Tristan Taormino is a sex genius, and not afraid to show it. In her second educational book, Down and Dirty Sex Secrets: The New and Naughty Guide to Being Great in Bed, she patiently uses not only her experiences in bed and from working at a sex toy shop, but also does exhaustive research to describe to her readers how to drive themselves and their partner wild. This articulate, precise book is extremely well-written and a very worth while investment.

Taormino doesn't just describe the physical aspects of sex (though she does devote chapters to anatomy, science and how orgasms work), but also the ideology behind sex. She discusses the bond between partners, what sex means, and how to have an understanding and deep respect for the human body and what it's capable of. I think that if teenagers read this book before they start having sex, if they would have a great start at respecting each other.

The step-by-step approach to pleasure and sex emphasizes sexual health, and describes everything you could possibly want to do in bed. From masturbation and hand jobs to anal sex, bondage, and plain-old missionary style sex, not one topic is missed. She even has little re-cap summary boxes through the chapters for quick reference guides. When it comes to sex toys and lubricants, she not only says what they are, but also describes how to use it and how they work, making dildos so much less intimidating. The resources in the back are helpful too because she doesn't go into tiresome detail on every aspect of sex. Many of her candid and astute descriptions enthralled me.

Taormino gets creative and kinky, devoting chapters to anal sex, BDSM, role playing|Sexy policewoman role play fantasy, porn, erotica and fantasy. But she doesn't encourage just doing what you, the reader, may want; she emphasizes communication with a partner.

Feminism plays a big role in the book, and she raises a lot of feminist issues regarding sex and health. Women have gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to research on the human body, orgasm and the understanding of female pleasure. She dispels the myths surrounding sex and women while enlightening the reader. She often reassures the reader that, "hey, it's OK to have those fantasies, it's OK to like it that way, women's bodies are all different and it's perfectly normal".

My favorite chapter was the chapter about porn and erotica, and the debate surrounding it. How could I, as someone who feels that porn degrades women, enjoy porn or erotica? She answers questions like these in a non-intimidating way, and I, personally, looked at porn in a new light.

One downfall, however, is that the book is solely aimed at women and women's pleasure (although she does mention lesbian couples, which is a big plus). Understandably, women are more inclined to read a book like this, but she could do more to address her potential male readers. Rarely does she address men in the book. This is not helpful when many women are shy in articulating exactly to their partner what they want.

This book is so empowering that it should be on the nightstand of every couple. It's a healthy approach to sex not just for the body, but also for the mind. It answers all the questions that many women are too embarrassed to ask and it goes way beyond the "birds and bees" lecture that your mom gave you.

The best way to summarize Down and Dirty Sex Secrets is to echo Taormino's mantra, "Do it because it feels good, do it because you want to, do it for you." I give this book my highest recommendation.