REVIEW: What's the Big Deal About Pornography?

What industry generates more than $90 billion a year, more revenue than

Google, Microsoft or Apple? What industry receives $3,075 in online

sales from more than 28,000 people every second?This same industry once only survived from those bold enough to walk to

a shady area of town to buy a magazine or see a movie. Now, this

industry dominates screens, books and magazines everywhere.

      It's the industry of pornography, and Dr. Jill Manning's book is here to tell us why it is such a big deal.

      In her book, What's the Big Deal About Pornography?, Manning

seeks to "arm you with truths the pornography industry does not want

you to know." Manning is a practicing marriage and family therapist in

Denver. The book is an "expanded version" of therapy sessions held with

a group of adolescent boys who had a pornography addiction.

      One of the major strengths of the book comes from Manning's

clarity. There is no question as to what pornography is or what its

effects can be. Manning's argument is compelling, convincing and

critical.

      The book begins with her definition of pornography, which is more specific than what many teenagers might think.

      Manning writes that "pornography is material specifically

designed to arouse sexual feelings in people." This comes from more

than graphic Web sites and late-night cable television programming. She

identifies music videos and other media as pornographic though they are

not commonly labeled as such.

      Manning leaves no excuse and has no toleration for pornography in