On the Down Low: A Journey Into the Lives of "Straight" Black Men Who Sleep With Men [Hardcover]

This book provides a great expose` into what is a tremendous public health issue. It is an eye-opening account that begs African-American women to be educated participants in the dating process and suggests that D.L. brothers be forthright with themselves and the ladies that they are with.

Thank you, Mr. King, for the courage that it took to write this book.

and J.L. King tells you exactly what's up and how "DL" brothers use the term "S'up?" or a nod and a longer than normal handshake to convey they are interested in another brother. It's a short book that can easily be read, as I did, in one day. J.L. King made a point to say that he felt more black men were heterosexual than homosexual, which I think was good for a black woman to know because when you do read this book and the graphic details of how these brothers on the down low hook up so easily and have unprotected sex with each other, you could easily become paranoid that your man or husband is on the down low. Particularly since most of the real-life scenerios he provided were with married men with children or men engaged to be married. I do recommend this book highly. I only hope that not only African-American women will read the book, but also African-American men who are living on the down low. I can respect J.L. King for coming clean and trying to educate black women of the dangers of HIV/AIDS and the link he feels it has through his research, to these DL brothers. I just hope it helps because even J.L. King mentions in the book on more than one occassion of how society puts pressure on women to get a man, and how he receives several emails from women asking him what they can do to keep their man away from men. I would have rated this book a five if it would have kept up the same intensity that it started with but toward the middle some of the messages he tried to convey seemed not only redundant but mixed. He definitely seemed to have a problem with men who have sex with men, yet he is one, maybe that's just my take on the book, but I kept saying to myself, he doesn't seem to like this behavior at all so why won't he stop? Is it an addiction that he's trying to stop? Also, for some reason, I couldn't get into the chapter on DL behavior types so I did speed read through that chapter. Probably, because I don't believe women can always look at a brother and based on this or that, such as behavior types, say, "yeah, he's on the down low," but I do have friends who do that and I've also done it before. If we say it enough, eventually, we'll be right. I agree more with what he suggests women do who feel something isn't right by getting nosey. I also agree, like he says, that we can't take it overboard and suspect for no reason and lose what was probably a good man. I definitely recommend you pick up the book, read it for yourself, and if you're suspecting a brother you're dealing with now may be on the DL, if you're right then I'm sure the sight of you reading J.L. King's book may have him thinking twice about telling you lies, and even if it doesn't be sure to discuss it with him, chapter by chapter. If he has any conscious, maybe he'll come clean or if not at least, pull a disappearing act so you won't have to go to the added expense of hiring a private detective. You've already wasted enough time, why add money to the equation. And to all the DL Brothers out there - please follow J.L. King's lead and get honest with women and of course, yourself.

-Reviewed by Cheryl for www.avid-readers.com

What you do in the dark will eventually surface to the light. Mr. King has stripped the covers from underneath this double lifestyle that many of our men are living. It's scarry. It makes a woman want to become a Nun. I appreciate his honesty. It took a lot of courage for him to come forth to reveal his sins of homosexuality and infidelity. I only hope that women will take heed to his message. Unfortunately, many will not and will find themselves in a heap of trouble. It was recommended to me to read a novel called "Lust Of The Flesh," and I am so glad that I read it. It was the best novel I ever read. It was different from all of the mainstream novels that are being written today. Lust Of The Flesh is full of entertainment, page-turning excitement. The author lets you know that there are consequences to your actions, without coming off as preachy. If anyone reads this review, PLEASE READ THE NOVEL: LUST OF THE FLESH. It is necessary. Kudos to the author of Lust Of The Flesh and to Mr. King. May God continue to bless your ministries.