What is it about some men that makes them an object of our deepest desires? And how far are we willing to go in pursuit of those desires?

Chasing Adonis: Gay Men & the Pursuit of Perfection delves into one of the most central mysteries of gay life: What is it gay men find attractive in other men, and why? How much is nature, how much is nurture . . . or maybe just clever marketing? This unique book examines steroid use, body image disorders, gym culture, Internet hook-ups, obsession, stalking, porn, erotic Web sites, strip clubs and everything else that makes gay men act a little bit nutty when they meet someone who drives them crazy! Frank, sexy, and controversial, it uses a light touch to examine a serious subject: how gay society objectifies the male body.

Tim Bergling, author of Sissyphobia: Gay Men and Effeminate Behavior and Reeling in the Years: Gay Men’s Perspectives on Age and Ageism, surveys gay men about their individual concepts of beauty and desire and about the almost unattainable Adonis standard many of them set for themselves. Teenagers, senior citizens, and the guys stuck in the middle discuss the idea of perfection, how much it changes or evolves over time, and whether the exterior package outweighs what’s inside.

From the author:
It never ceases to amaze me just how powerful the ’d-word’’(desire) can be, how it can take control of our lives and shut everything out, sometimes for just a few moments, sometimes for days or weeks at a time, depending on how badly we’re smitten. Ask just about anybody, and they can likely pull up a story from their pastor their presentwhen they’ve done something incredibly stupid or ill-advised, or maybe just something completely out of character, in pursuit of their heart’s desire.

Chasing Adonis examines:

obsession and rejection
self-esteem issues
the allure of youth
preferences in body shapes, types, and sizes
designer genes vs. first impressions
assessing body parts
narcissism or comfort level-why men chase after guys who look like them
AIDS and HIV
gay porn
adult book stores and the Internet
the Calvin Klein ad campaign featuring Marky Mark Wahlberg
the Abercrombie & Fitch ads
Tom of Finland
gay icons
weight training and fitness clubs
steroids and plastic surgery
circuit parties
body dysmorphia
and much more!

Chasing Adonis: Gay Men and the Pursuit of Perfection is an entertaining and enlightening read for gay men of all ages.

Chasing Adonis - inbunden, Engelska, 2006