Monday, June 10, 2013

How to Make Love Like a Porn Star by Jenna Jameson

How to Make Love Like a Porn Star by Jenna Jameson
2004, It Books

Synopsis: In the underbelly of Las Vegas, a cesspool of warring biker gangs and seedy strip clubs transformed the gawky, brace-faced Jenna Massoli into the bombshell Jenna Jameson. Today, Jenna Jameson is the biggest star in the history of adult movies, consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful women alive. But behind the glamour and the meteoric rise to fame was a path paved with tragedy and heartbreak.

As a teenager drawn into a chaotic world ruled by rape, abuse, and murder, Jenna plunged into a downward spiral of addiction, even as she became one of the most photographed women in adult magazines. Determined to overcome this past, Jenna rebounded in the adult-film business, where she encountered sadistic directors, experienced lovers of both sexes, amorous celebrities (from Howard Stern to Marilyn Manson to Tommy Lee), bitter rival starlets, and finally, glory, as she went on to become the biggest porn star the world has ever seen. But her struggle for happiness did not end when the accolades began. For years she wrestled with her resentment at her estranged father, the loneliness of growing up from the age of two without a mother, and her enduring childhood desire to find a man who could give her the security and love she never had.

Her unforgettable memoir is many things at once: a shocking sexual history, an insider's guide to the secret workings of the billion-dollar adult-film industry, and a gripping thriller that probes deep into Jenna's dark past. An unparalleled exploration of sexual freedom, How to Make Love Like a Porn Star ventures far beyond the flesh, into the heart-shredding tragedies and adrenaline-pumping triumphs of a woman who has already lived a hundred lifetimes. Always witty and humorous even as she faces the demons of her past, Jenna offers hilarious anecdotes about one of the most controversial businesses in history, and shares outrageous advice, including her ten commandments of dating and sex, how to become a "suitcase pimp," and how to make it in the business as a female (or a male).

Add to this never-before-seen photographs from Jenna's private collection and others taken exclusively for this book, and the result is certain to be one of the most talked-about books of the year.


The Good: I was really sort of impressed with Jenna Jameson after reading this autobiography. She's been through so  much to get where she is, and she puts it all out there. The book didn't come off as though it had an agenda as some of these tend to. There was no feeling of attention seeking, excuses or seeking redemption - just the uncut story of her life. I, of course, loved the more scandalous aspects of the book - the celebrity tell-all stuff. I also loved how the book showed that not everything about celebrity life it glittery, as much as not all porn is degrading to women.

The Bad: Some aspects of Jenna's early life made me rather uncomfortable. While it was all part of her story and needed to be told, I question why she's chose to share these things. As much as I was impressed by Jenna after reading the novel, it didn't make me love her. It never struck the chord you get in autobiographies where you feel connected to the author. It felt more E! True Hollywood Story than anything else. It wasn't sympathetic which just kind of hit me as strange.

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