The Christy Report

Porn historian Kim Christy’s brilliant and beautifully comprehensive visual recounting of the history of porn, is a must have for any adult interested in erotica and its history. No, this book isn’t for the conservative or prudish, (if that’s you, what the hell are you doing at this site anyway?,) but for those of us who see erotica and some pornography as art, and a valid intellectual exploration.

Human sexuality is a part of who we all are, like it or not, and The Christy Report is not some overly clinical take on porn and its history, but rather a beautiful and fun look at the history of sex as entertainment. The photos in this book cover it all, decade by decade we are led through a string of sexually explicit images that seem as natural and human as anything.

If you are a coffee table book fanatic, (as we clearly are here at Mondopopsickle.com,) it will be difficult to not own this gorgeous book. Taschen fans will appreciate that Taschen once again puts out a book that he might have gotten people arrested for in a different time. Taschen supports artists and themes that might not always be embraced by the general public, but might be even more important than those flushed down the mainstream.

Though, The Christy Report is more of a visual exploration, there is a wonderful series of opening essays and a postscript by one of my personal heroes, Dian Hanson.

Like with all of Taschen’s books, you will be drawn to this book again and again, finding yourself spending hours examining these pages and the moments preserved. The Christy Report is like a textbook for those who don’t buy adult magazines for the articles, but are smarter than the average smut seeker. The Christy Report is a glorious celebration of America’s favorite pastime that people won’t admit to, porn!

Terry Osterhout
Summer 2005