After reading this book, I realized my mother left A LOT out of "the talk" she gave me when I was 14 years old. As I recall, the subjects of orgasms, masturbation, STDs, and the numerous types of birth control were never covered. Of course, some of these things I learned in high school and college. But I've been pretty much in the dark on the more complex issues of role-playing, bondage, and sex toys. Enter THE BIG BANG and the creation of a new sexual universe.

Before I go much further, let me warn parents that this is not the book to hand your kids in lieu of the much dreaded parental responsibility of teaching them about safe sex. In fact, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone under the age of 18 due to its graphic images --- both mental and visual. That's not to say that this isn't a great book. While it thoroughly covers every angle of kink, it also covers the more important issues of protection from sexually transmitted diseases, choosing the right birth control, and maintaining a healthy sexual relationship.

Unlike most self-help books, THE BIG BANG doesn't get preachy. In fact, the advice it offers is presented in a matter-of-fact "it's all right if you didn't already know this" fashion. And even sexual maestros will learn something (I'd be willing to bet that even Casanova didn't know the nutritional content of semen). The book is written in a conversational style, though not one meant for mixed company. So while it's easy to read, it's not for the more sexually modest reader --- unless, of course, you're reading it in order to lose some of that sexual modesty. The authors have succeeded in making even the most eccentric topics seem perfectly acceptable, and it's all written in an educational manner. Kudos to Em and Lo for a job well done!