"One of the many things I love about Aphrodite's Trade: The Hidden History of Prostitution Unveiled is that it teaches without prejudice, without malice, without cattiness. Written in a straight-forward manner and with true integrity, its deep insights into human nature make it easy to relate to. . . . This is the first book I've ever read that provides a holistic history of prostitution, from its beginnings as a survival mechanism in the mists of prehistory to its culmination in the 21st Century as a commercialized business. . . . Mr. Seabrook, a conservative-libertarian Christian, sees himself as following in the footsteps of others from this group who favored decriminalizing prostitution; namely Saint Augustine and the founder of The National Review, William F. Buckley, Jr." - XAVIERA HOLLANDER, author of the worldwide blockbuster The Happy Hooker.
"I'm thrilled with such a positive writing on women in the trade. Historians have always been the underpinnings of COYOTE's efforts to repeal the prohibition which puts all women in fear of the stigma and keeps us separated and unable to vote as a block to gain our freedom. Whores, housewives and lesbians and all those in between will be empowered by such a work as Aphrodite's Trade." - MARGO ST. JAMES, founder of COYOTE and founder and director emeritus of St. James Infirmary.
"The only book of its kind. Much needed and highly recommended!" - NORMA JEAN ALMODOVAR, author of Cop to Call Girl, and founder of ISWFACE.
"Excellent research, bold writing. Bravo! If only we had more works like Aphrodite's Trade, an enlightened society might have decriminalized prostitution by now. This is a book that everyone with an interest in sex workers' rights and women's rights should have on their shelf." - CAROL LEIGH, author of Unrepentant Whore and a founding member of ACT UP.
"Female prostitutes are truly the foot soldiers of the women's liberation movement. Cheers to author Lochlainn Seabrook for defending them so respectfully and for helping to dispel the many myths surrounding Aphrodite's Trade." - DOLORES FRENCH, author of Working: My Life as a Prostitute and founder of HIRE.
BOOK DEVIL REVIEW: "Lochlainn Seabrook's magnificent little history volume, Aphrodite's Trade: The Hidden History of Prostitution Unveiled, might as well be called 'How the Patriarchy Suppressed the Goddess, ' since that's an inevitable and central part of this volume. A libertarian and conservative - but mystic - Christian, Seabrook brings a surprising viewpoint to the material. This is not just 'How Hooking Started and Got To The Sorry State It's In Now.' Rather, Seabrook analyzes the religious roots of prostitution and documents the revered place it held for so long. Seabrook also analyzes how it made its descent to the unfair status it now holds in most parts of the world. . . . The author's 'Hidden History of Prostitution' is not the only thing unveiled. Seabrook also uncovers some rather eye-opening traces of spiritual matriarchy and sacred prostitution that can still be found in some rather major components of modern day orthodox Christianity (which suppressed ancient gnostic Christianity - something Seabrook has a few things to say about in another of his fine books, such as Christ Is All and In All). This short but arduously researched volume is a marvelous read and of interest to everybody from liberal feminists to (authentic) conservatives. Seabrook is a talented and multi-faceted historian, to be sure." - KRISTOFER UPJOHN.
