Working

by Dolores French and Linda Lee

Book Overview

No one understands the day-to-day existence of a working girl better than Dolores French. And now, the woman who has been called America's most notorious outlaw reveals all in this fresh, startlingly... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525246703
• ISBN13: 9780525246701
• Release Date: August 1988
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 287 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The best book on subject & educational one.

I fully agree with the author. I know best about prostitution as my mother was prostitute from age 15 to 61, my sister,wife,2 daughters are also in same business.We all are very happy & proud of this business.We have never cheated any customer. We donate for charity too.I hope that our future generation will continue this business with same honesty & dedication.We never refused aged or bad looking clients.

Delightful

I know very little (nothing) about the sex for hire business, but this book is a delightful read and scores at least 5 stars on my scale. I enjoyed every page, and am willing to believe that she didn't have to embellish to write this story. Would love to meet this lady.

Excellent job description of your profession

Delores French did an excellent job protraying the profession of "working" as it is without getting into trying to talk the reader out of it. Like it or not, prostitution is a profession. Anyone who reads her very informative publication will learn this message. In her pages, Delores goes into her "pilgrimage" from working into the traditional world into the various worlds that comprise sex businesses. She describes her work throughout the world and seeks to decriminalize the field. For those who want to learn about this field and has been seeking a "career" guide, I recommend you read these pages. For those trying to talk people out of working in this field, I hope you read Delores account, as she does a good job protraying the field in it's objective light.

Shatters Stereotypes

This smart, witty, and courageous autobiography shatters the stereotypes that most people have of prostitutes. Contrary to popular opinion, the majority of American prostitutes are not abused, exploited, drug-addicted, pimp-controlled street whores with low self-esteem who have turned to sex work in desperation after a lifetime of poverty and violence. Nor is it true that prostitutes are significant transmitters of STDs or responsible for the spread of Aids. Dolores French is refreshingly candid, passionate, possesses a deep sense of justice, and genuinely enjoys what she does for a living (and how many people can honestly say that about their jobs?). While acknowledging that prostitution--like any other profession--isn't for everyone, she argues convincingly that women should be free to choose prostitution as a career without having to fear stigmatization, discrimination, police harassment, arrest, and incarceration for doing something that would be perfectly le! gal if they didn't have the audacity to charge for it. Like other sex workers' rights activists, she favors decriminalization rather than legalization. "Working" is a perfect blend of engrossing autobiographical storytelling (Dolores has worked as an escort, in brothels, out of apartments, and on the street; she has worked in the U.S., the Carribbean, and in Europe--and she has plenty of fascinating tales to tell) and facts & stats about prostitution. This book is essential reading for anyone who's ever wanted to know what it's really like to work as a prostitute, and it should be required for individuals who are making and debating laws and policies pertaining to prostitution.

A woman who dares to own her sexuality without apology! Wow!

A must read for any woman who has been subtley or blatantly taught that she is the property of first her parents and later her husband. The most powerful and the scariest thing for a patriarchal culture is a woman who is in charge of her own life. Dolores French made a practical decision and uses her body to earn a living -- not scrubbing floors, not selling real estate, not doctoring sick people, not playing tennis, but providing sexual services. A funny, eye-opening, delightful read. No wonder it was banned from the Hall County, Georgia library. This woman is honest and bold and makes more sense than is good for keeping women in a subservient role. Dolores French is a feminist who has by-passed victimization and has gone straight to thriving in the world as it is. The suffragettes got women the vote, prostitutes bear the standard for autonomy. When whores are as free to conduct their business as football players are, we women will have reclaimed our rightful position as equals and patriarchy will shrivel up and waste away.