Bare Reality: 100 Women, Their Breasts, Their Stories Hardcover – 4 Jun. 2015

I do not read these types of books, SF, Horror, Computer science, Cycle Maintenance, that is my type of thing. When I saw this, I was intrigued. Would it be a discussion or a titillation book? Thankfully it is the former and not the latter.I am in the non-breastfed demographic so that could explain my fascination with all things female (chests) or perhaps I just like what I do not have. I have a partner of sorts and she cannot work out what my love of her chest is all about. My fascination has always been small boobs and she has just gone up a cup size. I am still fascinated by them. It would be safe to say I like them more than I like her. Though we both know it is not a relationship that will go anywhere. Mostly two passing ships.The book itself is a gorgeous set of stories about women and their most treasured (by me) item. Their soul. They talk about their boobs but really, they are just an extension of these wonderful, warm and funny individuals. There is a call girl in there and she is lovely. She knows what us men are like but does not think that it makes us any less human. Though special criticism must be given to the scary burlesque dancer. She is the scary type of woman that I have always run away from. Cold attitude to life and seems to have a very male outlook. (Shudders, thinking about her when he reviews his text).Laura has not shied away from anyone. We meet, young, old, deformed, trans and without a doubt 100 of the most beautiful women I have read about. I could wax lyrical about how I must like this book, but I will conclude by saying that this book is not just for women. Men can also read it and find out about their partners and how they feel about themselves. Of the 100 only 2 of them fit into what I think is a perfect chest. Strangely it also fits into the only two women that I have loved. Odd but true.

Pictures of topless women with their commentary about their breasts, showing what real breasts look like on real women with voice and humanity as priority (as opposed to air-brushing, underwires or uplifts). This is a desperately-needed bite of reality in an age of media lies. A vital, important piece of work that everyone in the west should read.

A frank and enlightening series of interviews with women, discussing their take on breasts & how they're viewed by the women themselves, other women, men, kids, our (western, U.K.?) culture & various media outlets.The book has several similarities to the online '007 breast' site, which has been running for a number of years, and likewise presents un-retouched photos of women's beasts along with text commentary; this book though, provides a more professional presentation of that format, both in terms of the photography, and structured interviews.As a guy, the subject of the males / UK medias fascination & objectification with women/breasts in British culture has interested me for some time.This book goes some way to answering some of those questions, and also highlights women's positive and negative impressions of themselves, attitudes of others, and the role breasts play in British culture - impressions that interestingly, often conflict with some of the other contributors. The discussions on breast cancer, surgical procedures, breastfeeding and women's perceptions of men's attitudes to breasts were particularly interesting; it was surprising & interesting to hear from some contributors how little discussion there is with their partners about sex & relationships.In criticism, I would say that the book would be more interesting if it had women from a wider set of backgrounds - it is overwhelmingly white & often British(?) women that are portrayed I think. More contributions from other nationalities, cultures and women of colour would be great, as it would flesh out the dialogue beyond the focus on white, western relationships & culture. I guess also that the nature of a project like this relies on volunteers with an interest in the subject, so may not get a full cross-section of women.The book is well worth a read, to hear a wide range of women's own perceptions of breasts & see some of what their real variety look like, rather than the purely media-friendly pictures and ideas we're often presented with.

Recommended reading for anyone interested in understanding how women differ in how they feel about their breasts. Some fascinating revelations here (and I don't mean the photographs!)

Amazing stories and as with Manhood, by the same author great and diverse photos

Wonderful concept.Beautiful book. Its not just about breasts. It is about people. And reality. Highly recommend!

Really worthwhile and informative

This is an important book. I read every word. I looked at every picture. I learnt. I'd say it's been a little transformational and definitely interesting. It gave me insight into women's changing relationships with their own bodies, in particular - the transformative power of breastfeeding! I also learnt more about the power of other woman's perceptions on women's decisions about how they might dress and behave, and a closer view on being in a relationship with a man, from a woman's point of view. They're just some of my insights...I'm now reading the sequel, 'Manhood' which I thought I'd maybe learn less from as it was my own gender talking but it's proving quite the opposite..more people should read these books and learn.

I got led to this book after reading The Guardian's excerpts from Laura Dodsworth's upcoming book Manhood. I have to say, I think they should be read as two complementary volumes. This is a fascinating, insightful, and reassuring read, exposing so many experiences and insecurities in a brilliant way. I love that the subjects' own words and stories are edited minimally, only for flow, and allowed to come through in each woman's voice. They are telling fascinating stories of their lives, prompted by an intimate encounter with an obviously talented and sensitive photographer who gives them the freedom to do so.

Some of us are slower to acknowledge and accept reality than others. I am one. We live in a culture where for decades, men have been daily assaulted by unrealistic, embellished, digitally-altered, airbrushed images of the female form. Laura Dodsworth's project has brought about a mental transformation by thinking differently because she has added to my knowledge, and informed my understanding and acceptance of the wide range of realistic women's body shapes, asymmetry and proportions. I am so grateful for her contribution to my continuing education, enlightenment, and body acceptance. As a consequence, I have renewed respect for the beginning lines of the first part of Rheinhold Neibuhr's Serenity Prayer..."God, give us grace to accept with serenitythe things that cannot be changed..."She and her participants have changed my attitude and ongoing acceptance of the physical attributes of women in my life, most of which are either genetically determined, or are predominantly the result of bearing children, nurturing their young, or natural physiologic changes over time. With much gratitude...

Perfecto para trabajar con mujeres que han superado un cáncer o que tienen problemas para aceptar su propio cuerpo. Recomendado para público en general y para profesionales de la Sexología y la Obstetricia.

weibliche Brüste ohne Fotoshop, so wie sie sind oder wie ihre Trägerinnen sie gestaltet haben.Ich mag das Buch, auch wenn ich an manchen Stellen denke, dass einiges typisch "englisch" ist. Aber es ist gut, über den Tellerrand zu sehne und Unterschiede und Gemeinsamkeiten (davon mehr!) zu sehen.Ich schau das Buch mit meiner 12-Jährigen Tochter an, sie fand es erst sehr seltsam, aber nun hat sie Spaß dran und vielleicht schafft es etwas Freiheit im Vergleich zu Germanys next top Model...

I was interesting to read how women feel, think, and relate to their breast. The pictures helped show the breasts in proportion with one another and the aftermath of cancer.