This is probably one of the most informative and interesting reference books you'll ever read about sex. Containing over 750 entries, it describes different types of sex activities from all over the world. I have to commend the author on the amount of research that went into this book. Despite it's kinky subject, it's truly fascinating.

Like any other encyclopedia, the entries are listed alphabetically and there is a comprehensive index listed in the back. There are also many illustrations as well. The book covers a wide range of sexual activities and turn ons, from everyday things like personal ads to extreme behavior like mysophilia (ingestion of the body fluids of corpses by necrophiles). It also covers just about every aspect of S/M, and while I wouldn't recommend it as a learning tool, it is certainly a starting point to explore and discover new ideas to spice up your sex life. As the author indicates, many of the activites described in this book are downright dangerous, causing possible bodily harm as well as risking the transmission of STD's. Many of these activities should only be tried or practiced with extreme care or caution, and in some cases, only with a trained professional. Actually, some of them are so sick and disgusting I don't see how anyone could be turned on by them.

For example, emetophilia is sexual arousal by vomiting by either you or your partner. Oculolinctus refers to sexual arousal by licking your partner's eyeball. Necrobestialism involves having sex with dead animals. And of course, there are those turn ons involving feces. Then there are turn ons which are just bizarre. For example, robotism refers to the attraction to or use of robots in sex. Galateism is the sexual attraction to statues. And nosophilia is when you get aroused from the knowledge that your partner is terminally ill.

The book also cover definitions and explanations of sexual terminology, as well as information on things like diseases, various religous practices from around the world, and devices and objects to be used during sex play. Although some of the entries may seem mundane at first, after reading them you realize why the author included them. For example, I wouldn't consider marriage an unusual sex practice, but the author goes on to list different types of marriage, including mail-order brides and polygamy.

All in all, this book is a worthwhile read. And while you can't necessarily agree with or condone a lot of the things described in this book, you have to understand that people are motivated by all different types of things and we need to accept each other for who we are. If anything, this book will make you realize that you're not as sick and twisted as you though you were.