The Pimping of Prostitution: Abolishing the Sex Work Myth Paperback

Bindel's conclusions are well-documented in this unflinching look at the ugly reality of the sex industry. It's painful to read, as any such honest documentation of an on-going tragedy would be. But if one is willing to look without flinching, they will come away well-informed and prepared to argue against the common tropes thrown out by those who support so-called sex-work.

As someone who has been in the field combating commercial sexual exploitation for the last fifteen years, I believe that Julie Bindel's book should be required reading. She thoughtfully and systematically lays out the argument that the commercial sex industry is harmful and that the rhetoric surrounding it has been co-opted. Incredibly useful for anyone invested in pushing back at this multi-billion dollar industry that preys on the most vulnerable in our communities.

Excellent book detailing the MYTH of "sex worker" unions. Well done, Ms. Bindel.

I've been bothered by the people interviewed by the media for pro-decriminilization pieces, the whole "sex work is real work" viewpoint. They always seem to represent what must be a tiny minority of those being prostituted: articulate, un-coerced, un-trafficked, un-impoverished. This book reveals the forces behind these "spokespeople" and - unsurprisingly - finds them to be inseparable from the agenda of pimps and sex buyers and other mysoginistic abusers of women.This is an academically-oriented book, very heavy on facts, testimony, research, etc., so don't expect a light read or a surface examination. But, it is readable and I finished it over the course of two days since it was revealing so much that I was not previously aware of.Even when this book becomes dated (since it refers to so many dated studies, legislative efforts, etc.) it will still be valuable as a reference. She traces the anti-abolition movements far into the past, which demonstrates that the trends will extend into the future as well.Overall, a very necessary read for those of us who view the male-domination of society, and all the harm that flows from it, to be the premier injustice that continues in the world.

I ordered this in Jan. Only opened it up last night to discover several pages where ink was smeared.I'm past the return date! It is a new book ordered from Amazon, not 3rd party.I guess the ink was wet when they complied the book! And it was expensive!!!!

A great book, a must read for those who are interested in ‘sex work studies’, what ever opinion you have about that field.In literature term is it not a great master piece, feels little bit as a guerrilla street book, but it is a trailblazer nevertheless.Its a great book, and relative easy read, thus no need to further review. But one thing I specially liked that she mentioned the failure of ethnography and anthropology to investigate sex work. That one cannot loiter around a brothel and small talk with the ladies under the supervision of the pimps, and suppose you got a true review of the environment. You better of choosing social work as your field if you wish to study and help sex workers: maybe journalism, maybe criminology, too (I do not know), but not anthropology. I am really irritated about this specific topic, sometimes I feel scientific objectivism is an alibi for nihilism.I am really happy read that the sex trade survivor moment is growing.

This book was billed as the most thorough analysis of the sex trade ever presented and after reading it I can see why. Bindel leaves no stone unturned in interrogating the vested interests of the academics and so-called activists who press for the full decriminalisation of prostitution. The voices of the women who've been used in the brothels will leave you in no doubt about whether or not the author is on the right side of this issue. She interviewed fifty women who'd lived prostitution from all over the world. Their stories are harrowing, and the crucial point is that they are as bad or worse when they come from decriminalized and regulated systems. Pimps and johns will hate this book. It is far too revealing.

highly recommend

This very informative book uncovers the uncomfortable truth about the exploitation inherent in the misogynistic sex industry

GENIAL.Gran trabajo de investigación de desvela los hilos que mueven la industria del sexo y cómo han pasado de utilizar el miedo y la violencia a usar propaganda para atraer a mujeres al comercio sexual internacional. Desarmando argumentos, referenciando como nadie y demostrando que, cuando hablas con las mujeres prostituidas más vulnerables, lo último que quieren es un sindicato.

Eye-opening book. Would recommend to anyone who is interested in the sex positive movement in regards to prostitution. It really questions the entirety of the movement and it shows exactly who is benefited by it. Moreover it breaks the idea that access to sexual service is a human right and it tells the truth about the condition and the sex-trafficking of human-beings.

A very important book.

This a vital book which I recommend to anyone who wants to understand the issues Julie has tirelessly researched at great personal cost