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CZAR! A novel of Ivan, The Terrible
Larry Townsend has taken a large slice from the mid-sixteenth century and brought it into very readable, very graphic detail. The novel starts with a quick background glance, almost in the style of Robert Graves. At first making one wonder if he should take notes on the involved, intertwined historical roots. But with his usual skill at juggling a superfluity of characters, the author soon puts us at ease as he keeps each personality in its proper perspective and never lets us become confused by the unfamiliar names and customs. The important characters are kept in vivid foreground motion; those who are peripheral remain in the background The story devolves basically upon the interaction of the Czar and his fictional; half-brother, Dmitri, who is also the first-person narrator.
With classic, prideful enthusiasm, Dmitri guides us through the early years of Ivan’s reign, and eventually into the black chasm of depravity, torture and madness as this classic tyrant became the ferocious beast best remembered in history. The essence of the novel lies in the relationship between these two men, beginning with Dmitri’s unquestioning loyalty and near adoration for his childhood friend, until in one of the later chapters he has to admit even to himself that “The Czar is Mad!” All the horror is brought before us in gut-wrenching detail as Ivan destroys everyone around him, until one day Dmitri is in the Czar’s palace, where one of his former sycophants lies in agony on the richly carpeted floor, every bone in his body having been broken by his torturers. The Czar says that this is the proper fate for this man, the last of the evil beings who led him into a life of sin and debauchery. It is at this point that Dmitri thinks, “No, he is not the last. I am the last!” And after this he begins to plan his escape.
The carefully researched historical sequences, amplified by the author’s skill bring us into close focus on the dramatic scenes of Ivan’s executions, the burning of Moscow, the Byzantine ceremonies played against a background of betrayal and conspiracy. The murder of the Metropolitan and the scenes of debauchery committed by the Opritchniki are all a part pf this great, sprawling novel. It is not a book you will put down easily, nor is it a story you will soon forget.
Hard cover, 642 pages. Order Item: CZAR! $35.00 (Please include double postage. Overseas shipment will be by surface mail unless the buyer wants to pay the outrageous newly imposed postage rates.)
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The case of the SEVERED HEAD
An original L.T. Publications novel of mystery, murder and SM. One of L.T.’s most brutal! Read on for Joseph Bean’s comments. (Joseph was former director of the Leather Archives and Museum in Chicago, after serving as editor of International Leatherman and several others, including The Bear magazine..
This is an excerpt from the Joseph Bean review, first published in International Leatherman : There is a piece of magic required if a writer is to produce any fiction worth reading more than once, all the more so if the book is “mystery and suspense.” Now let’s up the ante to the max. We’re talking about Larry Townsend, and we all know something about him — that much less mystery and suspense, right?
Wrong.
This is a mystery with layers enough to stay mysterious through many readings, a tale of suspense that ever quite completely explains itself, meaning it stays suspenseful at some levels long after a few readings. I know as well as you do that Larry Townsend will be remembered for generations as the founder of the feast with regard to SM nonfiction, but The Leatherman’s Handbook will not always be relevant. The Case of the Severed Head will be meaningful and interesting and a good example of excellent writing as long as people read printed pages.
If you ever wished you could bash back the fag-bashers, you’ll love The Severed Head. If you ever wondered how homophobes could be like that or ever wished for a match to igniter your own antibigotry energy, you need The Severed Head. Oh, and if you sometimes wish for a book that’s just a fucking page-after-page pleasure to read, that’s another good reason to pick up The Severed Head.
Order Item: HEAD $16.95
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DREAMMASTERS
This is a collection, containing five of L.T.’s favorite short stories, which includes his novelette SchoolMaster, the author’s personal favorite. This is the story of a naïve young teacher, hired onto the faculty of a high-end private boys’ (boarding)school during WWII. eHe is quickly dominated by one of the older boys, until he becomes the youngster’s virtual slave. A really great novelette! The title story, DreamMaster is one of L.T.’s great fantasy stories, wherein a graduate student learns to exert a mental control over some otherwise very commanding young men. (This book was reprinted with cover art we cannot show on site. If you order and receive one of these books, please be assured that the written content has not been abridged or altered in any way.
Order Item: DREAM $14.95
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THE LEATHERMAN’S HANDBOOK
This is the New Millennium Edition, up-dated for our contemporary lifestyles and health issues. It contains all of the original subjects and the vignettes that characterized the original. Ever since its first publication by Olympia Press in 1971, it has been the “bible” of the leather/SM community. Like a gift from father to son, innumerable Tops have given this book to their beginning slaves to help them learn the ropes. Written with intelligence, understanding and humor, heavily laced with lust and sexuality, this is the “must have” book for every leatherman.
Order Item: HB $19.95
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THE LEATHERMAN’S HANDBOOK II
Originally published in 1982, this sequel delves more deeply than the original into many specialties and specific pieces of equipment. It has its own collection of vignettes and brief accounts of SM encounters. It stands as a worthy companion piece to the original. It has also been up-dated to advise the reader on the latter day issues and problems we face today.
Order Item: HBII $19.95
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THE LEATHERMAN’S HANDBOOK (unabridged version)
This is the first version of this classic work, using the same typeset as the 1971 Olympia Press original. Complete and unabridged. Only the cover has been changed.
Order Item: HB Original (Please note, most of these books have suffered some minor damage or slight scuffing of the cover.)
Order Item: ORIG HB $16.95
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A SLAVE’S GAMBIT
This is a short novel of two very spoiled, very attractive American twins from a wealthy family, kidnapped in Rome and sold into Arab slavery in North Africa. There is some heavy torture, compassionate love, and family loyalties twisted into a plot of brutal revenge. The action is fast and furious. (Cover art by Olaf.)
134 Pages, soft cover
ORDER ITEM: ASG $16.95
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OF MEN, ROPES AND REMEMBRANCE
This is an anthology of L.T.’s short stories, mostly reprinted from the pages of Bound and Gagged magazine. A stunning collection of leather and bondage tales in a variety of settings, ranging from contemporary United States to Nazi Germany, to outer space. It includes a couple that were too heavy for the B&G editors.
148 Pages, soft cover.
ORDER ITEM: MEN&ROPES $16.95
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STALKED, An Anatomy of Sexual Obsession
Set in West Hollywood and San Francisco, this novel tells the story of two young men set on a disastrous course. One is a handsome, increasingly successful film star, the other an obsessed stalker who will stop at nothing to possess the man who once gave him a brief taste of the rope. There is love and betrayal, some brutal murders, and one of L.T.’s most shocking conclusions.
237 Pages, soft cover.
ORDER ITEM: STALKED $16.95
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A CONTAGIOUS EVIL, The Mind of a Serial Killer
This novel tells the story of a completely evil man, in prison, awaiting execution for a string of brutal murders, committed simply to satisfy his lust. Unrepentant, he has refused to offer any accounting of his crimes until he is interviewed by a seemingly naïve young man, whom the killer senses he can manipulate into his own image. In his attempt, he manages to infect several young guys with his depraved philosophies. A very involved, convoluted plot.
245 Pages, soft cover.
ORDER ITEM: EVIL $16.95
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A BINDING PASSION, An Anthology of SM Stories
This is a collection of 18 short stories, all but two from the pages of Bound & Gagged magazine; the other two, longer tales, are from the author’s privately published Treasury of SM series. Settings range from contemporary americana to WWII Europe, to the jungles of Guatemala, to a futuristic space station. In all, it is a startling overview of the writer’s unique, imaginative treatment of his characters’ passions, loves, and lusts. A truly exciting collection of a darker sexuality.
223 Pages, soft cover.
ORDER ITE M: PASSION $16.95
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THE HOUNDS OF HELL and other SM stories
The title story is actually a short novel, involving the mutual love and loyalty of three very macho guys. When one becomes the victim of a sadistic serial killer, the pursuit and eventual revenge are staggering! Very heavy action! Definitely not for the faint of heart. One of the short stories. The Youthfuls, is a graphic semi-biographical account of an incident from the author’s youth.(suitably embellshed, of course.)
224 Pages, soft cover.
ORDER ITEM: HOUNDS $16.95
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RUN, LITTLE LEATHER BOY / RUN NO MORE
Originally published by Olympia Press in 1971, RLLB was L.T.’s first novel from this house, released immediately ahead of The Leatherman’s Handbook. It is a coming-out in leather story, set in New York City, a few “better” East Coast schools, in the secret SM clubs of London\, and in a moldering Bavarian castle. This novel, plus its sequel RNM set forth an exciting saga of one spoiled young man’s indoctrination into the inner sanctums of leather/SM. A long-time classic that has never been out of print. Presented here, both under one cover.
278 Pages, soft cover.
ORDER ITEM,: RLLB/RNM $16.95
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MASTER OF MASTERS
This science fiction novel is crafted from the year-long serial featured in the privately produced Leatherman’s Workbook series. It is the futuristic story of men living as outcasts, in command of their own spaceship, where the SM hierarchy sets the standards for command, obedience, and interaction with an assortment of enemies. It is lavishly illustrated by Sean drawing, specifically commissioned for these pages. The story is told in the first person by a very stern, sometimes arrogant Master. (This is another book that has been re-issued with a different cover than the one depicted. If we run out of the original and need to supply the alternate, please be assured that only the cover is changed. The story and picture content is exactly the same.)
185 Pages, Soft cover.
ORDER ITEM MofM $ 16.95
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