Domination & Submission

Fantastic overview, entertainingly presented.

By chapter 2, I bought this audiobook for my own Dom. Even though I'm experienced and have been active in the BDSM lifestyle, this book was a great broad-brush overview that helped me to understand the drivers for kinksters who differ from me, as well as giving some great food for thought and some great conversation topics that have helped us to grow as a D/s couple. Listening to this book is like hanging out with someone who's "been there, done that" and normalizes an alternative lifestyle in a clear, positive manner, gratifyingly without the posturing that's all too common. My Dom and I have had some truly amazing and revealing conversations as a result of this book, and I'm so very glad I've had the opportunity to listen. Oh, and great narration too. :)

22 of 25 people found this review helpful

Bend over for Daddy!

Any additional comments?

If you are new to the "lifestyle", or interested in learning more about BDSM and the different types of DS relationships, this is a great starting place. There isn't a "BDSM Bible", so you will find variations in how it is defined and relationships people form. This is based on Mike's views and experiences in the lifestyle.

Mike uses some of his personal experiences/failures/lessons learned as examples. Some of these I found amusing. I was surprised he touched on different religions and how BDSM would fit in with it, if at all. I didn't necessarily agree with it, but interesting to hear his viewpoints.

Mike also touched on potential legal implications, even though it is between consenting adults. Having the police show up at your hotel room, or standing before a judge with sex offender charges, is not a circumstance any of us want to be in ... but can happen.

Definitely worth the money and time. However, I would recommend listening to it at 1.5 speed, as the reading was a little slow for my taste.

26 of 30 people found this review helpful

An Intro to DS and BDSM for Dominant Straight Men

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The title of the book led me to believe it would be very general and inclusive and universal. This was not the case.I would have liked it more if the author had more knowledge about the DS and BDSM experience from a progressive stand point. He obviously favors traditional gender roles and is not knowledgeable on alternative views. The fact that men are statistically usually Doms and that women are usually Subs is not valid justification for using "He" in reference to Doms and "she" in reference to Subs. Definitely outdated

What could Michael Makai have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The author is obnoxious and arrogant and he thinks he's really funny. He dedicated a section of the book to his own quotes in which he thought were particularly profound or funny. One of these hilarious quips was " I love red heads. It's not their hair color, it's the crazy". He also invented a new category of Dom for himself which he calls " The White Knight Dom". He goes into how the Bible supports this lifestyle in the way that it instructs men how to rule over their wives and how women should serve their husbands. I thought it was an enlightening view into his ideology when he started talking about how G*d was probably a Dom like him.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. There have to be better books out there!

Any additional comments?

After reading about DS and BDSM from Makai's perspective I didn't feel like there was room in the lifestyle for feminists like me. But I know this isn't true because the people who I know personally in this lifestyle aren't like that at all. I look forward to finding more progressive perspectives.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Normative, 30 years out of date

Would you try another book from Michael Makai and/or Tobias Ezra Queen?

No. Both too smug and self satisfied.

Would you ever listen to anything by Michael Makai again?

No. I almost never put a book down that I've purchased before finishing it, and after the second chapter I just couldn't listen to another transphobic, poisonous idea. I say this as a BDSM educator.

How could the performance have been better?

It could have been read faster and with a little less smugness. Mr. Queen misses the mark on an interpretation that would have made the book more tolerable but does capture excellently the intended over-confidence.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Great disappointment. It's not a BDSM handbook; it doesn't capture D/s; it excludes asexual BDSM which is the majority of the public scene.

Any additional comments?

As the book says "don't read this book." It was serious. Instead, read "The New Bottoming Book" as it is excellent. You can read "The New Topping Book" as well, but Bottoming was better. It's an excellent introduction. Next, look up your local BDSM educational organization. Alternatively, look up a kink/BDSM convention with courses. Westcoastbound.ca is a great example, costing only $100 for early early bird members and giving you actual practical skills including courses that focus specifically on D/s. Try making an account on fetlife.com and looking up local events. Those efforts will pay off a hundred fold what reading this book will - and they'll expose you to a healthier more holistic idea of what kinksters look like instead of this normative, prescriptivist garbage.

20 of 25 people found this review helpful

very well written

most realistic view I have encountered. I found this book eesy to understand as well as easily read. The personal stories brought to life what points were, nice touch.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

A very infomative and helpful read

If you are interested in BDSM this is the book for you, I loved it and highly recommend.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

love this book

very informative. I learned a lot form this book and I wish there where more books like this one

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

Unexpected insight on Human Personalities.

❤❤ Such a Surprise! Not only learned about BSDM but about ME as a person.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Excellent knowledge base!

I did not expect this book to contain as much humor as it did; it was a pleasant surprise. Filled with information and practical advise, this book has it all for both the novice and the "experienced" Ds relationship enthusiast.

3 of 5 people found this review helpful

Informative and funny

Enjoyable and funny listen. Very informative! Was actually disappointed when I finished the book! Wish he had more titles available.