recommend it to those who are into and value all human beauty.
Rating:
Summary: An eye-opener
Review: One could argue this book is biased, and hell, it's published in cooperation with Playboy, so that's telling in itself. But it is an interesting read, covering each decade of the 20th century, pointing out trends and controversies and boundaries, whether broken or renewed. Birth control, porn films, swinger lifestyles, AIDS, homophobia, sexual provocateurs and repressive trends are all covered and more. I found it to be very interesting and informative, and the book definitely got me thinking and I was happy to come away from the read feeling I've really learned something. For such potentially shocking material that the book covers, it never approaches the subject matter in a prurient or lecherous way. More of a sociological/historical approach to sex.
Rating:
Summary: Revolutionary Idealism through photography
Review: True, a admire anyone who is a revolutionary speaking as one, and therefore highly recommend this book. Has many interesting pictures, and provides a stimulating picture after returning from a hard days work. I recommend to anyone who likes photograhpy.
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