XXX 30 PORN-STAR PORTRAITS

So, how big a difference does clothing make? The photographs of Timothy Greenfield-Sanders take on this question in a new way in the book XXX 30 Porn-Star Portraits. However, this isn't just dirty pictures -- or even just pictures: The portraits continue with biographies and essays.

The photographic subjects -- 19 women, 11 men -- of this book represent a wide spectrum of adult film professionals. There are the stars from the past (Ron Jeremy, Ginger Lynn, Peter North, Nina Hartley), huge stars of the present (Jenna Jameson (also on the cover), Belladonna, Tera Patrick), and up-and-coming folks in adult films (Reina Leone, Mari Possa, Jesse Jane). Greenfield-Sanders has two photos of each star next to each other: one with the star dressed normally, and next to it the star in the same pose, but completely naked. While the effect may be initially titillating (except for Ron Jeremy -- sorry, Ron), the contrast also makes the viewer aware of how such a "little" thing as clothing can make quite a difference in how a person comes across.

Of course, photos of these people alone would be quite superficial -- so there are life stories as well! At the end of XXX 30 Porn-Star Portraits the stars write an account of their life stories (except for a few entries that are provided by Vivid Entertainment), and their ten (or fewer for new stars) favorite movies in which they appear. These entries are quite illuminating: Some stars have very positive experiences working in porn, some wound up there after a horrible childhood, and Sharon Mitchell's story is quite harrowing and uplifting, as she recounts how she went from rock bottom to creating an organization that checks adult film workers for HIV and other STDs.

And if you want to say you're reading XXX 30 Porn-Star Portraits for the articles, you're more than covered. This book has essays by Gore Vidal, Salman Rushdie, actor John Malkovich, performance artist Karen Finley; there are also two-way interviews between Nancy Friday and Nina Hartley, and directors John Waters and Chi Chi LaRue. These articles are usually insightful and always interesting, covering everything from the influence of the Marquis de Sade to alien abduction sex fantasies to first experiences. (The only disappointment was Lou Reed's entry, which was a string of x-rated spam emails.)

A few things have changed since XXX 30 Porn-Star Portraits came out (Jenna Jameson retired acrimonously from the industry, while Jesse Jane may be its biggest star now), but this book will remain as a fascinating look at the stars with and without their clothes (as Morrissey sang, such a little thing makes a big difference), as well as their lives and the industry they work in. This is a terrific book that explores not just porn stars, but human sexuality and our perceptions. And you can say you're reading it for the articles...

Overall grade: A
Reviewed by James Lynch