The Book of Massage: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Eastern and Western Techniques is a great guide for those without massage therapy training that want to be able to pamper a loved one with a soothing massage. This book was written by Lucinda Lidell. This particular book is a revised edition of the original Book of Massage first published in 1984. She is also the author of The Sivananda Companion to Yoga (published in 2000), The Sensual Body: The Ultimate Guide to Body Awareness and Self-Fulfillment (published 1988), and the Book of Yoga (published in 1983). I enjoyed her writing style very much and found that her instructions were simple to follow, especially when pair with the photos and the sketches of the techniques. The photography was done by Fausto Dorelli. At the beginning of the book the author includes a note and a caution. The note reads "In the Massage section, receivers are shown naked, since the book is intended mainly for use with partners and close friends. In professional massage, you will always use towels to cover the body." The caution reads "Always consult a doctor if you are in doubt about a medical condition, and observe the cautions and contraindications given in the book."

Speaking to the nudity in the book. In several pictures the buttocks and chest of several men and women are shown. No adult genitalia is shown. In one picture the pubic hair of a pregnant woman is visible. I tell all this for those who, like myself, are sensitive to viewing others outside of the spouse in the nude. Also this is important information for those who have children in the home.

This book serves as a guide for beginners in the area of massage and is intended primarily for personal sue not as professional instruction. As indicated in the title, this book covers both Western and Eastern styles of massage. Under the Western section she discusses oiling, basic strokes, and then specifically gives instruction for the back, legs, shoulders, neck, scalp, face, arms, and hands. At the end of this section she provides a very useful checklist that gives the reader a full massage plan from head to toe.

Under the Eastern section she discusses Shiatsu techniques. The main differences between the Western and Eastern massages are that the Eastern massage is connected to Eastern spiritual ideas and the mapping of the body so that each section of the massage relates to the health of a particular part of the body.

She finishes the book with tips and techniques for reflexology (massaging the feet), the importance of human touch, body reading, pregnancy massage, infant massage, self-massage, and massage for those in the later stages of life.