Best in Show

Penises seem to be having a moment, thanks to full-frontal scenes in flicks like Sex and the City and Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Still, when The Big Penis Book — editor Dian Hanson’s coffee table tome celebrating specimens measuring eight or more inches — arrived at the office, we at MT thought long and hard (sorry, couldn’t resist) about recommending it to readers. But after sizing it up (sorry again), we realized you can never have too much of a good thing.

Sophomoric humor aside, Hanson’s book is actually informative (yes, there’s text). Besides exploring mankind’s preoccupation with prowess — from ancient phallic worship to enhancing codpieces in medieval times — Hanson chats with porn kings and other penis “experts,” like Jay Myrdal, the photographer who “created” 18-inch legend Long Dong Silver. For the record, Silver’s photos were doctored.

But don’t fret: There are plenty of authentic ones to ogle. The 384 pages are practically bursting with pictures of well-endowed stars like 11-incher John Holmes, Falcon Studios favorite Chad Douglas and plenty of no-name everymen in whimsical poses — like one guy crouching over a mini cannon aimed at the same pitch as his erection. It all serves as a reminder: good things come in, well, big packages.

The Big Penis Book is available now from Taschen Books.

Bookmark this article

MORE WORDS ON MODERN TONIC

Dysfunction Junction

Matt Rothschild’s childhood was like something out of Gossip Girl. He lived in a 19-room apartment on Fifth Avenue, where he had a driver and a housekeeper. He ... more

Camera Shy

Before Britney Spears flashed her hoo-ha for photographers and Paris Hilton lived her life in front of cameras, some stars — real ones — weren’t always keen on ... more

The Single Life

Wake up. Go to work. Head to the gym. Flirt with a student. Welcome to a day in the lonely life of George, a 58-year-old gay college professor at the center of ... more

Living History

It’s been a pretty good year for gays, all things considered: A third state legalized same-sex marriage; celebrities continued to flee the closet; and one poll even ... more

We Love Los Angeles

The vintage images in Bruce of Los Angeles: Inside/Out spark such a sweet rush of excitement that you almost want to shove this coffee-table tome in your sock drawer. ... more

The Impossible Dream

When our forefathers spoke of The American Dream, did they mean that we all have the right to make it big in showbiz? That seems to be one interpretation floating around, ... more