Black Hippie Chick's Take on The ABC's of BDSM

A BDSM-style collar that buckles in the back. This was a featured picture of Lady Byron (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The ABC’s of BDSM by Dama de Noche
In the introduction the following terms are defined, and their importance in the BDSM community are stressed: Risk Aware Consensual Kink.=RACK…SSC=Safe Sane & Consensual….PRICK= Personal Responsibility Informed Consensual Kink…these three terms are very important in the BDSM Community and are often considered the basic foundation of any type of play involved in the BDSM community.

The ABC’s is organized in the same manner as a dictionary with each entry being in alphabetical order, followed by a definition, and often several examples of the act being discussed. The author stresses that the acts included in the book are not meant to be seen as a definitive list of all things BDSM. That being said, the list is very thorough and includes the most common terms of BDSM such as, Dominance & submission, bondage and OTK (over the knee) to terms that are not necessarily part of popular culture such as, humbler (a device that is used on submissive men) and a quilling (the use of porcupine quills during discipline).

The terms in the book are described in detail, some even containing step-by-step instructions. The author also emphasizes that acts committed as part of the lifestyle have the potential to cause injury and in some instances death; the importance of receiving training is stressed repeatedly, along with the need to find a teacher that has a good reputation &/or references. The author often includes signs of infection or issues to watch for in case things don’t go as planned, along with the reassurance that doctors have been exposed to all types of injuries & that there is no reason for a participant to feel too embarrassed to receive treatment. The book also includes a section on contract negotiations between Doms & subs and the important role that communication plays in these types of relationships. The reader is also told that regardless of the contract that has been negotiated, in the United States anytime that a person no longer consents to an activity it needs to end immediately, because legally it is not possible for someone to relinquish their ability to refuse consent.

All in all, The Abc’s of BDSM is a very quick read and the terminology is explained in a manner that the most novice individual is able to understand what is being said. The terms and acts described include the most popular terms that are even known to those outside of the lifestyle, to terms that may be new to veterans of the BDSM community. If you are actively involved in the BDSM community or you read Fifty Shades of Grey and your interest has been piqued, then The Abc’s of BDSM is a great starting point.

I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stings (for kink factor) and n/a for paddle factor because this is a resource guide.

Original reviewed for BDSM Book Reviews
August 27, 2012

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