I have read many books related to the Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, and Masochism (BDSM) lifestyle and over the years Screw The Roses... is still the first book I recommend for all newbies to read. The authors are factual, concise, humorous, and thorough in their introduction to the various aspects of BDSM. Additionally, the contents offer just the right mix of information to picque the reader's interest into taking a deeper journey into reflection and self-analysis and continuing the exploration of BDSM.

Everything was great with this transaction. I only got to read a little of it before Sir whisked it away with him. He is working out of state so I won't get to finish until I am able to reunite with Him.

This book seems to cover it all. Would help a newby like myself. Or a veteran in bdsm lifestyle. It explains most lifestyles, bondage, toys. Explains emotions love how you can live the life with it. And all in a funny way so not boring or put you to sleep. A must have for all new people into bdsm lifestyle. The authors are male (Dom) female (slave) so written with that in mind. For the ease of having to write everything W/we S/she. so on. Dont think would offend anyone. For me awesome read.

While the content/hard facts supplied and ethos of this book is great (which is why it has had so many good reviews I guess), the proliferation of super-daggy b/w pictures from the late 80s really makes me cringe a bit (they are are not funny-daggy, just daggy-daggy) and I am not too comfortable with the baby-boomer-and-proud "offbeat" humour littered throughout the text (my parents are baby boomers; the thought of baby boomers doing BDSM is a real turn off for me). Jay Wiseman's SM101 is much the better book (the information is similar, but without the wisecracks, bad pics and smug references to whatever generation it is that he belongs to). I kind of regret getting this book and I would not recommend it others (unless there really were no other good BDSM books on the market) - but, to its credit, the information seems trustworthy and credible (which is why I do not regret buying it altogether). It's just that, had I known about its pitfalls I would have stuck to Jay Wiseman, the Knotty Boys and surfing the internet.

I enjoyed this book very much.. for people who are thinking about getting in to the life style this book is a great learning tool

If you don't have any other books on BD,S&M then this is a good one. Amusing as well as informative. I started reading and it tied me up for hours.

Well-written, in spite of numerous typos. The authors convey a lot of solid info, often using humor and personal experience. They advocate and encourage SSC and RESPECTFUL play. Although written with a male Dominant/female submissive approach, it is equally applicable to any other combination. And no, this concept is not at all degrading to women. It does, in fact, inspire appreciation, consideration, and respect (there it is again) of those in a submissive role. Excellent reading whatever role you take. If you have not read it, I recommend you send your sub out for a copy soon. She does not have to feel embarrassed, unless she wants to.

Thank goodness this book was written! The style is quirky and funny, the subject Submission and Domination. Written by a loving couple with loving couples in mind, it does touch (sometimes roughly!) on game play, the joy of surrender and yearning, the 'chess game' mental anticipation of s/m. It ain't all leather and lace, it is a lifestyle choice. the authors cover the safe use of ropes, toys, restraints and pain as a form of sexual sport s/m rarely gets. Good s/m takes HOURS and this book describes the process and results with good cheer and truthfull expertise. The photos are informational and often passionless, but some will open many eyes and conversations.

This book was recomended to me over and over. It is a very good reference.

A good overall guide to the alternative lifestyle. Miller & Devon especially do a great job of familiarizing the reader with the various interests within the community as well as introducing the full gamut of variations available to D/s and BDSM enthusiasts, and they provide a clear and non-threatening exposition of the "safe, sane and consensual" approach to erotic sensation play and D/s relationships. Bravo!

This is a very good book with great ideas, and suggestions for those of us that are starting to swim in deeper water. I have read other books on the subject, and this one surpasses all of them. The ideas are presented from both the male, and female side. I truly recommend this book.

A great resource for the beginner into BDSM. It helps to explain a lot of the feelings and ideas that go into what makes BDSM so real. It takes it from a bedroom kink and puts it into a real lifestyle. A must read for those who are curious about alternative lifestyles.

Thank you so much, Philip and Molly! Finally a book about BDSM, that is comprehensive, funny beyond all the standard jokes, a true literary achievement and not only a listing of techniques, toys and safety procedures.

Which does not mean they're not in there. Obviously, all the basic What-Not-To-Dos are covered in depths. But what makes this book outstanding are the chapters on the psychology of pain and submission. Here the authors' experience speaks in every sentence. Serious, deep, theoretical analysis and practical ramifications receive equal attention; I felt I was learning with every page I read.

What this book has:
- Actual "manuals" how to introduce kinky ideas to partners with zero experience
- A realistic outlook on how people start to get into this business
- Real-life stories which bear relevance to pretty much anyone
- EVERYTHING you need to know about BDSM, at first. Everything beyond belongs into specialised books

What this book does NOT feature, thankfully:
- Desperate attempts to please all sexual orientations, usually resulting in an illegible mixup of he/she/he-she s and all this
- Boring dwellings on irrelevant side-topics that about 1/1000 of people are interested in

I think this book is a pure pleasure to read for both subs and doms, even though it obviously holds more advice for doms (which suited me fine). I consider myself a beginner with some experience, by the way.

The only slight criticism is the poor printing quality which renders some of the pictures less erotic than I am sure they would otherwise be. By the way, don't be fooled by the number of pages, it comes in textbook format and considerably exceeds most other readers in volume. So if you are exploring BDSM, just shave a few bucks off your next $300 toy shopping and click the "Buy Now" button, will ya?!?

I'm no expert in this area - got the book as an introduction BDSM - so I can't judge how thoroughly the field of knowledge is covered, or how good the advice is. The authors treat the reader with respect, and I learned a lot from the book. The printing and design are a bit amateurish, but this book does not pretend to be artsy. It's just a practical book, and for that I like it.

I'm no expert in this area - got the book as an introduction BDSM - so I can't judge how thoroughly the field of knowledge is covered, or how good the advice is. The authors treat the reader with respect, and I learned a lot from the book. The printing and design are a bit amateurish, but this book does not pretend to be artsy. It's just a practical book, and for that I like it.

Quite simply one of the best out there.

Together Philip Miller, who is dominant, and Molly Devon, a submissive, has written a book that contains more or less everything you'd ever want to know about sadomasochism, bondage, dominance/submission, and alternative and different sexual and non-sexual relationships. They both have lots of experience, and when they wrote Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns, which was first published in 1995, they managed to put together what must be one of the most complete guidebooks ever written about these matters.

It's nothing new, there's thousands and thousands of help-yourself books dealing with human sexuality out there; but what makes this couple's contribution so different is that they write with a great sense of humor. And humor might not be the first thing you associate with stern Masters, tied-up slaves, and weird underground-clubs where people wearing freaky outfits do the freakiest things you could ever imagine.

But BDSM is, as the authors point out, something that's a great deal of FUN, and completely harmless and definitely not "wrong", as long as you know how to do it correctly. Some people want sex to be soft, sweet, romantic, and accompanied by the voice of Julio Iglesias. And some prefer to be tied up, whipped, humiliated, and dealt with brutally by a Master with a whip in his hand or a Mistress with stilettos and a thick strap-on. If you belong to this latter category, then please, don't miss this book.

Because this is one thorough piece of writing, written the perspective of the man being the dominant one with the woman being the submissive one, simply because that's how the authors' relationship looks. But as they themselves make very clear: their view of BDSM is not meant to be universal in any way, and thus both hetero- and homosexuals can make full use of this book.

Some of the issues dealt with include: what's it like being dominant? Being submissive? How do you communicate to make sure no one gets hurt? What different kinds of bondage techniques are there? How do you use your whip correctly? How do you furnish your dungeon? What kind of people can be found in the BDSM-scene? What material are you to use if you want to make your own toys?

And much, much, MUCH more. The book, furthermore, has a large number of pictures and illustrations, an extensive glossary, addresses to different companies and related organizations (mainly in the U.S. though), different internet addresses, fetish magazines, recommended books (both fiction and non-fiction), and more. So in other words, if you're into this way of life, no matter if you're experience or a beginner, you'll sure to find this book a real bargain. The only setback is the constant sense of humor that permeates every part of the book. Sometimes the text deals with quite serious stuff, and on these occasions the humor is nothing but redundant. However, this setback must still be considered to be only a minor one.

This is my favorite of the several S&M "how to" books that I have read. It's funny! And that makes it a good read, while you absorb very useful information such as where not to flog your submissive so they don't end up with kidney failure (it's good to know, I rather like my boyfriend having working kidneys), or how to make different types of cloth gags (I live in an apartment, so I don't want my neighbors complaining when he screams).

It's good for a wide treatment of different S&M practices, and for specific stuff, there are plenty of references in the index about where to go. One of my favorite things about this book is its attention to the psychological dimension of S&M, rather than just the physical mechanics. Enjoy the book and enjoy hurting each other. =)

This is my favorite of the several S&M "how to" books that I have read. It's funny! And that makes it a good read, while you absorb very useful information such as where not to flog your submissive so they don't end up with kidney failure (it's good to know, I rather like my boyfriend having working kidneys), or how to make different types of cloth gags (I live in an apartment, so I don't want my neighbors complaining when he screams).

It's good for a wide treatment of different S&M practices, and for specific stuff, there are plenty of references in the index about where to go. One of my favorite things about this book is its attention to the psychological dimension of S&M, rather than just the physical mechanics. Enjoy the book and enjoy hurting each other. =)

Excellent book, easy reading, well written, and very informative. I especially liked the beginning chapters which explained what it is that we do, and why. There is also a lot of practical advice on how to do various things, toy making, connecting with support resources, etc. I found this book very "real world", for people living this real time. Beginners and experienced folks alike should find it useful reading.

Excellent book, easy reading, well written, and very informative. I especially liked the beginning chapters which explained what it is that we do, and why. There is also a lot of practical advice on how to do various things, toy making, connecting with support resources, etc. I found this book very "real world", for people living this real time. Beginners and experienced folks alike should find it useful reading.

This book as as entertaining as it is informative. The wonderful couple that gifted us with this insight into their world, beckons anyone who dares to travel their path.

Never before have I ever encountered such a well explained wealth of knowledge, on such a "taboo" subject, that admittedly, I myself had misconceptions about. Now I am a part time player, and couldn't be enjoying it more. This book sheds much warranted light into this dark play.

Not only for novices, and veterans, this book is a good read for even the slightly curious. If anything you will have a better idea about the lifestyle, and will recieve a good chuckle or two.

This is an excellent book for beginner and veteran. The book is huge and has a wealth of information. There are excellent diagrams and step by step directions on everything from making your own toys, (floggers, whips, paddles, spreader bars)to the proper way to fist and flog. The roping information is much more informative then anything you learned in the Boy Scouts. LOL This book is by far the best read on the subject. I have read several including The New Topping and Bottoming book. They do not even compare to this book.

This is the book to remove the myths and misconceptions of bdsm in an intelligent and entertaining way. Anyone who is the least bit interested in expanding their insight to human sexuality and more intimate relationships should read this book. The authors do not keep anything from the reader, and if they are opposed to something, they openly admit it. I suggest this to be in anyone's library who wants to have an intelligent and enlightened sexual knowledge base to keep their life exciting and fulfilling.

I learned a great deal about both myself and my partner from this book. There were certian things I did not even know were possibilities, or where they were coming from. This book helped me understand a lot more about BDSM and painted it in a light that is fun for anyone to read and enjoy.

This was the first book I bought on BDSM, several years ago... and I'm glad!
It's humorous and informative. Even today, I refer it as the quintessential reference on BDSM

It's been around, and remains a favorite, for good reason. Comprehensive and informative, it presents tips and techniques for the casual or lifestyle D/s'er with humor and ease.

This primer is ideal for beginners and intermediaries looking to expand their knowledge. It stands out as especially thorough and well-balanced, due in part, no doubt, to Philip and Molly's joint efforts as male and female, dominant and submissive. The included lists of suggested resources were especially helpful; i thought the pictures were actually fairly silly and unnecessary. Most of the techniques are helpful more for Doms, but as a sub i definitely found it enjoyable and informative, and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who shares the interest.

I found this book very helpful and informative. Good for those who don't believe that submissive means powerless.

Maybe this book would be all right for hets - fem sub, male dom - who are just starting to poke around, but I found the book so boring and touchie-feelie and cutesy that I found myself detesting it in no time. I could barely make it through and finished it only out of a strange sense of morbidity. It's like passing by an accident on the highway. You can't just "not look." This book is like a freaking paint by numbers. No, it's worse than that - it might as well be a coloring book. When will the "find it" word game show up? I was expecting a Captain Kangaroo pop up with every turn of the page. I have no idea what people are seeing in this book. It might be passable for beginners who want to be naughty and poke around, but it certainly shouldn't be touted as the "best book" in its class. Well, not unless it's the ONLY book in its class and the "class" has been held back several grades and sentenced to perpetual summer school. Even the cover is annoying with that twirlie script-like font and the "naughty" soccer-mom-like woman blindfolded and waiting to be "taken" in the picture. Can I wretch now? Looks like an ad for dish detergent rather than the cover of a book describing SM. Completely takes the passion out of leathersex and power dynamics but may be good for kindling in one's fireplace.

"Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns" is an excellent foray into the world of SM and sexuality in general. Written with humor and a natural love of all things leather the authors easily lead the reader on a fascinating and fun-filled ride. If you only read the sections on human sexuality "Phillip's Treehouse" and "Molly's Quilting Bee" you will learn something vastly important in all things sexual. I cannot rate this book high enough since both my wife and I have feverishly read it and both enjoyed it. If you plan on exploring the world of SM or just want a non-baised tour this book will not lead you astray.

Screw the Roses was a facinating and informative read for me. I didn't know much about BDSM other than reading books like "Breaking the Girl" (erotica) but that lead me to want to understand the dynamics of these relationships and what they're all about. In the end, I find, it's about the love and the trust. The book explains that beautifully.

This book is great for anyone curious about the BDSM lifestyle. It is written as though a few friends were explaining it all to you, not in a cold clinical fashion. In addition to the great information, there are some beautiful photographs that really show how much affection the participants have for each other. If you are new to S&M, Domination/submission, or bondage/discipline - or if you know someone in the lifestyle and want to understand them better - this is a fantastic book!

"Screw the roses..." is one of the best BDSM how to books ever written. It is well written, informative, and readable. The images and text provide a good look into the world of kink and offer much easy to absorb information for anyone from the complete vanilla novice to the experienced fetishist. I had always been a sub because i didn't know how to be a dom and after reading this book I can switch, but more often then not I play dom now. I recomend this book to everyone with any intrest in the BDSM scene.

When I was a kid I'd page through the National Geographic, looking at the pictures, reading the captions, and occasionally reading some of the text on a page that looked interesting. I found myself doing the same thing with "Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns." The book has pictures on almost every page. Text subheads tell you at a glance what each section is about. It's easy to page through it, read the sections that interest you, and skip the rest.

The chapter on what toys to buy will save you many times the price of the book. The anatomy chapter makes it easy to understand where to do what to your partner, and what areas could be injured. The chapter about "flying" or mystical experience is interesting. The chapter about the types of people you'll meet at clubs is funny. The themes repeated in every chapter, on every page, are communication, respect, and safety.

I can't give the book 5 stars because the photo reproduction is awful. It looks like 1980s positive mechanical transfer (PMT), a cheap process made obsolete by computers. I read probably 10% of the text. I tried several times, but the writing rarely held my attention. But that's not a problem -- National Geographic readers probably read less than 10% of the articles, yet enjoy the magazine.
--
Thomas David Kehoe, author of "Hearts and Minds: How Our Brains Are Hardwired for Relationships"

As a friend of mine asked me for a book to show to her hubby ,for getting him into bdsm ,i told her to buy this book."Screw the roses ,send me thorns"is a fun to read beginner book.It definatly takes the fear of "strange kink" away from any vanilla reader.
For me, as profesional Dominatrix it was amusing,but not really helpfull.Nothing new for a advanced or experienced player

This book is wonderful for people with all levels of BDSM knowledge. It's a great way to get you and your partner on the same page as to what to expect when you play. This book offers well thought out opinions on, proper techniques, club etiquette, why we like what we do, and how to know when you're doing it correctly. Too many of us try to just "jump in" with little to no information. That's how people get physically and emotionally hurt. This book really helps people to have the best BDSM experience possible, weather it is beginning, intermediate, or advanced.. It's well written, casual and humorous too! I personally have recommended this book to hundreds of couples, and singles, with all levels of BDSM knowledge in the Washington Metro area and I know I will continue to do so for many more years to come.

The authors' light yet informative discussion of this subject make this book a must-read for the curious, the new practitioner and the light-at-heart lover of sm (sadism and masochism). I thought the chapter on 'the politics of very strange bedfellows' was hilarious yet true to life - you can find the 'Semper Infidelis', the 'Barnum Maximus', the 'Erectus Perpetua' and the 'Femme Desparata' at almost any bdsm gathering or website. There were some very helpful hints in the book - for example I witnessed a woman being burned clumsily by a person who would have known to hold the dripping candle more than a couple of inches from her body had he read the 'Fire and Ice' advice in the book (start a several feet away and gradually get closer).
All in all I am glad I read the book - it has kept me safer, saner and a lot less serious in the practice of this wonderful game.

i don't know Mistress Prima Donna's problem is; this is a wonderful book. "Different Loving" is a valuable overview of the history and culture of the Scene, but it won't tell you how to tie someone up or what parts of the body are safe to whip, and its dry, textbook approach would put most newcomers off.

"Screw the Roses" is warm, witty, engaging, and fun, and it's loaded with practical "how-to" information. Phillip and Molly demystify and explain BDSM with an engaging enthusiasm and droll humour that would put almost anyone at ease. Between these pages the stereotype of "S&M" as a dark and shameful activity practised by perverted weirdos is transformed into a cheerful and friendly community populated by real human beings.

i'm on the Board of the Columbus chapter of the National Leather Association, and i often work with newcomers to the Scene. When they ask about books, i recommend this one first. There's more to learn about flogging, or bondage, or submission, or the other things we do, but "Screw the Roses" is the perfect beginner's book, with all the information (especially about safety) you need to get started, packed into a fun, unthreatening package. i can't say enough good things about this book.

A great book to lead you into the world of BDSM or to lead you further. The Dominant and submissive point of view is nice for both aspects to delve into understanding their own, and their partners line of thinking. A must for any bondage collection.

This book is a good buy for the novice S&M-er or anyone who is interested in exploring the lifestyle. It is very informational but inteeresting and easy to understand. It gives simple instructions on how to tie ropes, make erotic rope outfits and how to use equipment safely and effectively. It touches on every issue imaginable.

One of the two must read books for this culture, the other being sm101 by Jay Wiseman.My introduction into this lifestyle occurred some 20+ years ago with "The Joy of Sex" which only scratched the surface. Screw the Roses is an owners manual for both newbies and experienced bondage lovers alike. The section on how to find bondage partners is very useful especially finding the right partner. To paraphrase the title; Screw the Roses, Bring out the Ropes: Let's have fun and make love.CELEBRATE LIFE!

The reviews for this book are extensive, with most recommending this book for beginners, which I agree with. The book seems especially appropriate for people who may otherwise think SM is a bizarre and scary activity that appeals only to deviants. I think it would be an excellent way of introduction for a vanilla partner. What's good about this book-for me at least-was almost completely overshadowed by the cutesy, juvenile attempts at humor that are found thoughout the book. Perhaps it "lightens up" the subject matter, but I found these attempts at humor tedious. Also, the illustrations and B&W photography is dreadful. They look like 3rd generation copies. The illustrations of knots and bondage-among other things-are pretty much useless since they're so unclear they can't be followed. While whether one appreciates the writing style is a subjective matter, there's no excuse for poor quality illustrations and photographs in a how-to book. Unfortunately, these are major flaws in what would otherwise be a good intro. to SM. I would expect better quality for a book in this price range.

Got this book because of the reviews that it was the best. Nope. Don't think so. If you are into dungeons and heavy stuff, okay, but for just a little bit of fun now and then, this is not the book to purchase. Lots of pictures of bondage and heavy flogging instruments. Not your average everyday information on fun diversions.

This is a good introductory guide on BDSM for heterosexual, male dominant and female submissive couples and for others who view BDSM as a form of sexual and romantic play. It is not, as some reviewers both on the book itself and elsewhere, claim the most complete BDSM guide today -- it never claims to be that either. It is simply what it claims, one couples' view of BDSM that may click well with others of a similar bent. However, the tone is a bit sarcastic at times and a bit "in scene" at other times and this may confuse very new people so I recommend other books such as the "Topping Book" and the "Bottoming Book" by Greenery Press first and if you can find a copy, Pat Califia's "Sensuous Magic" as a basic intro to the activities of SM. In 1,000 words there is little time to go into all the good and bad points about this book but I hope this can aid in deciding whether or not to buy.

Kinky, but sadly..not very filling. It has some infomation on how to construct random items in bondage, medical info on where to hit and not, medical info on where to not tie a person up, GREAT humor, a FEW good photos..but much else..not too much else.

Sadly, for such a beautful and kinky name and cover..it don't quite live up to it all. Still good with the info, GREAT for mewbies..or those curious. Nothing for novice and seasoned players.

When I was first learning about SM, I was full of the usual stereotypes and misinformation about it. IMHO, to understand and appreciate SM, it is essential for one to realize that SM turns everything on its head. 'Nothing is what it seems', so to speak. Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns does that better than any other book I've read on the subject, and it does so with abundant love. After reading a few pages of Molly Devon and Philip Miller's book, my unfounded fears about what SM was began to melt away. The book is written with so much love and playfulness that one cannot help but see and feel it. And once the fear from all those inaccurate myths is dispelled, there is room for the *delicious* fears with which safe, sane, and consensual SM abounds. And the loving playfulness is contagious! For these reasons (in addition to those discussed by other reviewers), I highly recommend this book, *especially* for all novices. It is my very favorite! Read, learn, and enjoy.....yummmmm!!

This book is basically two parts - the first one on S&M philosophy/background/psychology/etc. Read this part thru from start to finish. The second half is more of a how-to, and covers a wide range of interests. Try out the ones you like...they are fairly self contained, though there are sections that relate and build on each other. Overall, a great book.

This book is absolutely delightful. It's informative and humorous. I'd like to give it 4.5 stars, but amazon.com won't let me.

Rather than repeat what everyone else has already said about this book's many, many good points, I'll just point out my two teensy little criticisms.

First, even though I know the authors explained the whole bit about their having a male dominant/female submissive perspective, I still found that this detracted slightly from my enjoyment of the book. I know writers should write what they know, and I also understand that putting in a whole lot of that "his or her" stuff can make for some very awkward sentence construction. Nevertheless, a hefty portion of the population (myself included) is going to feel a little weird reading, "OK, guys, here's what to do when your submissive lady needs a..."

My other criticism, and this is a very minor one, concerns the parodies of the "forgettable characters" on pages 45-47. They're funny, but judgmental. I found the "Very Married, but..." section kind of rankled--maybe it hit a little close to home. The authors should be aware that there are thousands of people out there who are otherwise happily married to vanilla spouses, and are tempted to play outside their marriage, but refrain from doing so on principle. I think that's commendable. I don't think that remaining faithful despite temptation indicates a "lack of courage". Quite the contrary. It's the spineless ones who cheat. The rest of us either convince our spouses to engage in some light play (the lucky ones) or find a harmless outlet, like chatting. People who are fortunate enough to have come to terms with their kinks while they are young and single are just that - fortunate - not superior.

Overall, though, I agree with what everyone else is saying - this book is terrific.

I highly recommend this book for all people who are inerested in learning about BDSM in its many facets. Even if you are an experienced player,this book should be on your shelve as a reference guide. I continually refer back to this book for helpful hints,good ideas and updates. The only thing I did nit like ,which is a personal opinion, was instead of being written from a general point of view, it is definitely written from a male dominant one. I understand authors write from thier own perspective, but I felt for a general guide to BDSM, a view from all gender aspects or a non-gender one may have been better.

"Screw the Roses..." is the answer to a thousand curiosities the uninitiated might have about the psychology of the world of SM and of its citizens. In addition to the thorough exposition on the mindset of SM people, it offers buckets of practical tips and advice for all, from beginner to experienced player/participant. The humor begins with the title and the disclaimer just inside, and extends all the way to the end, making "Screw the Roses..." probably the most amusing book available on psycho-sexuality. It is written from the authors' perspective of male dominant/female submissive, and though the rationale for doing so is presented respectfully and tastefully, it occasionally takes a bit of mental effort to apply an appropriate transposition. The pages on the basic psychology alone make this a worthy purchase; the coverage of so many other topics (tips & techniques, furnishing your dungeon/playroom, etc.) make this a book not to be missed if you have even the lightest interest or curiosity in SM.