Safe, Sane, & Consensual - Darren Langdrige & Meg Barker

Reviewed By: Kashiko Black
Review Date: February 8, 2012
Category: Informational, BDSM

Back Cover Summary:

Psychological and medical perspectives on sadomasochism have historically been concerned with understanding it as a form of psychopathology. In the past (but still often today) studies of SM have been concerned with extremem and most often non-consensual acts. More recently, however, there has been growing interest in exploring the meaning of sadomasochism in non-pathological ways. Safe, Sane, and Consensual includes work from accross the social sciences exploreing a varity of aspects of SM from a non-pathological perspective. There are discussions of the history and culture of SM, medical and legal understandings, along with theory and orginal research and writing on bridging the academic/activist divide.

Reviewer Comments on Rating:

Safe, Sane, and Consensual is an amazing look at BDSM and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It presents the reader with information on BDSM from a social context as well as the normal positive practicioner view. The book not only challenges many of the notions and assumptions of the mainstream view on BDSM but also offers some reasoning as to why they exist as well as suggestions and phrasing that helps dispell incorrect assumptions and garner a level of understanding and sympathy. Langdridge & Barker provide you with a expansive look at what the various aspects of "Safe, Sane, & Consensual" really means that delve into depths not typically covered by other authors. The variety of topics open your perception and provide you with a strong informational base from which to consume other BDSM literature. The examples, when used within the book, were creative and engaging and all the chapters were expertly sourced. Some of the chapters did use a higher level of language which I would expect to be difficult and less accessible for some readers and the depth of information given may be overwhelming for anyone just starting in BDSM. I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in more of the social aspects and history of BDSM or for anyone looking to increase their understanding and round out their knowledge.