Take It Off!

Title:  Take It Off!

Author:  Taylor Cole and Justin Whitfield

Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave

Publisher URL:  www.jasminejade.com

ISBN/BIN:   9781419942976

Genre:  Nonfiction

Rating:  4 Nymphs

Literary Nymphs Reviewer:  Amazon Nymph

Take It Off! The Naked Truth about Male Strippers is a very good look at the reality of life as a male stripper.  The two authors are men that have been in the business for at least twenty years.  There were a few things the guys mentioned about what goes on behind the scenes as male strippers that was a little disturbing.  I also had a little difficulty, at times, trying to figure out who was saying what, as sometimes a name was mentioned then it seemed like the tone changed, so it wasn’t clear. I do have to say that what they were describing backstage was very different from my experiences as a professional belly dancer.  I think it was because the venues were very different.  I will also admit that some of my feelings might also be colored by this experience. 

One thing that did strike me was the advice that Taylor and Justin gave regarding choices about lifestyles and thinking about the future.  They both gave some very good advice as they talked about some of the lives they saw as careers came and went.  If someone were to be starting in the business, I would want them to read this book. 

Both men took their experiences and made themselves into a brand of sorts.  The modeling seems to be an offshoot of their dancing and they both became cover models for Ellora’s Cave books.  They both mentioned that they got to travel the world and had experiences they don’t think they would have had. Both of these gentlemen went on to different things in their lives.  Even though a lot of what they experienced was hectic and bordering on chaotic, it was clear, they had some clear goals.