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Golden Goddesses: 25 Legendary Women of Classic Erotic Cinema, 1968-1985
Golden Goddesses vibrantly casts light upon twenty-five significant women involved in the erotic film industry during its Golden Era, between the years 1968-1985 when participation in adult productions was illegal. Profiling performers, directors, scriptwriters and costumers, Golden Goddesses is a palate of insights, intimacy, vulnerability and strength as it immerses readers into the lives of these celebrated and audacious females.
Featuring the author's own interviews with Marilyn Chambers, Seka, Kay Parker, Rhonda Jo Petty, Serena, Georgina Spelvin, Juliet Anderson, Candida Royalle, Sharon Mitchell, Gloria Leonard, Annie Sprinkle, Ann Perry, Jody Maxwell, Barbara Mills, Veronica Hart, Kelly Nichols, Ginger Lynn, Kitten Natividad, Amber Lynn, Laurie Holmes, Christy Canyon, Julia St. Vincent, Roberta Findlay, Nina Hartley and Raven Touchstone, Golden Goddesses also includes film highlights and more than 300 photos.
These fascinating women of classic adult film are presented with depth, sensitivity, and historical scope while capturing the quintessence of a rebellious spirit from days gone by.
Featuring the author's own interviews with Marilyn Chambers, Seka, Kay Parker, Rhonda Jo Petty, Serena, Georgina Spelvin, Juliet Anderson, Candida Royalle, Sharon Mitchell, Gloria Leonard, Annie Sprinkle, Ann Perry, Jody Maxwell, Barbara Mills, Veronica Hart, Kelly Nichols, Ginger Lynn, Kitten Natividad, Amber Lynn, Laurie Holmes, Christy Canyon, Julia St. Vincent, Roberta Findlay, Nina Hartley and Raven Touchstone, Golden Goddesses also includes film highlights and more than 300 photos.
These fascinating women of classic adult film are presented with depth, sensitivity, and historical scope while capturing the quintessence of a rebellious spirit from days gone by.
- GenresNonfiction
950 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2012
4 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Jill C. Nelson
6 books15 followersI am a 64-year-old wife, mother, Hearing Instrument Specialist, and Canadian co-author (with Jennifer Sugar) of the first and definitive biography about the late adult film legend, pop culture icon, John Curtis Holmes. John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches, presented in oral history format, was published in August 2008 by BearManor Media. The book contains three photos sections (including rare nudes), a 21 page filmography, 114 feature film reviews, and 86 loops synopses. The second and expanded edition of our book was released on October 2011 and is also available in kindle and audio formats.
My second book, "Golden Goddesses: 25 Legendary Women of Classic Erotic Cinema, 1968-1985," was released on October 31, 2012 and published by BearManor Media. Compiled from my own interviews with each personality featured, "Goddesses" profiles some of the most prominent and popular female personalities of the golden era who worked during a time when sexually-oriented films was still illegal. The book contains over 300 photos, film highlights and a special "Honorable Mentions" section with short synopses on 15 additional women associated with the classic era of adult films. I am pleased to report that my former collaborator, Jennifer Sugar, wrote the foreword for "Goddesses."
My third book, a memoir, "Tapes from California: Teenage Road Tripping, 1976," detailing a 6-month hitchhiking/youth hostelling road trip across the West Coast of Canada, Washington, Oregon and California, made with a friend, will be released fall 2017.
My second book, "Golden Goddesses: 25 Legendary Women of Classic Erotic Cinema, 1968-1985," was released on October 31, 2012 and published by BearManor Media. Compiled from my own interviews with each personality featured, "Goddesses" profiles some of the most prominent and popular female personalities of the golden era who worked during a time when sexually-oriented films was still illegal. The book contains over 300 photos, film highlights and a special "Honorable Mentions" section with short synopses on 15 additional women associated with the classic era of adult films. I am pleased to report that my former collaborator, Jennifer Sugar, wrote the foreword for "Goddesses."
My third book, a memoir, "Tapes from California: Teenage Road Tripping, 1976," detailing a 6-month hitchhiking/youth hostelling road trip across the West Coast of Canada, Washington, Oregon and California, made with a friend, will be released fall 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 22, 2013
I won this as a free giveaway and loved the history behind all the women in the book. It was interesting to read the stories about the women and portrayed them in a light of actual people rather than objects that they portray on screen. Just because someone does things on screen in a sexual sense doesn't mean that they should be judged by their actions forever. It's just a job- a very visible job, but nonetheless no one should judge anyone just by what they do on screen.
February 3, 2021
What was it like to be a part of the U.S. hardcore sex film industry during its explosive rise during the 1970s and 80s, at a time when making these films was still illegal? Who were the women who rode this wave, becoming goddesses to their fans and pariahs to those who cast themselves as the defenders of public morals? What makes someone chose a life as a sexual outlaw?
Having co-written a book about the first male superstar of porn - John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches - Jill C. Nelson has here explored the lives of 25 women who made major contributions to the rise of the hardcore sex film industry in the U.S., some of whom had been supporting players in Holmes’ story. They are not all performers. Roberta Findlay is most notable as a director and cinematographer, Julia St. Vincent worked behind the scenes and ended up directing an influential porn documentary and Raven Touchstone (aka Penny Antine) is a scriptwriter. And some of those who did work as performers, would go on to producing or directing, most notably Candida Royale and Annie Sprinkle.
Each of these women tells her own story. Nelson interjects into the narrative with added context and descriptions of some of their key works. We get a fully-rounded account of their early life, how they found themselves entering this unique enterprise, the high points and the low points of their career and an account of where they are now and what it feels like to look back on the wild ride which was their life in porn.
There are cliches about women in porn, to do with things like abusive childhoods and drug use. They don’t come from nowhere. Some of these women carry the wounds of shocking mistreatment from childhood, some don’t. Some were heavy drug users at times. The pain of abuse and the hunger to ease pain through drugs are common factors in show business generally. Stories of individuals needing the love of fans to make up for the void of a loveless childhood are probably just as common in the music business and mainstream Hollywood as in the adult film industry. Anyway, cliches are one dimensional and they disappear when exposed to the detail and self-insight of personal stories.
What comes through most obviously is the strength and determination of these women and their non-conformity. It takes a lot to lay yourself bare before the world and its judgement. It was a dangerous occupation for all involved, but, perhaps contrary to public perception, these women often report that it was an empowering world for them. They were paid more than the male performers and the casting couch was a rarity. The picture we get of the early years of this industry is one of a family of merry rebels looking out for each other. Revelations from mainstream Hollywood over recent years present a much sleazier picture.
Each chapter represents a chance to get to know a unique, complex and remarkable woman. In most cases you also get a guide to exploring their work, with key films highlighted for their eroticism, pairings with other legends or outstanding acting performances.
Having co-written a book about the first male superstar of porn - John Holmes: A Life Measured in Inches - Jill C. Nelson has here explored the lives of 25 women who made major contributions to the rise of the hardcore sex film industry in the U.S., some of whom had been supporting players in Holmes’ story. They are not all performers. Roberta Findlay is most notable as a director and cinematographer, Julia St. Vincent worked behind the scenes and ended up directing an influential porn documentary and Raven Touchstone (aka Penny Antine) is a scriptwriter. And some of those who did work as performers, would go on to producing or directing, most notably Candida Royale and Annie Sprinkle.
Each of these women tells her own story. Nelson interjects into the narrative with added context and descriptions of some of their key works. We get a fully-rounded account of their early life, how they found themselves entering this unique enterprise, the high points and the low points of their career and an account of where they are now and what it feels like to look back on the wild ride which was their life in porn.
There are cliches about women in porn, to do with things like abusive childhoods and drug use. They don’t come from nowhere. Some of these women carry the wounds of shocking mistreatment from childhood, some don’t. Some were heavy drug users at times. The pain of abuse and the hunger to ease pain through drugs are common factors in show business generally. Stories of individuals needing the love of fans to make up for the void of a loveless childhood are probably just as common in the music business and mainstream Hollywood as in the adult film industry. Anyway, cliches are one dimensional and they disappear when exposed to the detail and self-insight of personal stories.
What comes through most obviously is the strength and determination of these women and their non-conformity. It takes a lot to lay yourself bare before the world and its judgement. It was a dangerous occupation for all involved, but, perhaps contrary to public perception, these women often report that it was an empowering world for them. They were paid more than the male performers and the casting couch was a rarity. The picture we get of the early years of this industry is one of a family of merry rebels looking out for each other. Revelations from mainstream Hollywood over recent years present a much sleazier picture.
Each chapter represents a chance to get to know a unique, complex and remarkable woman. In most cases you also get a guide to exploring their work, with key films highlighted for their eroticism, pairings with other legends or outstanding acting performances.
December 27, 2012
This book is an excellent detailed study of several women from the classic adult film industry. Many popular/big names of the genre are included such as Marilyn Chambers, Georgina Spelvin, Seka, Juliet Anderson, Ginger Lynn, Amber Lynn, etc. Through the author's interviews, the subjects reveal their true characters. I also enjoyed the film reviews and hundreds of photos. It's a very lengthy book but a great read.
July 9, 2021
jill is such a horndog it's so funny. love u queen. really great interviews!
May 10, 2019
It is not meant to be read straight through so my primary complaint; length, is a little unreasonable, but there are some names that are new.
It should be noted that the original project, that lead to this was a similarly formatted book about John Holmes. There are some names that are familiar to main stream audiences and some more obscure ones.
Overall, a very good read to have on your electronic device if you can just 'peck at it'.
It should be noted that the original project, that lead to this was a similarly formatted book about John Holmes. There are some names that are familiar to main stream audiences and some more obscure ones.
Overall, a very good read to have on your electronic device if you can just 'peck at it'.
February 20, 2021
DNF - waste of time
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews