For all of you who want to know something about the modern body piercing movement, I have chosen two from my collection (excuse Ivan in the photos--he wanted to help!):

Re/Search Modern Primitives, V. Vale, ed. 1989

A Brief History of the Evolution of Modern Adornment, Ancient Origins and Today, by Blake Perlingieri, 2003

Not pictured is "Running the Gauntlet" -- Jim Ward's collection of articles on the early body piercing movement in California, and the founding of The Gauntlet, the first body piercing studio. NOT TO BE MISSED! You can find the entire series of articles here:

http://www.bmezine.com/news/jimward-all.html

"Modern Primitives" is THE essential book for modern body art lovers. It is the seminal publication that, although it didn't start it all, really brought it out into the public. It's done in an interview/essay format, with black and white photos and drawings. There are interviews with some of the early body art pioneers, an uncredited photo of Elayne Angel's ass, an essay on piercing as ritual in MesoAmerica . . . it's a piece of history. And still available on Amazon for under $15. A bargain!

"A Brief History" is a book written "by piercers for piercers" by Blake Perlingieri of Nomad. I was fortunate enough to buy this directly from Blake at the APP and to hear his presentation on it. This book gets mentioned in both the "modern" and "ancient" history categories. In terms of modern body piercing, this book has a priceless look at some of the early 20th century body modification pioneers. Not only Fakir, but others, and it really gives you a glimpse of how those people lived and fought the system, and modified their bodies in secret. Fascinating! and available on Tribe, too!

So go, read . . . off you go. (stamps foot). Read!