The Book of Vice

This week I checked out Peter Sagel's Book of Vice from the Sapulpa Library. I was a little surprised that it was there, as the Sapulpa Library is tiny. But they must have a soft spot in their hearts for NPR hosts.

The book itself is engaging, I devoured it in two days. It tells of Sagel's tourist trip through a variety of vices including wife swapping, gambling, pornography, consumption and lying. The chapters, while always entertaining were a bit uneven. Self-deprecation only goes so far. Of course, no one is interested in talk to you at the wife swapping party if they don't have a chance of getting it on with you and your wife.

The chapters where he, and occasionally his wife, do get involved with the subjects are by far the most readable. Gambling is most fun when you have money on the line. His interviews with porn star and strippers seem to have the same themes.

But even when he's just documenting lying and consumption, Sagel was able to keep my interest. And I now know the best way to serve vodka at a party. Plus you can never go wrong with exploding tit cakes.