The Master's Manual
by Jack Rinella

A solid, no-nonsense approach to D/s relationships from the viewpoint of the dominant, This book describes the skills and attitude of a top-notch dominant.

The Compleat Slave: Creating and Living an Erotic Dominant/Submissive Lifestyle
by Jack Rinella

The followup to "The Master's Manual," this book is a practical hands-on approach to D/s relationships, from the perspective of the submissive.

SlaveCraft: Roadmaps for Erotic Servitude--Principles, Skills and Tools
by Guy Baldwin

Philosophical and intense, Slavecraft dares to delve beneath the surface of D/s relationships and gives us an intimate and revealing view from a rare perspective- that of a slave. The authors examine the psychology and spirituality behind the Master/ slave dynamic, and the result is a book that is resourceful, thought provoking and sexually charged. Beautifully written and intriguing.

Training With Miss Abernathy: A Workbook for Erotic Slaves and Their Owners
by Christina Abernathy

This book is a must read for anyone interested in either becoming or training erotic slaves. Abernathy's emphasis is on the fact that erotic slavehood is a vocation, something different for those for whom "BDSM" is more than fun and games or a spiced up sex life. Not for those who do not seriously value service and long term, intense preparation.

S&M: Studies in Dominance & Submission
by Thomas S. Weinberg

A series of essays written in the style of an academic text, this book supports the sociological idea that sadomasochism is not a pathology or deviant behavior, but a healthy sexual lifestyle of shared fantasies.

The New Topping Book
by Janet W. Hardy and Dossie Easton

Complete rewrite of the popular intorduction to BDSM written for dominants. In addition to the sage advice and good humor that made the first edition a classic, the authors tackle some of the issues that have come up for tops in the last six years: on-line domination, the challenges and rewards of `lifestyle` relationships, ensuring our own and our partners` safety, and more.

The New Bottoming Book
by Janet W. Hardy and Dossie Easton

Companion to The New Topping Book, written for submissives. Popular, well-written guide to dominance/submission play, bridging the gap from on-line to real-time relationships, the stages of a scene, and more. Plus anecdotes, and an extra-large helping of the realistic wisdom for which these authors are known.

Come Hither : A Commonsense Guide To Kinky Sex
by Gloria Brame

This book is a step-by-step, practical introductory guide to BDSM. It's written in a fun, lighthearted manner, and answers questions like "How do I tell my partner I want to be spanked?" and "Okay, once I have someone tied up, now what do I do?"

Erotic Surrender: The Sensual Joys of Female Submission
by Claudia Varrin

As the name suggests, this book is an introduction to submission from a female perspective. It's an excellent beginner guide to women who believe they may be submissive, and offers advice and insight into healthy submission. Warmly written, it's probably most useful to newcomers to D/s, and is less likely to be useful to anyone already in a D/s relationship.

Learning the Ropes: A Basic Guide to Safe and Fun S/m Lovemaking
by Race Bannon

A beginner's introduction to BDSM that debunks many of the myths surrounding S&M play and offers examples of scenarios and negotiation techniques. Also includes information on how to create an inexpensive toy collection, safety, finding partners, and a recommended reading list.

The Art of Sensual Female Dominance
by Claudia Varrin and Cynthia Lechan

This book, written by a professional dominatrix, offers scenario ideas, how-tos on bondage, and loads of practical advice, all from the perspective of a female dominant with a male submissive. Not likely to be useful to anyone not looking for information about female dominance/male submission, however. For those looking for a more general guide, SM101 is probably a better book.

A Defense of Masochism
by Anita Phillips

A thoroughly-researched look at masochism which examines masochism from the perspective of psychology, sociology, and art. The book interprets masochism as something that is not only not necessarily harmful, but actually positive. Written from the point of view of a female masochist, but applicable to men as well as women.

Jay Wiseman's Erotic Bondage Handbook
by Jay Wiseman.

An excellent how-to manual on all aspects of erotic bondage and bondage play.

The Seductive Art of Japanese Bondage
by Midori, Craig Morey (Photographer)

Japanese-born pro-domme and bondage practitioner Midori shows step by step how to achieve beautiful and exciting Japanese bondage. Each chapter starts with a spectacular photo of the finished bondage pose - harnesses, hogties, standing and bent-over poses, and more - then goes back and explains with text and line art how each rope and knot is placed to achieve the final result.

Safe, Sane, Consensual... And Fun
by John Warren

Fifteen hot scenarios for bondage, spanking, roleplay and power exchange. This updated edition of mild-to-wild sex scenes is entry-level guide for curious couples.

SM 101
by Jay Wiseman.

This is THE definitive introduction to BDSM; includes a good bit about the psychology of power exchange, why people want to do this kind of thing; ideas for BDSM play; safety tips; etc.

Screw the Roses, Send Me the Thorns
by Phillip Miller and Molly Devon.

Also highly regarded; an excellent all-around sourcebook for BDSM.

Different Loving
by Gloria Brame, William Brame, and Jon Jacobs.

A sourcebook and guide to many different kinds of BDSM play. There is also a companion Web site.

Flogging
by Joseph W. Bean.

A book that just intrigues and educates from cover to cover. Even if you've participated in this kink for years, you will learn new things. Not only is Joseph Bean great at including the safety, medical, and emotional interactions connected to flogging, but he's fantastic at teaching something that normally is only learned by doing.

Sexual Magic: The S/M Photographs
by Michael Rosen.

A photographic survey of the SM scene, in stylized, high-energy black and white photography. There is also a companion Web site.