Touching Encounters: Sex, Work, and Male-for-Male Internet Escorting

Review

“Touching Encounters is a deeply thought-provoking excursion into the lives of men who advertise online for sex with other men—escorts. . . . Although Kevin Walby writes as a sociologist, and sociological praxis weaves throughout the book, readers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds will find this text useful. Readers seeking critical perspectives and theoretical debate will find this book exceptional.” -- Christian Grov ― Sexuality Research and Social Policy“Kevin Walby’s Touching Encounters is a major contribution to a growing body of literature about men in the sex industry. Grounded in the stories of male-for-male escorts, his skillful, thought-provoking analysis of their narratives seduces the reader into reassessing how sex and work are interwoven and helps to dismantle what Walby refers to as the ‘young, hung, dumb, and full of cum’ stereotype that too often limits our understandings of these men and their working lives. This book will inform student theorists and methodologists alike.” -- Frances M. Shaver ― Concordia University, Montreal“In this important interview study of male Internet escorts, Kevin Walby gets very close to his subjects and humanizes them and their bodies. He deepens our understanding of a new pattern of sexuality by creating bridges across theories, from Mead and Goffman to Foucault and queer theory, and shows how sex work is surely as much about relationships as sex, work or money. This is an oddly delightful and enlightening excursion into a new, ‘touching,’ and largely unknown social world. It will challenge many of the old stereotypes of the ‘hustler.’” -- Ken Plummer ― emeritus professor of sociology, University of Essex and editor of Sexualities“Strongly grounded in debates within sociology, Kevin Walby’s work reaches beyond its disciplinary base by drawing on anthropology, psychology, and philosophy, as well as on literary/cultural theory, and queer theory. Touching Encounters is very well researched, well organized, and well written—an original and fascinating contribution to the new sociology of sex.” -- Tim Dean ― Author of Unlimited Intimacy: Reflections on the Subculture of Barebacking

About the Author

“Strongly grounded in debates within sociology, Kevin Walby’s work reaches beyond its disciplinary base by drawing on anthropology, psychology, and philosophy, as well as on literary/cultural theory, and queer theory. Touching Encounters is very well researched, well organized, and well written—an original and fascinating contribution to the new sociology of sex.”