Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, Volume 16, March 18, 2013

www.ejhs.org


Book Review

GUIDE TO GETTING IT ON, 7th Ed.

Paul Joannides
Goofy Foot Press 2013
1184 pages including glossary and index.



Click on cover to buy this book from Amazon.com $19.03

Reviewed by David S. Hall, Ph.D.

This is a birth announcement of the latest edition of the famous Guide To Getting It On. This baby checks in at a little over 4 pounds, and 2.3 inches from cover to cover. Earlier siblings have been translated into 15 languages, this one will probably be translated as well. And surprise, it has an electronic double, complete with color illustrations, available on iBook for your Apple devices at only $9.99.

The original guide is probably older than most of your college students, and this version is very grown up, but still suitable for everyone from teens on up. I have used it as a supplementary text and my students prefer reading it to the more formal, scientific text I use.The drawings (no photos) by Dærick Gröss, Sr. are beautiful, especially in the electronic edition in color.

There are now 90 interesting chapters, everything from kissing to anal sex, from history to Barbie to Sex & God. It would be hard to find something not included, but if you do find something you want added, write Paul, and then read this one while waiting for the 8th edition. I have given the Guide as a gift, required students to buy it, and I have never had a complaint. Many of my friends go on to give more away after getting one from me. They are available on the book store shelves at B&N, as well as online. Click on the cover and get it now.

As I said in a previous review, the book is as technically accurate as they can make it, and contains lots of useful information on health, protection and birth control, but all is done with informal and well focused humor and a high level of emphasis on personal responsibility and pleasure. Did I say pleasure? You don't find that often in a sex education text book. It is a fun read, hard to put down, and you can start with any subject you are interested in and find the information you need at the moment. A full index is provided, along with a very comprehensive glossary.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. Buy it now, you won't regret it.