Well written, everything is a very positive way.


Caveat: NOT the Be All to End All...   January 8, 2003
 22 out of 24 found this review helpful

"The Body Art Book" is billed as a "complete, illustrated guide," which it isn't. It highlights many topics, but none in depth. There are eight pages of color photos, and some black and white illustrations. However, for every thing I found wrong with this book, there was an equal and opposite reaction. For example:

Regarding latex gloves: "Every piercer MUST wear latex gloves when touching sterilized tools or jewelry." Should this read "Every BODY ARTIST?" (After all, NOT only piercers should be gloved!) Furthermore, what about artists or clients with latex allergies? However, pointing out that gloves should be changed if the [artist] picks up the phone was very important.

Regarding piercing guns: not enough emphasis, in my opinion, placed on the fact that professional piercers never use guns. However, the author DOES mention it, which is information that a lot of people don't know.

There were a few snide comments about people who get body modifications to be cool. While that wouldn't be my motivation, if I were the author I might have said something more to the effect of One's body is sacred, so one might want to take that into consideration before making permanent changes for the sake of fashion (in other words, perhaps less condescending).

I'm also not crazy about the layout of the book. Piercing and tattoo information is separated within chapters, instead of being in separate chapters. Also, I don't know why henna and scarification were in the same chapter!

The author seems to have fleshed out an outline, but doesn't seem to have gone much further. It's a shame, because there is a ton of information on the Internet that would have given a great deal of substance to this book.

There IS some incredibly valuable information in this book -- information that many people wouldn't have without doing some research AND information with which most people are not armed before walking into a studio.

(This book was a Wishlist purchase.)


Where is the illustrations?   December 26, 1999
 21 out of 22 found this review helpful

First off this book has hardly any illustratons. It has no business claiming to be a complete illustrated guide to anything. The photographs seem to be taken all off the same shop, as if they are just an advertisement for Streamline Tattoo. While they are very nice tattoos there are a tun of other great artists within driving distance of that shop. The only person who would enjoy this book would be a somebody with no idea about tattoos or piercings. A person with no knowledge of the industry (as if they were living on mars) may find this useful. I'm returning my copy. I feel it is not, what it was represented to be. I was very disapointed.


dont waste your money   October 23, 2002
 19 out of 19 found this review helpful

I can not believe that a publisher would agree to call this book 'complete' it is ANYTHING but complete. In fact, it is downright skimming. This shows some poorly drawn illustrations of completed facial piercings/ear piercings and that is about it - there is no 'guide' about it. It shows a few pages of colour tattoos, but clearly was not well thought out. I am returning mine and suggest that if you pay more than garage sale price, youve been taken. My opinion, thats all.


Not as expected   April 13, 2000
 15 out of 20 found this review helpful

I agree with some of the other reviewers - don't get this book unless you want *everything* on this subject - this is written by a person that really doesn't understand the concepts behind why most people get pierced. Also - you'll get more pics and illustrations in your average tattoo mag.