I'm currently reading a book by Emily Jenkins called "Tongue First" which explores female attitudes towards such things as strip clubs, tattoos, sex, substance misuse, drag artists, public nudity, alternative health treatments and much more.

I would imagine a lot of burlesque performers would enjoy this book as it's linked to gender empowerment and people's views towards the physical body and how it is used.

It's also interesting reading it from a male perspective - quite insightful for me!

Can anyone else recommend any good books, not necessarily strictly burlesque orientated.

Anything interesting and informative.

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striptease: the untold history of the girlie show, is supposed to be good, infact i'm off to buy a copy myself today.

For an academic look at things I can recommend Brian McNair's Striptease Culture.

It claims to explore this 'sexualization' of contemporary life, relating it to wider changes in post-war society. The books is divided into three sections, and first traces the development of pornography, following its movement from elite to mass culture and the contemporary fascination with 'porno-chic'.
He also considers popular cultural forms of sexual representation in the media.
Not much burlesque but a good read and brings up some interesting arguments!
He charts the history of pronography and the sexualisation

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It's a mini adventure

That sounds like a great read, Warren. One of my original reasons for getting into performance was to challenge - be it peoples opinions on gender, sexuality or even just clothing - so I think ill be nabbing a copy

I've just finished reading striptease - the untold story and I have to say I was a little disappointed, I guess in part, because of the fab reviews it got when it was recently republished.

I found Dita's book a lot more entertaining and easier to read, and it has more cute pictures! (I've actually got a competition running on my site at the moment to win a signed copy if you're after one - www.whatkatiedid.com - oh and sign up for my affiliate scheme if you have your own site - I've been wanting to plug it here but feel it's a little 'off' to self promote, but as I've done it already I may as well)

Don't get me wrong, striptease covers everything you need to know, but does start at the absolute beginning (18th century) and over 100 pages of the book are notes and bibliography! What I'd really like is a book about the staging, costumes and shows - any takers?

Katie

Feel free! As much shameless promotion as possible is a good thing! This is the best place for it too

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Kittie Klaw - The Ministry Of Burlesque
"Together We CanCan".

Find out more at.
www.kittieklaw.com
www.ministryofburlesque.com

I think a trip to my local library beckons.

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i was given dita's book as a birthday pressent, lots of lovey pics, lots of ideas for new costumes for my friends and my good self :LOVE: , and very easy to read! i think its more about the pictures. but she is a beauty after all

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i love you, you lunatic!