book price rant

[Hajar]

So a sub on a site I post on happened to be looking for a book on my short list of must buys.
I've read it already, and love it, but figured I didn't need to buy it right away, until I saw the price while looking, prices for To Love, To Obey, To Serve by Vi Johnson ranged from 90 to 199 dollars.
This is a book I've told every sub new to the lifestyle they must read, I understand that it's due to be re-released in 2006, but must the price be sooo high?
I understand demand but it's just too high.
here ends my rant.

 

[D's mariposa]

I Googled cause it sounded a bit high. Amazon came out at 89.95 pre s&h. Amazon is also one of the higher priced alternatives. I know it's out of print, but these guys here claim they have it in stock for a list price of 16.95usd.

kingky books

Now then, what you may want to do is try, (if you can handle the embarassment factor) is order it through a bricks and mortar outlet. I ordered my "screw the roses" from Borders. It took forever, (almost 3 months) for them to find it, and it was out of print at the time. But the did get it for me, and AT the list price. Which was sort of funny, since I think Amazon and Borders are now under the same corporate umbrella. (Unless its Amazon and Barnes and Noble.) Amazon had "roses" at about $45usd.

As for it being a "must read", I'm not so sure about that. I wandered in the twilight fringe between the bdsm and 'nilla worlds for about 8 years before crossing over. I've been with D for nearly 3 years now. I've never even heard of it til about 18 months ago. It sounds interesting, and if I can pick it up for a reasonable amount, I'll read it. But I'm not really missing it, I don't think.

 

[Netzach]

It is a must-read but I had no idea my copy was worth anything remotely like that much!!!!

 

[catalina_francisco]

Perhaps this is another way to censor the word from getting out too much about the joys of our lifestyle/kink....or making us pay for it!!

Catalina http://www.smilies4you.de/content/sonstige/c82.gif

 

[Hajar]

It is a must-read but I had no idea my copy was worth anything remotely like that much!!!!

I'm sorry D's mariposa, I'm with Netzach, I've read it about 3 times, and love it.
I think it's one of the most truthful views of the old guard I've ever read.
It also helps that I'm black and for me it was an affirmation to read how she grew thru her slavery and owners.
Also I see many ppl get up in arms if a dominant does the slightest thing and her's was in most views abusive and yet she grew, some how.
And she's pretty much the face of black submissives, when you research.

Thank goodness someone on my home group has directed me to a group that has (he thinks) some autographed copies, so I will be buying my copy and sourcing another for the subbie who started my search.

Perhaps this is another way to censor the word from getting out too much about the joys of our lifestyle/kink....or making us pay for it!!

Catalina what upset me about this is not 6 months ago this book was under $30, then they all disappeared and came back listed at these new prices.
But then I've noted that I find that lots of ppl have the toys and extras but have no idea how to throw a flogger and really think that it's all about how cute they look in leather at the club or what have you, and they will pay 200 for a book, even if they don't read it.
But that's a whole other peeve and topic.

 

[Despina]

Is the book more (or only) beneficial to submissives?

~D

 

[D's mariposa]

I'm sorry D's mariposa, I'm with Netzach, I've read it about 3 times, and love it.
I think it's one of the most truthful views of the old guard I've ever read.
It also helps that I'm black and for me it was an affirmation to read how she grew thru her slavery and owners.
Also I see many ppl get up in arms if a dominant does the slightest thing and her's was in most views abusive and yet she grew, some how.
And she's pretty much the face of black submissives, when you research.

Thank goodness someone on my home group has directed me to a group that has (he thinks) some autographed copies, so I will be buying my copy and sourcing another for the subbie who started my search.

To each his own, ladies; I wasn't aiming for rude or dismissive. I had just heard differently is all. But since you both recommend it highly I'll give it a shot. I do want to read it; but I look askance at "must read"s ever since my 6th grade teacher convinced me that "The Old Man and the Sea" was a must read for any "real" student. We do have an outstanding used shop here where I've found some really obscure treasures of the bdsm (and other) kind, so I'll keep a look out and snag one if I can. (Or two, for your friend, too.)

 

[Netzach]

Vi's diary will break your heart, uplift you, touch you and change the way you think about slavery -either your own or that given to you by someone you love.

I hate to sound like a book jacket blurb. But...

This woman is a treasure, her book really is the ideal antidote to the "shrinking violet" sub stuff you see on the net and so widely these days. I would kill to have a slave like Vi as she describes herself, only I doubt I'm cut of tough enough stuff to deserve and keep one - I strive to be.

Her owners dispel our romantic notions of the Old Guard as a self-policingly safe place of days gone by. They were fruitcakes for the most part. The slave emerges as the lifeblood of the code of Honor in the old guard...Vi's contracts with *herself* were the ones that held her, her own incredible sense of ethics and will.

I also agree with what Hajar says about race - there are few stories about Leather predecessors of color, but they certainly exist and existed.

I think having a sense of role model and belonging is important for everyone, and Vi is a good role model for just about anyone in the scene, and her diary is a damn good memoir read for anyone in any scene.

FWIW, the publisher of my copy is Mystic Rose books in fairfield CT, the price was 17.95 list.

 

[Hajar]

well I have found a source for the book, I'm happy happy happy
esp as it's no where near 200.

Despina I don't think it's is just for subs, my Sir read it and was very touched

I can't add anything to what Netzach has said, besdies to say it's not only how she describes herself, but her actions since being outed, she has never strayed from her code, all who know her speak highly of her, and for that she deserves every accolade given, because she's influenced this is now 3 generations of lifestylers and all speak highly of her, and it's damn hard to even get 3 ppl to agree futher more generations.

D's mariposa I didn't think you were rude, we all have our views and that's it.