XXX Wasteland

(This is the book review portion of an interview I conducted in June 2011 with Jill Nelson, co-author of John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches. You can read the interview here)

Co-authors Jill Nelson and Jennifer Sugar leave no stone unturned with their biography John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches, a well-researched and comprehensive novel documenting the life and times of the well-endowed porn legend.

Featuring comments from over 60 people who knew and/or worked with Holmes, Inches chronicles the captivating, albeit tumultuous life of the King of Porn, from his troubled upbringing, ascension to the top of the adult industry with the Johnny Wadd film series and unusual relationship with underage girlfriend Dawn Schiller to Holmes’ alleged involvement in the 1981 Wonderland Murders and subsequent return to the business that made him famous.

Perhaps the most compelling facet of Inches is the illustration of Holmes’ essentially lonely death in 1988 after becoming infected with a then-relatively new virus known as AIDS, conveyed by both John’s widow Laurie and the man himself from interview excerpts during the latter months of his life.

In addition to Laurie Holmes, those contributing their memories, opinions and stories of John to the book (in both original interviews and statements derived from previous projects) include Schiller, Holmes’ first wife Sharon, Wadd creator Bob Chinn, industry historian Bill Margold, L.A.P.D. homicide detectives Tom Lange and Frank Tomlinson, renowned adult performer and producer Bill Amerson, director Julia St. Vincent and a plethora of porn actors and actresses from the “Golden Era” of XXX such as Gloria Leonard, Ron Jeremy, Juliet Anderson, Ginger Lynn, Sharon Mitchell, Paul Thomas and Buck Adams.

Also included in Inches are author reviews of 200 loops and movies featuring John Holmes, as well as an extensive filmography of titles the actor appeared in during his legendary run as a member of the adult entertainment world.

Overall, John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches is unquestionably the most in-depth look at the life and career of arguably the most iconic figure in the annals of adult cinema. A highly recommended read for both fans of John Holmes or those interested in the history of porn.

You can purchase Inches on Amazon (also available as a Kindle E-reader), Barnes and Noble, BearManor Media and at the book’s official website, JohnHolmesInches.com.

The most popular studs and starlets of adult cinema tell all in Confessions of the Hundred Hottest Porn Stars, the fourth book from Penthouse publicist and columnist Lainie Speiser for Quiver Books.

Speiser calls upon her twenty-plus years of experience in the adult industry to present an impressive and comprehensive collection of personal stories from porn‘s most adored performers, who are more than forthcoming with accounts of their sexual exploits and fantasies in exclusive interviews conducted by the author.

“(It is not only) a book about Penthouse Pets, but porn stars in general: Their real lives, their real sex lives, their humor, all of that. What do they like to do when they’re not on camera?” Speiser says.

“I was telling (Quiver) the best part of my job are the stories or the ‘hangout time …’ [T]he most fun (the girls and I) have is when we’re trapped in planes, hotel rooms and Denny’s and stuff, and we really relax and tell each other stories.”

The subjects’ trust and respect for Speiser is evident in their narratives, where topics such as swinging, threesomes, favorite positions and sexual relationships with fellow porn stars are discussed.

The book showcases a plethora of top adult talent, including Kayden Kross, Jesse Jane, Alexis Ford, Jessica Drake, James Deen, Bree Olson, Allie Haze, Joanna Angel, Peter North, Sunny Leone, Kagney Linn Karter, Ron Jeremy, Nikki Benz and many others.

Speiser already looks forward to penning a sequel to Confessions.

“I really can’t wait to do another (book), like a Part Two … I’d love to do more because the industry is so thriving – there are new and interesting people who come along every month.”

Confessions of the Hundred Hottest Porn Stars, which has become the literary talk of the porn world since its release this spring, is available for purchase through Quiver Books, Amazon and PenthouseStore.com.