Brothel: Mustang Ranch and Its Women
14 journalers for this copy...
A journey into a fascinating subculture, Alexa Albert's exploration of Nevada's infamous cathouses began as a public-health study into the safe-sex practices of these legal working girls and the effectiveness of condom requirements in preventing sexually transmitted diseases. It took her three years to gain access to the brothels, and when her project was eventually approved by the head of the Nevada Brothel Association, she was surprised to be invited to stay at Mustang Ranch, among the women of the brothel, for the duration of her research. She learned that despite the legalization of prostitution in several counties of Nevada, the working girls still faced restrictive local ordinances and work regulations that kept them virtual prisoners inside the brothel compound. Outside, they encountered the same social stigma that has always haunted sex workers. In her compassionate, engaging first book, Albert answers all the questions you might ever have about prostitutes, providing a rich and nuanced depiction of a largely hidden world.
I thought this was a very interesting look at brothel prostitution in Nevada. It covered some of the history, the politics, etc., as well as the stories of the women who work in the brothels and some of the customers. The author lived at the Mustang Ranch for brief periods on and off over several years in order to get a unique perspective on the lives of the prostitutes and their customers. This book made me think and question more about the issue of legal prostitution and the different aspects of it. From the book: "However disturbing the idea of commercial sex may be to some of us, it's naive to believe that prostitution can ever be eliminated."
Very fascinating reading!
By the way, at the end of this book, the Mustang Ranch was shut down in 1999 by the IRS. It apparently is now reopened complete with its own website. I guess legal prostitution is here to stay (at least in Nevada).
Released 15 yrs ago (7/13/2008 UTC) at To the next participant in Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
In the mail to KateKintail in Virginia to start this bookray. Enjoy!
Thanks for including me in the ring!
Though I found some of the history & politics less interesting than the parts talking about the culture and people of the brothel, this was still a fast read that I couldn't put down. Frequently I told myself "just two more pages" and then I'd find myself still reading, a chapter later.
It was really fascinating to read this from the perspective of someone who's lived there. I've seen bits of HBO shows/specials where they filmed at various/certain other legal brothels in Nevada but this was much more intimate and revealing to me since it felt like a much more real (and less showy) account. The fact that Alexa introduces us to the brothel as she moves in to begin her research is a great use of the literary technique since we get to learn along with her. It's a great point of view that works well throughout. She gains our respect and trust almost immediately and then presents the world with a sympathetic but ultimately unbiased eye.
I loved reading about the people who are part of the industry and the different parts that all come together to make it run (smoothly, for the most part). I never think of cooks or laundresses; I never think about the fact that it's open for service every second of every day. And what was really eye-opening were the dynamics- the floor maids, the rivalries between women, the mutual understanding and support within the community/family. I love that she chose to integrate so many facts (like results from her study) into the book so it's informative as well as descriptive. I love the variety of topics covered- everything from how a brothel lawyer's family feels about the issue of legalized prostitution to the cyberworld's relationship to the brothel. And I love that in the end I really cared about all of these women and worried about them.
An absolutely fascinating account and one I'm very glad to have gotten the chance to read! Thank you! I'm glad I broke my "don't sign up for any bookrays/rings for books that aren't already on your wish list" rule and gave this a chance.
I've already PMed Lumbermoose (what a great username) for an address.
Sending out to Lumbermoose today. Hope it's enjoyed!
DC# 0308 0660 0001 3240 6577
10/5/08: I really enjoyed this book. It was a very interesting look behind the scenes of legalized prostitution in Nevada. I've also watched some of the documentaries on HBO, but I believe that this book is more truthful and accurate to the lives that these women live.
Thank you so much for including me.
Released 15 yrs ago (10/5/2008 UTC) at -- Mail or by hand,rings, RABCK, meetings, web, Georgia USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Handing off to JennyC1230 who started reading it today.
Thank you for sharing perryfran!
I sent nicolesinger a PM for her address.
Update: Oct. 10 - Haven't heard from nicolesinger, so I sent her an e-mail listed on her bookshelf.
Happy Travels!
I'm looking forward to reading it.
I thought the sections on the brothels' history and the various owners were interesting, too. Definitely some flamboyant personalities involved!
I will PM Kitten22 for her address, but I may not be able to mail the book on until after payday (first week in November). It should go out as soon as my husband gets paid. Thanks for sharing it with me!
I was very surprised to learn that most of the women sent money back home to support husbands and boyfriends. Like Brittany said, if they wouldn't be with you if you weren't sending them money, then they're not your boyfriend, they're your pimp! Exactly!
Anyway, this was a really enjoyable read, and quite a fast read as well. I really liked the author's voice too.
Off to fungirl503 tomorrow.
Crazy. Off to get the address to the next person.
Released 15 yrs ago (12/15/2008 UTC) at -- Mail, by hand, rings, RABCks etc, Oregon USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
going to llendnyl
I have PM'd the next participant and will send off when I receive an address. Thanks for including me in the ray!
Released 15 yrs ago (1/6/2009 UTC) at -- BOOKRAY, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent off to the next participant today!
This was sent off this morning to realityshowgirl so that it could continue on its journey!
Thanks spoiledrotten for sending it to me. It arrived in excellent condition.
Thanks
Michelle aka realityshowgirl
It is really interesting. I will post again, when I send the book out.
Sorry it took so long to read it.
I thought it was interesting about how the women saw themselves as "healers" in a way, and how they would enter into a helping profession, if they were not able to work at the brothel anymore.
I will be sending this to bindibooks hopefully today, if I can make it to the post office in the next half hour!
thanks so much for including me in this ray! Great book!
Released 14 yrs ago (8/5/2009 UTC) at -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, trades, California USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sending to bindibooks!
Enjoy!