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Paperback
Publisher: Kensington
Ask anyone who the biggest name in gay porn is and they'll tell you, "Michael Lucas." Ask what he's like and you'll get the gamut of replies: He's a smart, shrewd businessman who studied law and loves the opera. A witty raconteur who doesn't drink, smoke or do drugs. A loyal son who is close to his family. Bracingly honest. Ruthless. A hot top with a killer body. Sexy. Razor-tongued and iron-fisted. Michael Lucas has been called everything on his climb from rent boy to running the most successful gay porn business in the entire world--but he's never been called boring. Now, in this no-holds-barred biography, Corey Taylor delivers a delicious portrait of gay porn's hottest maverick. From the start, Michael Lucas challenged the stereotype of a porn star. He did not grow up in an abusive family. Instead, he was born and raised in Soviet Russia as Andrei Treyvas to a close-knit family of outspoken, intellectual Russian Jews. The shy, skinny kid grew up to be a handsome man determined to make his mark on the world--and how. From his start as an escort in Europe, to his hustling days in America, making the money he would invest in his own company, Lucas Entertainment, Michael's life is inspiring, provocative, and 100% candid--no filter. NAKED lays bare the fascinating, often surreal life of a sexy, complex man who has set his own standards and played by his own rules. Chock full of outrageous quotes and "you've got to hear this" stories, this is one biography just like its subject: one of a kind.
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| A Biography of A Self Righteous Jerk! |
| Customer Rating: 1 out of 5 |
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I rated this book a one, not because of the writing....but because of the self centered obnoxious person it was written about. Talk about a lothsome individual! I got tired of reading about his idiocyncracies and the fact that he his handsome and has a good body and likes sex, lots of sex. Chi Chi LaRue had apparently tried to convince Lucas not to co-operate with the author who was doing the book....and I assume it's because she knew how he would come off. Basically, there is nothing redeeming about Lucas. He is a self centered, idiot. He believes in himself, yes, but basically thinks everyone should act and be like him. He thinks he has all the answers to everything. Yet there is nothing, even remotely, interesting about him at all. I think people just put up with him because he is moderatly successful in the porn world. I would suggest he seek psychiatic help, however he would only poo-poo the doctor saying he knew more than he did...so how could he help him. One has to be aware of his problems before he is able to conquer them, however Lucas doesn't feel there is room for improvement in his life. It is perfect, as he feels he is. Well, he thinks he has all the answers. This book proves he has none! Basically, he's a jerk that thinks too highly of himself. JERK!
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| Not Impressed With His Life |
| Customer Rating: 2 out of 5 |
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Michael Lucas doesn't seem to care what people think of him, so whatever I write here won't matter much. But I didn't think the book was that great. It seemed to be written in a very awkward style. Very repetitious. I got tired of hearing how wonderful Michael Lucas is, and how successful is he, and how pleased he is with his life, etc., etc., etc. The chapter with his talk to Yale should have been ommited as that had all been covered previously. Michael makes a big deal on several occasions on how he doesn't do drugs, yet it said he was on anti depressants, so I guess his life isn't ALL that together, huh?? He thinks he is this wonderful, fabulous philanthropist and should be taken around on a sedan chair like the Popes of old. He absolutely hates religion he says yet when he talks about his good fortune he'll say "Thank God....". If you don't believe, don't invoke His name Michael. I do agree with his thoughts about Islam but I don't agree with his other politics. He is a perfect example of a hedonistic, capitalist. He moans and groans about his mother's illness which of course is unfortunate, and I read where she died in April--but that is an example of real life and Michael likes glitz, glamour and glory because he has his nose up in the air. He's going to get old and unattractive someday too, just like everyone else. Someday hopefully he'll realize that he puts his pants on the same way as everyone else. I read his story, but I'm not all that impressed. Despite what he thinks, being a porn star--and a mega porn star at that, is not all that impressive.
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| This book is a disaster |
| Customer Rating: 1 out of 5 |
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I picked up a copy of this book, hoping to get some insight into the character Michael Lucas; pornographer, prostitute, and New York City nightlife commentator of some note. What I got instead was a poorly written, 270-page treacly valentine by an overly smitten fan.
They say that the cardinal sin of any biographer is that they get too close to their subject; this book is a prime example of that danger. Corey Taylor makes no bones about his intense admiration for Mr. Lucas (going so far as to profess his love for Mr. Lucas's work and character in the book in the first person), and therefore loses any objectivity when covering the subject. The book is intellectually dishonest, biased, and in the end, not that revealing. We learn much more about Mr. Lucas's wardrobe (Armani seems to be a favorite), and the fact that he enjoys selling his used clothes, than anything substantive about Mr. Lucas's start in the porn business, which is touched on only in a slight way. The author focuses time and time again on Mr. Lucas's business acumen, "street smarts", and his persistence (the phrase used over and over is "he always gets what he wants"). However, even the events set forth in the book raise questions. When in Russia, Mr. Lucas was the head of an allegedly successful travel company; somehow, the company collapsed, yet the entire incident is glossed over in three lines. However, the author treats us to page after page (approvingly) of Mr. Lucas's attempt over a seven-year period to collect on a bounced check from one of his former clients (an obsession that seems to border on pathological). Throughout the book, incidents are always recounted from Mr. Lucas's perception, and events are always cast in his favor. The author makes no effort to independently investigate any historical facts, even when inconsistencies jump off the page; he merely opts time and time again to repeat Mr. Lucas's take on things. It almost seems that the author feared losing Mr. Lucas's favor; indeed, I found it telling that in the end, the author had to admit that Mr. Lucas himself cut off all access. I would think an act like that probably would have spurred a better author to start digging; Mr. Taylor, on the other hand, wilts like a jilted lover who still carries a torch for his man.
The manuscript reads like a freshman English Comp. essay, full of awkward sentences and grammatical mistakes, and not a whit of tone or tempo - one has to wonder whether Mr. Taylor's editor at Kensington Press was out of the office on vacation when the proofs came in. Which is a shame; Mr. Lucas's story does seem to have the makings of an interesting tale (Russian immigrant, law school graduate, former Falcon model now behind the camera, with approving parents). However, the author lets us down time and time again. If you're looking for anything resembling a "backstage pass" into the porn business, skip this book (I think you will find "Making It Big", featuring Chi Chi LaRue, a more fulfilling read). If you're already a fan of Mr. Lucas's, skip this book as well; it will not tell you anything you don't already know. If you're not a fan, skip this book as well; there's nothing in here worth reading.
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| Superman Lucas |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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Taylor, Corey. "Naked: The Life and Pornography of Michael Lucas", Kensington Books, 2007.
Lucas Superman
Amos Lassen and Literary Pride
Now that pornography has become part of modern American life, more and more people are aware of it but how many people besides gay men have any idea of who Michael Lucas is. After reading Corey Taylor's biography of Lucas, I can tell you that he is quite a man--cultured, educated and a brilliant businessman who has made a fortune as a porn producer, director and actor. He also exudes charisma.
Born to humble Russian beginnings in 1972 as Andrei Treyvas, he immigrated to the United States in the mid 90's. He is a former male prostitute and an outspoken advocate for safe sex and social justice. His first porn movie was heterosexual "trash" but he quickly moved to gay fare and made a lot of money and won a lot of awards. His DVD sales are among the highest in the porn industry. He maintains a relatively anonymous lifestyle.
We see a completely different Michael Lucas in this book that we see on video. Taylor has written a biography that is full of life and interesting tidbits. Lucas completely reshaped the gay porn industry and the fact that Lucas is a man with a big heart (among other things) makes this book all the more readable and endearing. He chased a dream and caught it and he personifies those who come to America to live a good life.
The biography looks at the industry of gay porn through the eyes of a man who has helped shape it. Because Lucas was both a Jew and a homosexual, he felt compelled to leave his native Russia and after two years of prostitution in Eastern Europe and came to America. He had experiences with those in the drug trade even though he, himself, is not a user. In fact, he does not drink, smoke or take drugs. Beginning his gay porn career with what was then the best of companies, Falcon, he eventually left after making four movies and in 1998 he started Lucas Productions.
Focusing on himself as a businessman, his operation quickly grew. He has special requirements for his actors and his movies are all professional to the letter of the word,
For all of you who like the "dirt", it is also there. Sordid stories populate the pages but there is also a legitimate commentary on the nature and importance of porn.
This is another of those books you won't put down until you finish it. It is fascinating and well written and a tribute to a man who deserves to have his story told.
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| What are we blushing for? Taylor has written us an opera! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I have to admit it. I really had no idea who Michael Lucas was before I heard about this book. Sure, I had come across his face from time to time (no pun intended) when surfing the web for ummm...sexual content for research, yeah that's it. But other than that, I'd never seen the man in action, literally. But, being a fan of Corey Taylor, I have patiently been waiting for his next book. And here was my chance to catch up on what I've been missing out on in the world that is Michael Lucas.
Like many a porn star, Lucas is a hot immigrant who came to the states for a totally different reason. In rolls the need for artistic expression and the rest is history. But this is not just any boring bio penned from the mouth of your every day porn player for anyone who cares to listen. Taylor exposes us to how Lucas shaped the industry, despite its negative headlines at the onset of HIV.
Lucas' struggle for a name in film, and his advocacy for safe sex, definitely put him on the map and fast. Yeah, I'm sure every porn star has a story or two to tell, and readers are in search of only two things: the off screen deep dish to make us laugh or the smut to make us aroused. I'm not saying you won't find either of those here, but take a second to appreciate the story that Corey Taylor has handed us. It is truly one with heart, despite the character at the center of attention, that might inspire you to keep chasing down that dream and fighting for what you believe in.
Kudos to Corey Taylor for shedding a new spot light on the gay porn industry and one man, Michael Lucas, who rules the stage!
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