Pornography and Sexual Representation: A Reference Guide

Citation

Holland, S. (2002), "Pornography and Sexual Representation: A Reference Guide", Online Information Review, Vol. 26 No. 1, pp. 57-66. https://doi.org/10.1108/oir.2002.26.1.57.11

This “online resource” is exactly that – an existing resource that has simply been duplicated online. The complete text of the three‐volume print series is reproduced here, with little enhancement. The publisher describes the resource as an “expansion and enhancement of the print title”. This is not a database or navigation tool; it is an e‐book, and an expensive one at that. Written by Joseph Slade of Ohio University’s School of Telecommunications for Greenwood Press’s American Popular Culture series, Pornography and Sexual Representation: A Reference Guide (PSR) provides much‐needed guidance for a subject that is difficult to research. PSR is very thorough, covering every conceivable aspect of pornography that a researcher might tackle. Some of the citations are rather dated, but they are likely included here because of their notoriety and quality.

Divided into three volumes in both its print and electronic versions, PSR is further split into 21 chapters, moving from the general to specific, with a broad overview found in the first volume. Chapter 3 offers “A brief history of American pornography”, but the history is a little too brief to be of much help to the researcher trying to put a specific topic in context.

A wide variety of media are examined, from common films to the less obvious comic books. By referring to PSR when planning a research strategy, a project may take on additional facets as Slade suggests rarely considered resources. There are a number of archives of pornographic materials scattered through the USA, and PSR prepares the researcher for what to expect when using such resources. Also included for the benefit of online users is a search function. Searching proves impractical, as likely search terms appear countless times throughout the text. The interface is cumbersome and unappealing. Lack of planning is apparent in a few sections, such as the poor choice of using white text on a maroon background for some of the documentation.

While PSR is an outstanding resource for academic librarians and serious scholars, but anyone considering its purchase should opt for the print version alone. It is far easier to use than the online version, and the online version’s cost is prohibitively high for a resource with such a limited audience.

This review was first published in Reference Reviews Volume 16 Number 1 2002.