This is a fascinating book which mixes personal observations and historical background to reveal, with insight and humor, a number of religious quests in contemporary America. For me the most satisfying chapter was "A Busy Mosaic: Islam in New York City." After September 11, we have come to demonize Islam as a religion of hate and terrorism. What this chapter reveales is the binding sense of community that has drawn to Islam in America a disparate group--including those seekers from other faiths. Islam is not an easy religion to follow, and I was profoundly moved by Gooch's ability to describe how the principles of the Moslem faith become the string that binds people together even in the most distracting city in the world--New York. The extent to which Thomas Merton has influenced several generations of monks was also a revelation to me. For someone like myself, who is not religious but religious curious, I admired the non-hokey tone of the book.

A good book takes you on a journey...this one will take you on a spiritual marathon. Gooch's writing, a graceful blend of intellect, humor and straightforwardness, left me longing for more...each chapter like a visit to a small story book town...a town you don't want to leave. From the mysterious Sadler and Book Urantia to the minimalistic way of life of the Trappists, to the detailed accounts of Jerry Falwell's ministry, the experiences reads with a naked, rich, insightful, yet intangible simplicty, the very core of what one hopes religion is truly about. Gooch is on the pulse...genius.

This book really does cover the golden age. great characters, atmosphere, sex, sense of time and place. It almost felt like looking at an old photo album before the world changed on us.

I first discovered Brad Gooch's work when I was not quite a year out of a relationship. He inspired me then with Scary Kisses, and has yet once again found a way to do the same.

Gooch has a style unmatched today. He draws you into his novel's with his intricate detail of character, which makes you feel as if you are one of their "friend's" along for the journey. When the novel has ended you are left with a sense of nostalgia, feeling you'll miss visiting with your "fiend's" every night.

I waited years to find another novel by such a talented and gifted writer, luckily I found it with the same one as before.

"The Golden Age of Promiscuity" is truly another work of art, from one of this centuries most talented writer's; and will certainly last throughout history.

I loved his first two novels (and could not be bothered to even read the "boyfriend within" thing). Anyway, I was hoping for a lot more. This is well witten, but just does not seem to go anywhere.

Almost anything you could say about this slim book's story is going to reveal too much. It unveils Zombie's journey in a fluid and logical way. The reader is left with no doubt as to the reality of Zombie and the people he comes into contact with on his very unusual and educating trip to understanding what makes him a character for all time.

Gooch's writing style, alone, makes this a worthy read. I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book, but I found myself compelled to read page after page, chapter after chapter.

The narrative is free-flowing and refreshing, and at the same time coherent, which makes it a potent vehicle for this noire tale. I was especially taken by the ending. The level of emotion was extremely high, which reflects Gooch's masterful character development.

The horror between the covers lies in the fact that the characters are believable and may very well exist; the myth is in their relationships: so clear and well defined, master and servant, no questions asked. I couldn't think of a better story for a zombie to take part in.

By looking at the book cover, I thought that it would have lots of nude pictures, etc. And from the book title, I assumed this is a picture book about those models having fun after dark. But in reality, it is just a book of different male models in different poses. It only has a few nude pictures. Nothing too exciting, I think.

what a disappointment. mostly cliched and contrived images that lack emotional and visual impact. what should be provocative images come across as awkward and rehearsed. for the real thing, check out testino!

"Fun ? Game: Male Models After Dark is a fascinating blend of the sexual and the silly, the enticing and the amusing: it's a collection of snaps taken by the uni-named fashion photog Lalli while casting for Calvin Klein; the bodies are mostly sheathed in slight briefs or lightly-draped shirts, and it's not a fount of full-frontal. But it is a colorful eyeful of good-looking goofs, a reminder that models have personalities. - review excerpt from RL at A Different Light Books

I read this book with an open-mind...yet my mind was forced to wander by about the second chapter where he endlessly talks about all of his "friends" in Upper Manhattan.

I think Gooch wrote this book to make himself feel better about himself! I didn't really leave with anything substantial to take away other than the fact that Gooch likes to eat at fine restaurants in New York, and likes lit candles near his bed. Is this a book or a dating ad?!!

I think the endless self-absorption in this book would also be a turn-off for future boyfriends (of the people who read this book).

Maybe the problem isn't necessarily one not knowing what our "inner boyfriend" wants, but concentrating too much on that entity.

This self-help book for gay man is full of exercises in which one can get in touch with the person within oneself, the one who lingers deep in our unconscious and the one who attempts to speak words of wisdom. Often gay men wonder why they do not have a boyfriend. Gooch is writing that all men do and he is within them. By find this friend people, gay or straight, can come to know themselves better, make better choices and rely on their own resources for deriving meaning from life. Upon achieving this, anyone, gay or straight, can be a better lover, husband, wife or friend.

For five of the six chapters the exercises described by Gooch seemed simple enough as well as perhaps a bit simple. In Chapter 6 Gooch write that love makes you feel loved. He was not discussing romantic love, which can certainly be a part of this love. He was speaking more directly to the kind of love that comes out of oneself. He spoke of volunteering. He wrote of responding to "charitable" causes or acts, such as visiting a sick friend. In these activities, Gooch advises the reader that one can experience a good feeling, but more important this type of loving nourishes one's own need to be loved. Love makes you feel loved.

This insight is probably nothing new to people who practice various religions. But it is an insight that needs constant renewing. I think it is the most valuable chapter of Gooch's book.

Gay people would do well by reading this book. While its insights may seem simple and simplistic, following the exercises can actually help to re-focus on one's most important values. A sort of examination of conscience without the guilt.

Only one nagging question after this read: Why has it taken so long for a gay man to write a book offering intelligent, sensible advice that doesn't scorn, judge, or drown one in psycho babble nonsense? Clearly Mr. Gooch possesses the experience, intelligence, thoughtfulness, and guts to tell it like it is for himself and for so many gay men and to then follow up with smart, witty, reasonable alternatives to the vicious cycle of self-eradicating behavior that so many us have fallen into. Sharp, funny, helpful...Gooch's honest take on contemporary gay life makes this a refreshing, pleasurable read that fuses a healthy dose of self reflection with humor. MORE PLEASE!

It's not surprising that Brad Gooch, a professional homosexual, writes a book that makes Frank O'Hara appear to be nothing more than another professional homosexual. Actually, Gooch may be right. O'Hara is an incredibly minor figure in American poetry, and this books devotes too much print to a third-rate writer who would probably best be forgotten.

This book focused way too much on O'Hara's sex life and not enough on his work. The prose style is tedious, and I found myself skimming it through all the excruciating details about the poet's various lovers. The reader snoozes, O'Hara loses.

City Poet goes past the Frank O'Hara that readers get to know so well through his poetry. If you have read and enjoyed O'Hara's work, this book gives you the biographical background to bring your appreciation full circle. It is no quick read, but it allows you to appreciate the man behind the words through meticulous interviews with everyone who knew him.