Ivy League Stripper

by Heidi Mattson

Book Overview

Ivy League Stripper is the compelling, poignant, and outrageous true story of one woman's extraordinary education and adventure in the rarified worlds of the Ivy League and the topless dancer.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312959559
• ISBN13: 9780312959555
• Release Date: June 1996
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 338 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Heidi's revenge!

Heidi, the author, is a very determined lady. Halfway through her education at Brown University, she was injured through the fault of the university. Thanks to Brown University's denial of the claim and other very underhanded treatment, the author became a stripper to pay for her tuition. I found her unemotional treatment of the wrongs done to her to be fascinating and well written. Her saga emphasizes what determination and force of will can accomplish, despite opposition. If I were advising Brown University, I'd suggest that they offer her big dollars to remove the book from circulation and then try to buy up all the existing copies. The author very coolly and unemotionally shows Brown University to be a mean spirited, uncaring place that treats its paying customers badly. They made a bad mistake in treating her so badly. However, the book is her revenge. Good job, Heidi! I wonder how many of the negative reviews of this book were placed by people working for Brown University. I say that because the book is well written and thoughtful. I cannot fathom how anyone could give it a negative review unless they were being paid to do so to protect their employer's very exposed posterior.

Enormously entertaining!

I can't vouch for the accuracy or lack thereof, but Heidi seems to be very forthright about everything she says or does, so for me, the book rings true. Admittely, I don't have that much experience with exotic dancers, but her story seems humorous, entertaining ---and Heidi sounds like the kind of person I would love to meet. What a cheerful personality she seems to have! Most refreshing. To the bashers, try giving the book another read--perhaps with a more open mind and fewer biases.

Very interesting and well written!

Loved it! Read the entire book the day I got it... and then read it again... slowly... chapter by chapter. Anyone who is even a little curious about what it's like being a stripper and how strippers think will love this book. And I was very impressed with the author's writing ability.

Excellent stereotype-breaking, informative and thoughtful.

Everybody with an interest, pro or con, in any form of sex work - especially stripping - ought to read this book. It reflects reality as best one can, given that reality is diverse. The author disproves the stereotypes of this kind of work as inherently degrading. Heidi is definitely one of the more literate strippers, but I have met many in real life - I'm glad someone told their story. This book is powerful ammunition for reasonable people to fight the sex-phobic trips of the so-called liberals and so-called conservatives. It's also an inspiring story about personal growth and courage. The hardback edition has a couple more pictures than the paperback, if you want to see more (literally) of Heidi. This book also proves that not all men crave huge (fake) breasts: Heidi was a success with her small and natural look. I would hope lots women listen to this and resist the lure to conform to someone else's limited, unreal ideal. My only regret is that she quit dancing before I had a chance to make a pilgrimage.