America Unzipped : In Search of Sex and Satisfaction
America Unzipped by Brian Alexander is a fascinating look that the changing moral paradigms and sexual practices of the Heartland of Middle America. Things that would and did surprise me a bit. So much for “prevailing community standards” The onset of the Internet among other things has led to a lot of Middle America discovering their sexual sides, even if they would be horrified if their neighbors found out. The book points out to me, at least in my own mind the hypocrisy of the American people. Paying lip service to such concepts as “upholding Family Values” while being addicted to porn sites, or going to church on Sunday after attending a Swingers party on Sat night. These good upright moral people are actually having as much sex and investigating kinkier sides than I, as a gay man, have ever had.
Mr Alexander relates his experiences, investigating answers his readers have sent him, for his column on MSNBC, titled “Sexplotation”. Doing everything from working in an Adult Superstore, as well as interviewing a couple of Fundamentalist Christian preachers who do surprisingly, close to liberal sex educational sex seminars, on biblical sex. He also looks into a company that puts out all sorts of sex videos, toys, lube and has a “higher end” series of porn vids, the “Better Sex” series. He also goes as an observer to “Passion Parties”, which a kind of like Tupperware parties, except they sell sex toys and what we used to call marital aids . He investigates a BDSM club, and also goes to a Fetish Convention, goes to a sex club to observe, and investigates the rise of virtual sex. And how people use the Internet to find partners , arrange hook ups, watch porn, buy porn, blog about sex and porn, and do all sorts of thing. He puts an ad up on Adult Friend Finder to elicit responses from people on the site about how and why they use the site, as well as how successful it’s been for them.
In the midst of all of this writing about the sex practices of others, Mr Alexander comes across as somewhat less than open and full of hangups about his only sexuality. Still he writes in a factual, yet witty style. Shows no signs of judgment or contempt towards those who are kinkier than he is. If only more Americans would follow his lead. My only real objection is that he completely ignores the gay side of Middle America. But then that would make for another kind of book altogether. It’s still a slightly racy, yet fun filled, look at how Middle America really feels about and carries out it’s sexual side.
America Unzipped by Brian Alexander is Highly Recommended. Especially for prudish types who think their views are the predominant ones.
NOTE: Because I think a lot of people should read this book, our store is featuring the paperback version of this book, which has a different cover and is a bit cheaper/
