Brothel: Mustang Ranch and Its Women

by Alexa Albert | Nonfiction |
ISBN: 0965018873 Global Overview for this book
Registered by wingperryfranwing of Elk Grove, California USA on 7/5/2008
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
14 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by wingperryfranwing from Elk Grove, California USA on Saturday, July 5, 2008
Amazon.com
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).

Journal Entry 2 by wingperryfranwing from Elk Grove, California USA on Monday, July 7, 2008
Bookray
Starting a bookray for this book. Please PM me if interested. Bookray will remain open until last person has the book.

Participants so far:

. KateKintail from Virginia, USA (US only)
. Lumbermoose from Georgia, USA (US preferred - international if needed)
. JennyC1230 from Georgia, USA (US preferred - international if needed)
. nicolesinger from North Carolina, USA (US only)
. Kitten22 from Connecticut, USA (US only)
. fungirl503 from Oregon, USA (US and Canada only)
. Llednyl from Ohio, USA (US and Canada only)
. hostile17 from Indiana, USA (US only)<----Asked to be removed
. spoiledrotten from New Jersey, USA (US only - near end of list)
. realityshowgirl from Washington, USA (US preferred - international if needed)
. waternixie from Washington, USA (?)
. ButtrcupHarmony from New Hampshire, USA (US only)
. sarkiegirl from California, USA (US preferred)
. bindibooks from Pennsylvania, USA (US only)<----Book is here


This bookray is stalled with bindibooks who does not respond to PMs. My remaining participants have been transfered to princess-peapod's ray for this book. Thanks princess-peapod for agreeing to add my remaining 10 participants!


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:

RELEASE NOTES:

In the mail to KateKintail in Virginia to start this bookray. Enjoy!

Journal Entry 4 by wingKateKintailwing from Burke, Virginia USA on Monday, July 21, 2008
Received it today- thank you! I have one other bookring book I need to get out but I'll start on this immediately. Really looking forward to a fascinating read. I've seen some short documentaries done on the brothels out in Nevada but I expect this will be a much more in-depth and personal look.

Thanks for including me in the ring!

Journal Entry 5 by wingKateKintailwing from Burke, Virginia USA on Friday, September 12, 2008
I finished reading this book last night.

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.

Journal Entry 6 by wingKateKintailwing at Burke, Virginia USA on Friday, September 19, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (9/20/2008 UTC) at Burke, Virginia USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending out to Lumbermoose today. Hope it's enjoyed!

DC# 0308 0660 0001 3240 6577

Journal Entry 7 by Lumbermoose from Woodstock, Georgia USA on Monday, September 22, 2008
Arrived today. Thank you, KateKintail, for sending this on to me and perryfran for including me!

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.

Journal Entry 8 by Lumbermoose at -- Mail or by hand,rings, RABCK, meetings, web, Georgia USA on Sunday, October 5, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (10/5/2008 UTC) at -- Mail or by hand,rings, RABCK, meetings, web, Georgia USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Handing off to JennyC1230 who started reading it today.

Journal Entry 9 by JennyC1230 from Woodstock, Georgia USA on Monday, October 6, 2008
I am about halfway through reading this book. It's really interesting so far! I will journal again when I finish the book. :-)

Thank you for sharing perryfran!

Journal Entry 10 by JennyC1230 from Woodstock, Georgia USA on Tuesday, October 7, 2008
I thought this book was very interesting and thought provoking. The author had many questions that make you think about why women do this and why so many of them do this type of work for years and years. I also thought it was interesting, some of the women told their families they sold drugs or were phone sex operators instead of prostitutes. That was preferable than what they were actually doing.

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.

Journal Entry 11 by JennyC1230 from Woodstock, Georgia USA on Thursday, October 16, 2008
Mailed today to nicolesinger via Media Mail - Delivery Confirmation #03080730000097437836.

Happy Travels!

Journal Entry 12 by nicolesinger from Newport, North Carolina USA on Monday, October 20, 2008
It's here! Thanks, JennyC1230. And thanks, perryfran, for starting the ray.

I'm looking forward to reading it.

Journal Entry 13 by nicolesinger from Newport, North Carolina USA on Saturday, October 25, 2008
This was a really interesting book. The author makes no secret of her position on brothels, but I felt that it was a very balanced account. In some ways, the world inside the walls of the Mustang Ranch was how I expected it to be, but there were still things that surprised me. I felt especially bad for the women who were there because someone close to them "turned them out". And how isolating, not to be able to go out in town without a "minder".

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!

Journal Entry 14 by Kitten22 from Ellington, Connecticut USA on Saturday, November 8, 2008
This arrived today! Yea! Thanks so much for including me! I can't wait to read it!

Journal Entry 15 by Kitten22 from Ellington, Connecticut USA on Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I really enjoyed this! I was sure I'd at least find it informative, but I really enjoyed it as a story of the women and their lives too.

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.

Journal Entry 16 by fungirl503 from Gladstone, Oregon USA on Saturday, December 13, 2008
This book came in the mail today and so happy to be part of this book ray. My father in law was married to a lady who's father was involved with the mustang ranch. I am in a middle of another book but as soon as I get done this one is next to read.

Journal Entry 17 by fungirl503 from Gladstone, Oregon USA on Monday, December 15, 2008
this morning I got done with this book. wow what a great story. I talked to my father inlaw on the phone and he was telling me it was joe conforte that was his father in law that he married his daughter. what a small world. He was telling alot about Joe and what a read in the book is extacting what he was telling me. Also he told me that he attend Sally funeral and Joe was not there because him being wanted.
Crazy. Off to get the address to the next person.

Journal Entry 18 by fungirl503 at -- Mail, by hand, rings, RABCks etc, Oregon USA on Monday, December 15, 2008

Released 15 yrs ago (12/15/2008 UTC) at -- Mail, by hand, rings, RABCks etc, Oregon USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

going to llendnyl

Journal Entry 19 by Llednyl from Marysville, Ohio USA on Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Just arrived - I'm a bit caught up with the holidays at the moment, but I should be able to start reading it sometime next week.

Journal Entry 20 by Llednyl from Marysville, Ohio USA on Tuesday, December 30, 2008
I found this book easy-to-read and, as has been mentioned in previous journal entries, very intriguing. I'm not against legalizing prostitution, so nothing in this book really changed my mind or surprised me. I appreciated that the author presented an unglamorous and mostly unbiased account of the business. While Albert is obviously tolerant of legal prostitution, she approached her project as a curious scientist, and let her experiences shape her views; I respect that. I think that for anyone curious, this is a good introduction to the brothels of Nevada.

I have PM'd the next participant and will send off when I receive an address. Thanks for including me in the ray!

Journal Entry 21 by Llednyl at -- BOOKRAY, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (1/6/2009 UTC) at -- BOOKRAY, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sent off to the next participant today!

Journal Entry 22 by wingspoiledrottenwing from Waldwick, New Jersey USA on Friday, January 16, 2009
Recieved in the mail. Have one book plus current in read in front of this one. Thanks for sending & including me.

Journal Entry 23 by wingspoiledrottenwing from Waldwick, New Jersey USA on Wednesday, February 11, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting to learn why these women have become prostitutes and why they continue. I totally enjoyed the author's style of writing in this book. I will try and mail it out later today to realityshowgirl. Thanks for sending and including me.

Journal Entry 24 by wingspoiledrottenwing at Longview, Washington USA on Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Released 15 yrs ago (2/11/2009 UTC) at Longview, Washington USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This was sent off this morning to realityshowgirl so that it could continue on its journey!

Journal Entry 25 by realityshowgirl from Longview, Washington USA on Wednesday, February 18, 2009
I recieved this book today in the mail. I have a few other books I am currently reading, but when I get one of those done, this will be the next that I will read. I look forward to reading the book. I will let you know when I start reading it, and when I mail it off.

Thanks spoiledrotten for sending it to me. It arrived in excellent condition.

Thanks

Michelle aka realityshowgirl

Journal Entry 26 by realityshowgirl from Longview, Washington USA on Monday, March 9, 2009
I started reading this book today. Hopefully I will have it in the mail in the next couple of weeks.

Journal Entry 27 by realityshowgirl from Longview, Washington USA on Friday, May 1, 2009
I sent an e-mail to Waternixie to see if she still wants the book or not. I should hopefully be able to mail it out this coming week sometime.

It is really interesting. I will post again, when I send the book out.

Journal Entry 28 by realityshowgirl from Longview, Washington USA on Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I finished the book last night. It will be in the mail later this afternoon.

Sorry it took so long to read it.


Journal Entry 29 by waternixie from Everett, Washington USA on Sunday, July 5, 2009
What a pleasant surprise to find this in the mailbox last week. I will try to finish it some time this week and send it along.

Journal Entry 30 by ButtrcupHarmony from Nashua, New Hampshire USA on Tuesday, July 21, 2009
caught today! Looking forward to reading it.

Journal Entry 31 by sarkiegirl from La Quinta, California USA on Saturday, August 1, 2009
Got it today! Have one ahead of it and then will get right on it!

Journal Entry 32 by sarkiegirl from La Quinta, California USA on Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Very quick read, and extremely interesting. Like the author's viewpoint, I think that mine also opened up about how not all of the women were abused, and that's something that I have always thought.
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!

Journal Entry 33 by sarkiegirl at -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, trades, California USA on Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Released 14 yrs ago (8/5/2009 UTC) at -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, trades, California USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sending to bindibooks!
Enjoy!

Journal Entry 34 by bindibooks from State College, Pennsylvania USA on Friday, August 21, 2009
Picked this up at the post office yesterday! I'm going to start reading it immediately and PM the next person in line. Thanks for the opportunity to read!

Are you sure you want to delete this item? It cannot be undone.