Reviews
Reviews of The Piercing Bible
The name of this book says it all. Not only does Angel offer sound advice for all types of piercings, but she gives cultural history, pre and post care instructions, information about body type and compatible piercings, health risks and management, sex and piercings, and information about traveling through airports or visiting the doctor with piercings that cannot easily be removed. She even offers advice to the frustrated parent. These are only a few of the many topics Angel covers in this 300 page Piercing Bible–there’s even an index for keyword searches.
I purchased this book on a whim, even though I rarely ever do more than flip through a non fiction book, but I sat down to read a couple of chapters and discovered that four hours had passed and I had read most of the book cover to cover. Elayne's writing is thorough and informative, and it has broadened my opinions and misconceptions I had of many body piercings. If you have been toying with the idea of getting a piercing, or have had many, or if you are a piercer yourself–this book will provide you with two decades of expertise from the world’s most knowledgeable piercer.
A Writer’s Reading Room--A library of reflections and musings.
Informational Yet Enjoyable, November 13, 2011 A good book to have around, September 2, 2011 I bought this as a piece of reference material to have around my house, I'm a devoted piercee and piercer, although not in a professional setting. It is informative, has some good illustrations, and is clear and concise. It is definitely written for the prospective piercee, not the piercer, so if your looking for a really deep and informative how-to or info guide to being the piercer, you will need more. However, this is a good edition to any piercer and piercee's library and is definitely worth the money and 2 hours it took to read. It does lack in some of the more wild or advanced techniques, mainly the biopsy-punch method of microdermals and piercing for pulls/suspensions, but those could be books on their own.
Very nice, August 7, 2011 The book is thicker than I anticipated. It has everything! I recommend reading all of it before even thinking about piercing.
Piercing Bible, July 12, 2011I'd say if you're interested in piercings, this is the one book to get. You learn all about piercing and about each type of piercing. I go back to it for reference or if I have an issue with a piercing. Don't just go out and get a piercing; know what you're doing with this book. Especially important that you learn from this book is to get pierced with a certified professional piercer. That way, you see your jewelry and needle sterilized, and you know your piercer is experienced and knows what to do exactly.
Amazing book, May 17, 2011 great resource, August 24, 2010| By |
Albina Flower |
This book is a great resource to have on hand. The writer covers basic care to specific things to expect from specific piercings. She offers very logical care and alternative care. Also, she includes information on stretching, a general overview of the history of piercings/body modifications, and jewelery. She really covers many bases.
I had several piercings when I was younger; We used to use alcohol to clean them. Now, we know that is not the case. The author of this book covers some better healing techniques for piercings and she even talks about some alternative healing products.
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out of 5 |
Favorable: A great guilty pleasure
"As a nurse and soon to be someone getting my first piercing, I found this book to answer all my questions. This was written by a true artist, and love for her work. The advice made me feel comfortable in doing this. WE as nurses read a lot of medical books, and use it to advise our patients, this is the one and only book a would recommend to anyone thinking of getting a piercing. It is clear and gives something no other book does. It gives you the time it will take to recover, what size you will need, care for the site, and so much more. I’m glad I turned to her for my answers. This is well written book, and easy to understand. I give this my highest praise, and feel this book belongs with the best of medical book. Elayne Angel, even the Greek physician Hippocrates who is known as "the father of medicine” would agree, you are a true practitioner. Bravo!"
- dama "The Piercing Bible" is with no doubts the most comprehensive guide about the body piercing world written in plain language and broadly explained in every part. It is addressed to all kind of body piercing lovers providing a full overview about this topic. It thoroughly explains all the steps from deciding if to have a piercing done and choosing the right piercing shop to stretching a piercing to jumbo sizes and sometimes unfortunately needing to abandon it. Inside this book nearly everyone will find the answers to all of his or her doubts and questions, both the beginner piercee and the modern primitive, as well as worried parents and doctors. It is a useful guide also for body piercers because it describes every piercing in details and some tips one should know about this practise, its tools, jewellery and materials, the basic anatomy rudiments as well as piercing aftercare and a professional's ethics.
Elayne Angel is without doubts one of the most qualified and influential persons who could ever write a book which deals with body piercing and "The Piercing Bible " is the result of a huge work based upon decades of experience and training. Elayne has offered to the body piercing community a large contribution and I will recommend this book to all kind of piercing lovers. Maya
Great Piercing for Dummies book, July 15, 2010| By Looking for Comfort |
As a healthcare professional (doc) I see alot of piercings as part of my exams. Usually they are an incidental finding but occasionally they are the reason for the visit. Not having any training regarding piercings in medical school I have found this book an excellent resource. In particular we have always been trained to remove a foreign body if an area is infected. In the case of piercings it may actually be better to leave it in as a drain while treating with saline soaks and antibiotics. Great book. In followup I had even emailed the author Elayne who has a website and she was very quick to answer questions I had. If you have questions about piercings get this book!
5.0 out of 5 stars (From Amazon.com)
Perfect advice before, during and after getting pierced, April 23, 2010
by E. Matsko
Elayne's advice and information is perfect for anyone considering getting a piercing. She tells you everything you need to know before you get pierced. Being able to email her after you have been pierced before reading her book is very profesional of her. She will guide you in the right direction and help you avoid making a mistake. I wish I had read this before getting my first piercing.
From a piercer via Facebook message February 2010:
I love it!
You put great focus on safety and quality of services- from the piercees' poin of view- which gives the professional piercer an idea of what else, besides a good technique, needs to be considered.
What I especially like is your calling for temperance in stretching etc.; in body mod it is often all about being hardcore, but in your book you advocate giving your body the time it needs to cope with change.
I believe The Piercing Bible will fundamentally contribute to the quality of services in the body mod sector and increase safety and on the other hand, help to outgun present misconseption about the community and some of the silly myths in general society.
User Review Google books
To call this book "the definitive guide" is an understatement. This book shall remain the definitive guide for the next hundred years. As a piercee and a piercer I can say with honesty that there is nothing that I know that isn't in this book. Against it's intended use, this book is an invaluable tool for any body piercer to further hone their skills and gain a better understanding of many details that commonly get ignored in the industry.
Everyone considering a body piercing should read this book. Knowledge is power, and knowing better what to expect when walking into a piercing studio will ensure a quality piercing that you can enjoy for the rest of your life. The savvy acquired from reading this book will help you recognize good, clean studios from sub par, inexperienced ones, which could potentially save your life.
The author has a very straight forward presentation of her decades of accrued data. There are no frills or fluff in this book. She lays everything out directly with a subtle wit shining through that made me chuckle dozens of times.
This book is worth twice what I paid for it and the knowledge I gained from just one read has to be worth fifty college credits easily.
Everyone should read this book. An entire customer base who is savvy to the methods, bedside manner, ethics and know how of a superior Master Piercer like Elayne Angel can only increase their expectations and force industry professionals to further better themselves and the industry as a whole, making it safer and better for everyone.
User Review - Google books
This is by far the best book out there on piercings. Elayne has covered every aspect from history to aftercare. If you are new to this or just want to read a great book on the subject, I highly recommend this one. The very best part for me was the descriptions of different piercings and the section on locating a competent piercer. If you are considering a piercing (or more) please get this book and read it completely so you are able to make good informed decisions. Knowledge is power! Thanks Elayne for putting the information out there for us!!
5.0 out of 5 stars (From Amazon.com)This is a great book for anyone that is interested in getting pierced or in knowing more about piercings. It's a good read as well and I actually couldn't stop reading it because I felt that there was just so much information to absorb. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.
5.0 out of 5 stars (From Amazon.com)
Professional piercist says “Two Thumbs Up”, August 3, 2009
By Aces And Eights Tattoo
Thank you Elayne Angel for writing this book. I have already used it to help my clients become better informed about the piercing they want to receive from me. Although 13 years in the business has left me very well informed, I did learn many new things about the sociology of piercing and body modification. Also Elayne’s years of experience was so well documented that it was like attending a convention of the A.P.P. only a lot less costly!
5.0 out of 5 stars (From Amazon.com)
Inkslinger, August 2, 2009
By Joel Lopez
This is more than what I expected. I am half way reading it and have learned more than what I had bargained for as far as the price on this book. It was very well put together and I hpoe she has not left anything out of the book. Great reference book for a piercer. As a matter of fact I will recommend this book to an online friend I recently found as well as others who are interested in this field of body art.
She could have charged more for this book. Just my two cents' worth.
5 out of 5 stars (from Borders.com)
Excellent info for piercers and their clients! July 9, 2009
By PinkyKarla
Favorable: Informative / Critical: None
"Finally, a well-written book covering body piercing! This book is the BEST reference for piercer and piercee alike!"
Gender: Female
Age: 35-44
Occupation: Healthcare Five out of 5 stars (from Barnes & Noble.com)
July 4, 2009
By windance10
This is a must have for those who take piercings seriously, as well as a guide for the professional piercer. If you want to understand the dynamics of the whole piercing process, then this is the book for you. Varies as a guidance book which provides some history of various piercings as well as what to expect before, during and after.
5.0 out of 5 stars (From Amazon.com)
Great Book, June 27, 2009
By Kreston T. Clark
What a great book. I am a professional piercer in So Cal and look forward to reading Elayne Angel's magazine articles every issue. 'The Piercing Bible' is a must buy for all piercers, piercees and parents.
high speed internet - $50
The Piercing Bible - $15 (or whatever)
All the knowledge contain in the book - PRICELESS!
It pays for itself immediately .
5.0 out of 5 stars (From Amazon.com)
The Piercing Bible is a must have book!, June 26, 2009
By Suzannah B. Troy
Elayne Angel came to my rescue because her book was not an available resource at the time when here in NYC, I made the mistake of getting a bad piercing and the wrong jewelry as well and it was a painful experience on many levels. At the time Elayne was still in New Orleans and she was able to help me. I did remove the piercing but thanks to her educating me I was able to get the piercing and jewelry that was right for me.
If you are considering getting a piercing or want to learn more because you are a piercer please buy this book and read it. The Piercing Bible is the definitive book on safety and piercing. Thank and gratitude to Elayne Angel with New York attitude from Suzannah B. Troy.
5.0 out of 5 stars (From Amazon.com)
Very Thorough., June 13, 2009
By Paige
I love how this book includes information about tons of piercings, aftercare, piercing troubleshooting, and social issues/aspects of body piercings [plus more!]. Angel definitely hit all of the high points and hit them thoroughly. I've never seen a collection of such valuable information on body piercing in one place.
If you're into body modification, this is a must-buy!
5.0 out of 5 stars (From Amazon.com)
Nothing Compares!!!, May 26, 200
By M. Garabedian "LOST SOUL"
This is the most well put together collection of one persons knowledge and talent, I've ever seen. She hits on every point (no pun intended) you could think of to ask/know about. This is a must buy for anyone and I mean anyone looking into personal body mods or even for the person wanting to learn to appreciate the art of Piercing. Again MUST BUY!!!
5.0 out of 5 stars (From Amazon.com)
By Dawn K
I have just completed reading The Piercing Bible. It is truly a fascinating book and is an excellent learning tool for any person considering their first (or twenty-first) piercing. It also makes a great reference book for anyone in the piercing industry. Those in the medical profession would benefit from the knowledge contained within also. Previously, those of us who are interested in piercing have not had the luxury of being able to access safe advice, expert suggestions, and detailed, accurate information on the options available to us. Now, finally, in one place, we have the ability to learn how to get a safe piercing, how to make the right choice of piercing and jewelry for our individual look and how to care for our piercings so they will remain beautiful. Working on the idea that an informed piercee has the best chance of a good result, Elayne Angel spares no detail in explaining jewelry choices and sizes, healing methods, healing times, and even stretching and retiring a piercing. Her straightforward, professional style of writing is a great asset. Her honest impressions of her own piercings and some she has encountered in others over her long career in the industry are priceless. There are detailed drawings to help describe the placement of the various piercings and some great charts showing gauge sizes and minimum healing times. I would highly recommend this book to all.
5.0 out of 5 stars (From Amazon.com)
Piercing Bible Review - Medical Perspective, May 24, 2010
By Scott DeBoer
I am in a unique position to write a review of this book as I am emergency/flight nurse, but also a non-pierced, non-tattooed medical consultant for the Association of Professional Piercers. Starting several years ago when I first began researching the medical myths vs. research realities regarding body mods, Elayne has been an invaluable resource. Her first hand knowledge regarding the history and future of body piercing practices is unequaled and this is evident throughout this book. The Piercing Bible is an excellent summary of body art jewelry, piercing options, and aftercare, as well as confirming/disputing several urban legends regarding body art. For those with body art, contemplating acquiring body art, or those caring for those with body art, I highly recommend this unparalled resource.
Scott DeBoer RN,MSN
5.0 out of 5 stars (From Amazon.com)
complete and informative, May 21, 2009
By Jason Hafendorfer
This is the best source of body piercing information I've ever seen. Elayne is extremely knowledgeable and conveys her expertise very well. This book includes everything from beginning to end. I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of information in it. I mainly bought this book to collect it as I consider Elayne a friend from all the advice she's given me through the years but it never hurts to have information on hand and I have read through most of the book...it's a good read and no matter how much you know or think you know, you're bound to learn something from it.
Jordan Ginsberg of BME (BodyModEzine--the world's largest and longest running body modification website)
reviewed The Piercing Bible
Check this page for the written review and the podcast: BME: Tattoo, Piercing and Body Modification News » ModBlog » Elayne Angel Podcast and Book Review.
5.0 out of 5 stars (From Amazon.com)
"Buy it" May 1, 2009
By Mike
If you are mildly interested in having something pierced or a bit more serious about it, whether it be an earlobe or an intimate bodypart, if it's your first piercing or you've had several, you owe it to yourself to get Elayne Angel's book. She covers every facet of this subject, from just the anticipation of having it done to the actual procedure, including finding the right piercer, as well as the necessary aftercare and commitment involved to have a happy and healthy piercing. Her vast knowledge and experience are brought into words in a way that is easy to understand and refreshing to read. She covers every piercing located on the body that you can imagine, complete with its procedure, recommendations for initial guage and type of jewelry, as well as healing and aftercare information. Also covered are the stereotypes and myths that have been attached to this subculture. She shows that if you are at all interested in becoming a piercee, it may serve to alleviate any apprehensions you've had when you come to realize that people of all ages and walks of life enjoy having a bit of metal somewhere on their body, perhaps someone you would never even suspect. Just buy it, you'll be glad you did.
This review of The Piercing Bible is from Aniareads weblog about body modification:
There are only few books on body piercing out there, so each new addition, especially when it’s a good one, is welcome. That’s the case with ‘The Piercing Bible. The Definitive Guide to Safe Body Piercing’ by Elayne Angel, a well-known female body piercer who got her education in the Gauntlet and witnessed all the changes body modification scene has been undergoing during the last few decades. The book is divided in 7 parts (table of contents here) discussing the most basic information about the various types of body piercing, their procedures, healing and aftercare. Now and then there are included some anecdotes from Angel’s own experiences, interesting pieces of information about history of body piercing and people’s experiences and opinions about body piercings they got done themselves. The Bible is addressed primarily to the piercees, both these who already have some body piercing experiences under their belt and those who are about to enter the world of body modification but professionals may also find it useful. With her vast experience, international fame and all other ‘cool’ icing, Angel’s tone throughout the book is, however, very friendly and always customer-directed/oriented it’s obvious that her customers’ well-being is always her priority and main concern. She understands her customers’ doubts, fears and problems that may appear after the procedure and initial healing, so she provides as detailed picture of body piercing with all responsibilities, possible problems and solutions as possible. And even maybe there’s too much space devoted to the basic piercing procedures (such as ear/navel/tongue that are pretty common these days and seem to be so easy), we should keep in mind that one of Angel’s goals here was to create a reference book that could show the prospective piercees what to expect and look for at a shop of their choice. What I especially like about this book is:
- Information on material used for body piercing jewelry;
- Useful tips for healing and stretching (e.g. the t-shirt-trick, stretching by means of taping);
- Overview of the tools used for body piercing and various types of jewelry (on an interesting side, Angel acknowledges differences in American and European terminology);
- Appendixes with a few useful charts (a piercee’s bill of rights, piercings and jewelry chart, gauge conversion chart and minimum healing time chart).
After having read this book I have a nice feeling of knowing more than before and having my knowledge so much more organized. Definitely recommendable! Angel Elayne, The Piercing Bible, Crossing Press 2009.
Via Triablectic message :
I Just wanted to say that I love your book! I received a copy from Amazon.com a couple weeks ago and have gone through it cover to cover. I am relatively new to the piercing thing (2008 was my first piercing) but it has really been something I've found to be so totally liberating even at this point in my life, I am 58. I love the way you write, it is so thorough in its coverage of every aspect with just enough subtle humor thrown in to keep it light and refreshing to read.
I found it very informative with it's coverage of aftercare and also on one of the piercings I am considering. I am also totally thankful for your recommendation for the emu oil. I have been using it on my piercings every day for about a month now and I can't believe the effect it has had.
I live in Southern Calif. and have had Eric 'Sque3ze' Anderson as my piercer at his shop 'Anomaly' in Pasadena. I feel fortunate to have found someone so knowledgeable and professional. In fact I just called and talked to him today about the possibility of getting an amphallang (I'm still in fact a bit hesitant about it and just trying to get a lot of feedback on it). I was impressed to see him mentioned in your book. Anyway I just wanted to say how much I loved your book and that I find you to be one 'awesome' lady.
Ths gentleman subsequently became a client when I was doing guest piercings at Anomaly:
Elayne, I just wanted to let you know how excited I was to have you do my ampallang yesterday. I have got so much out of your book as well as getting a feel for the person you are, someone quite intelligent, passionate and dedicated to her craft. Upon meeting you it's easy to see that you are all of that and a lot more. I love the piercing, I think it looks totally 'hot'. I haven't been able to stop looking at it!! And your placement was 'exactly' where I wanted it. It has been bleeding just a bit but otherwise it feels fine. I could not believe that it didn't hurt nearly as bad as what I was anticipating, but I can imagine that having this piercing done with someone not as skilled could indeed make it much more traumatic.
Thank you again!!!! Mike
Priceless Resource and Enjoyable Read, April 6, 2009
By S.M. Wheeler
This book is not only informative but enjoyable to read as well. Elayne Angel has created a masterpiece work that brings the mystique of piercing to the masses. No matter if you are a serious body modification devotee or a single mother deciding on a getting a first piercing you will enjoy this book. It is an approachable, candid, and friendly source for all a piercee should know before stepping foot into a studio.
Review of Elayne Angel's radio interview by a professional communicator and journalist.
1. I thought YOU did a brilliant job. You are EXTREMELY articulate, sharp, focused and knowledgeable. But more than all of that, you stay on topic. I know from literally thousands of interviews (albeit not recorded), that the toughest issue with doing an interview is getting the interviewee to ANSWER THE QUESTION - and NOT wander off on tangential topics, or start talking and then get side-tracked and never quite get around to actually answering the very question that was posed.
2. There was absolutely no doubt that you are a singular pro at what you do. It was quite obvious that your knowledge of your industry and profession is extensive. You explained concepts well, you highlighted the critical factors and issues, cleared up any misconceptions, outlined the goal of piercing, the motivation, the benefits. If someone were confused before, they certainly would not be after listening to you.
3. You sounded confident, passionate, competent. You are a perfect interviewee....
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