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Grady Harp wrote on 05/09/2010:

'Belle du jour', 'The Story of O', articles in Playgirl, films, documentaries etc seem to saturate the market on the topic of female call girls. But here, courtesy of the very fine conception and writing of David Leddick and Heriberto Sanchez, the spotlight is turned to men as escorts (thought the name of the service provided is interchangeable with 'hustler', 'rent boys' etc), and the result is a very informative, sophisticated book that explores the lives of forty escorts with interviews, background data, commentary, and yes, photographs by David Vance. For those who are expecting a racy book this may not be the answer to that search, but what does come across here is a compendium of the world of men who for various reasons (appetite, monetary, danger, feelings of lack of self worth, etc) have become escorts.

The introduction by Leddick is genuinely kind and considerate of the journey the book is about to take and he makes the reader feel as though each of the forty men interviewed and discussed could very well be close friends. It may come as a surprise to some that many of these escorts are well educated men who work part time in the field - some being married (and whose wives know about their avocation and the good money it brings!), some as physical trainers who select their clientele with judicious caution, and some who simply enjoy what they do to bring satisfaction to their male and female customers. Included with the survey of each of the men (some are paired, being a couple duo for business, too) are their ads and reading the ads followed by reading the information about each of the men is humorous at times, and touching at other times. The subjects are from around the world and the added information about the quality of clientele in the various cities explored is story enough for a book. Yes, there are shared 'bad encounters' enough to make the book ring a bit raucous. But for the most part here are forty very photogenic and healthy gentlemen who ply their part in the world's oldest profession - and why. It is refreshing to see the quality of photography and writing and the dignity with which this book presents a scintillating subject. Recommended for all curious adult readers.

Grady Harp

Grady wrote on 05/09/2010:

Mike Albo has talent to burn. This adroitly written diary/memoir/fantasia of the past and current struggles of a young man to establish a meaningful relationship in a world that is centered on transience is at once humorous (even hilarious) and soulful (even sad). Albo cleverly writes as though this were an autobiogrphical confession, so much so that it is difficult not to buy in to every bizarre recall and projection. How much of this is fantasy, how much reportage? To this reader there is no discerning that line. Much of main character Mike's recounting of his childhood sexual fantasies and acting out sound like terrific stand-up comedian material, but since they are so carefully woven into the fabric of his young adult escapades as the novel speeds along, they gain credence, and in making all of this story credible, Albo forces us to examine the sociology of the last quarter of the 20th Century. There is a lot of stern observation about our status as social beings. And I think this is the test of a really fine humorist: Make 'em laugh like crazy until they go home and, in solitude, think and even cry a bit. A solid Bravo for Hornito!
Grady